Activities Therapist

Job Summary:

Provides a therapeutic environment for patients through intake assessments, individual and/or group psychotherapy and crisis intervention.

Population served based on scope of services in the department.

Essential Responsibilities:

1.Facilitates intake assessments, individual and group psychotherapy sessions, and crisis intervention.

2.Documents outcomes in the medical record.

3.Assesses the patient’s therapeutic and recreational activities needs.

4.Carries out the plans for activities therapy as designed, evaluates the patient’s response to the planned interventions, and makes decisions regarding the continuation or revision of the treatment plan.

5.Provides for an on-going and active schedule of leisure time activities for the patient population.

6.Initiates crisis interventions to address recipient’s acute distress and associated behaviors and documents outcomes.

Education and Experience Requirements:


* Bachelor’s Degree in Activities/Recreational Therapy; Art Therapy; Dance/Music Therapy.


* Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in a psychiatric setting.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Requirements:


* Knowledge of psychological methods aimed to help individuals change and overcome unwanted behaviors.


* Knowledge of interpersonal communication, and relationships, human behavior, prevention and crisis intervention for treatment and rehabilitation, and to enhance clients’ physical, mental, and emotional health.


* Knowledge of statistics and analytical methods as they relate to the systematic collection of data as a way to monitor the success or failure of a treatment plan or program.


* Knowledge of the confidential relationship(s) between client and therapist, as well as cultural, individual and role differences including those based on age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status.


* Knowledge needed to conduct scientific research and teach students and other professionals the latest therapeutic methods of art therapy.


* Broad knowledge of art techniques and forms, with an ability to encourage participation, creativity, and imagination.


* The ability to personally create art, and direct the creative process through thoughtful encouragement, in an effort to improve communications, allow expression of feelings, improve coordination, and increase cognitive and social function.


* The ability to actively conceptualize, analyze, apply, and/or evaluate information gathered from observation, experience, reasoning, or communication.


* The capacity to empathize with and teach clients with various communication or behavioral deficits, learning disorders, emotional problems, mental retardation, and physical disabilities.


* The ability to juggle multiple tasks, prioritize projects and focus on desired outcomes.


* Time management, setting reasonable goals, and systematicall...