Position: Art / Play Therapist
Full time, Temporary
Department: Family Resources
Reporting to: Program Manager
Hours: 40 hours/week
Salary: $30.60
Duration of Contract: June 1, 2025 to December 23, 2025
Position Summary:
This position provides art or play therapy programs to Children and Families that are responsive to the needs of the community. The Art/Play Therapist is part of a team that provides targeted groups that address issues supporting children’s mental health and are run in the community as well as supporting internal Merrymount programs.
Core Performance Dimensions
1. Ability to carry out centre’s philosophy: Undertakes on-going education, training and reading to enhance work-related abilities and performance. Maintains familiarity with agency philosophy, mission statement and goals. Attends in-service sessions.
2. Support of organization: Shares ideas, suggestions and information with Managers and co-workers related to Merrymount’s programs and the communities the agency serves. Makes families and community contacts aware of Merrymount’s services and resources. Participates in community committees on Merrymounts’s behalf.
3. Teamwork: Helps and supports all other team members in accomplishing individual, team, and agency goals, and in maintaining good work relationships within the team and with other teams. Participates actively and constructively in team meetings, in developing and implementing program objectives, ideas and activities, in team problem-solving and in team debriefing.
4. Interpersonal skills: Treats all children, family members, staff, volunteers, community contacts and visitors with respect, courtesy, and kindness. Makes clients feel welcome and comfortable. Resolves conflicts with co-workers privately, directly, and constructively, if possible.
5. Quality of service: Performs all work in accordance with agency philosophy, mission and goals, applicable laws and regulations, agency policies and procedures, program manuals and best practices. Ensures client records are complete, accurate and timely.
6. Productivity: Manages own time and the resources under his/her control efficiently and productively to complete all work effectively, on time, with minimum waste.
7. Health and Safety:
• Know, understand, and comply with all legal and agency health and safety requirements. Do not engage in pranks, horse play or other disorderly conduct.
• Use, inspect and maintain all legal and agency required protective devices such as personal protective equipment (PPE), pre-use equipment inspections, tools, etc. Do not use any defective protective device or use the protective device in an unsafe manner.
• Report required health and safety matters such as incidents, health and safety concerns, defective protective devices, unsafe acts, hazardous conditions, legal contraventions, first aid treatments, work refusals, etc.
• Report emergencies and initiate appropriate emergency actions as required or delegated.
• Participate in the Return-to-Work process including obtaining medical documentation describing restrictions, identifying suitable job activities within capabilities, maintaining communication with agency, do not work outside restrictions, etc.
Major Responsibilities:
1. Responsible for running multiple children’s mental wellness groups to meet the needs of the community, working with children aged 6-12 years and their parents/caregivers.
2. Plans, organizes, and schedules groups to meet community & partner needs both within the agency and at times in the community,
3. Consults and follows up with partners and/or parents regarding child’s needs, program activities and outcomes.
4. Makes Merrymount staff aware of services.
5. As requested, works with other staff and/or partners to determine needs and plan and carry out activities for individuals.
6. Creates new programs and selects, adapts, or develops curriculum and materials for programs, and purchases materials and supplies.
7. Uses effective, appropriate art/play therapy methods in accordance with recognized best practices and professional standards.
8. Participates in developing measurement criteria and evaluating programs.
9. Contributes to teamwork by assisting other staff as needed, and working collaboratively with other staff, professionals in other disciplines, service coordination teams and/or community partners.
10. Promotes full utilization of programs and services.
11. Stays up to date in the field and undertakes appropriate continuing education and training.
12. Follows applicable health and safety measures including being fully vaccinated against COVID as per Marymount’s policy.
13. Works flexible hours to meet client, community, and program needs, this includes evening hours to meet the needs of families.
14. Utilizes the EMHware database to input clients and document services received.
Qualifications:
1. Required: Registered Art Therapist or Registered Play Therapist with an excellent knowledge of art or play therapy principles, methods, and techniques.
2. Required: Experience running targeted groups with children who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing mental health issues.
3. Knowledge gained through related experience and/or education of child development, family needs, trauma informed practices, attachment, mindfulness etc.
4. Knowledge of recognized group facilitation techniques. Strong group leadership and facilitation skills.
5. Able to work independently, initiate action, manage projects and get things done.
6. Strong teamwork, consultation, and collaboration approach.
8. Creativity in program or curriculum development.
9. Adaptable and flexible; able to work effectively with a variety of programs, people, and environments.
10. Strong interpersonal skills, including interaction with children and parents; approachable; manner; able to connect with parents informally.
11. Effective in initiating contacts and gaining respect and confidence of professionals and organizations at all levels.
12. Must have a valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle.
How to Apply:
Send resume to lcross@merrymount.on.ca
WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Merrymount welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities, persons of colour, indigenous persons and other individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives who can contribute to our inclusive work environment. Necessary accommodation during the recruitment process is available upon request.
Your interest in this opportunity is appreciated, however, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Successful candidates, as a condition of a job offer, will be required to provide a satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check (original document) and proof of educational attainment.