Creative Arts Therapist Job at OnPoint NYC in New York

Overview

OnPoint NYC is seeking a compassionate Creative Art Therapist with a strong understanding of harm reduction principles to support individuals impacted by drug use, trauma, and mental health challenges. This role integrates creative expression with therapeutic techniques in a non-judgmental, client-centered environment to promote healing, self-awareness, and empowerment throughout. The ideal candidate values autonomy, meets individuals where they are, and contributes to a trauma-informed, inclusive care team.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate brief interventions in the drop-in center, the holistic center and the overdose prevention center, engaging participants and educating them about services.
• Plan and facilitate trauma-informed, culturally responsive art sessions tailored to individuals and groups, with a focus on those active in or recovering from drug use.
• Provide expressive therapy sessions using art, music, movement, or drama-based techniques.
• Provide strategic guidance for developing/maintaining arts programming across the organization including curricular design, facilitator training/support, and outcomes documentation.
• Integrate harm reduction principles into therapeutic practice, supporting participant autonomy, safety, and dignity without requiring abstinence.
• Utilize range of creative arts to help participants process trauma, explore emotions.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams including case managers, peer support workers, nurses, and social workers to ensure coordinated care.
• Assess and develop individualized art therapy treatment plans that reflect participant goals and lived experiences.
• Create a safe, engaging space for clients to explore self-expression through creative arts
• Provide crisis de-escalation and emotional regulation support as needed during sessions.
• Participate in outreach or drop-in programs that serve marginalized populations (e.g., unhoused individuals, sex workers, people who use drugs).
• Design and facilitate engaging art lessons for program participants, including drama, dance, and visual arts
• Produce written reports, publications, presentations, and/or relevant portions of funding proposals as needed.
• Develops projects to showcase Art Therapy, including display of artwork and creative writing, art exhibitions, and drama/dance performances.
• Continuously monitor and report on outcomes, engagement and participant satisfaction, and work with the Data and Evaluation department to implement a comprehensive quality management plan that includes the development of appropriate performance measures.
• Attend various trainings required for service provision
• Conduct a pre- and post-survey during facilitated art sessions
• Track participant use severity, use frequency, and frustration tolerance throughout program participation through self-assessment and observation.
• Monitor the condition of all related equipment and materials and maintain appropriate supplies, coordinating ordering when needed.
• Perform other related tasks and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Creative Arts Therapy
• Demonstrated knowledge of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and culturally safe practices.
• Must have strong interpersonal and team building skills, excellent communication and presentation skills, and the ability and willingness to be hands-on and creatively solve problems as they arise.
• Must be organized, detail oriented and able to multitask in a high-paced environment.
• Must be comfortable deescalating conflict.
• Maintains respect and compassion for all clients being served, regardless of their active drug use or treatment compliance.
• Must be dedicated to advancing an agenda of equal rights and social justice for marginalized individuals, especially through participation in advocacy and community activism.
• Strong understanding of the intersectionality of mental health, drug use, and systemic oppression.
• Must be committed to the principles of Harm Reduction and to working with low-income people who use drugs and who are sex workers.
• Excellent communication, de-escalation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team.
• Bilingual (Spanish) strongly preferred.

How to apply

Go to Indeed and submit a cover letter and resume outlining your experience and/or interest in harm reduction.

Job Details

• Job Type: Full-time
• Pay: $80,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
• 403(b) matching
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid jury duty
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

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