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Art Therapist

The Mather (Tysons, VA)

The Mather, a luxury Life Plan Community in Tysons, Virginia, is seeking a compassionate and creative Art Therapist to support the psychosocial wellness of residents across independent living, assisted living, memory support, and skilled nursing. Located in a vibrant, walkable urban neighborhood near the Metro and DC’s cultural offerings, The Mather redefines senior living. This full-time, salaried, on-site role reports to the Creative Arts Manager and requires schedule flexibility, including availability for weekends, evenings, and special events. The ideal candidate will bring strong therapeutic skills, a passion for the arts, and experience working with older adults to foster autonomy, achievement, and connection through meaningful creative engagement. You’ll help implement Mather’s Culture of Creativity—where residents are creators, not just consumers—through innovative, person-centered programming.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Facilitate multi-modal creative arts programs (visual art, writing, music, movement, improv).
  • Apply art therapy and counseling techniques to support mental health, dementia care, and life transitions.
  • Maintain clinical documentation including assessments, care plans, and progress notes.
  • Foster resident engagement through curiosity-driven, peer-inspired programs and intergenerational experiences.
  • Provide clinical supervision for graduate interns and maintain academic partnerships.
  • Co-lead Creating My Possibilities (CMP) workshops and support dementia-focused programming.
  • Collaborate with Life Center team to co-design therapeutic group and 1:1 engagement experiences.
  • Maintain safe, welcoming studio and gallery spaces aligned with Mather standards.
  • Support resident-led creative initiatives and assist with art exhibits and multimedia events.
  • Build external partnerships with arts and culture organizations to enrich programming.
  • Promote family and employee engagement through creative opportunities and events.
  • Participate in care plan meetings, in-services, and quality improvement initiatives.
  • Ensure compliance with safety, infection control, and privacy regulations.
  • Uphold Mather’s mission, values, and standards of excellence in all interactions.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Required:

  • Master’s degree in art therapy, working towards or holds LPC or LCPC and ATR-BC
  • Masters’ fieldwork experience with older adults
  • Exhibits extensive knowledge of diverse art materials and their applications with older
  • Comfortable with diverse forms of expression, including visual art, creative writing/poetry, music, movement, and improv.
  • Strong written and verbal communication
  • Self-initiator requiring minimum
  • Ability to use or learn a variety of tech-based services and platforms, e. Microsoft Outlook, Zoom, YouTube, resident facing portals, and A/V set-ups.

Preferred:

  • 1+ years of experience working with individuals living with dementia, long term care setting experience, demonstration of extensive knowledge of person-centered care, knowledge of state and federal regulations pertaining to Medicare/LTC.
  • Experience with care plan and MDS documentation relating to resident activity program
  • Experience and skills related to Health and Wellness, Lifelong Learning, and Arts and Culture, comfortable utilizing and facilitating diverse forms of expression.

Benefits

Mather offers a competitive benefits package.*

 

Team members are eligible for:

  • A generous paid time off (PTO) program including vacation days/personal days, sick days, and holidays. This is an “earn-as-you-go” plan that rolls over year to year, offering long- and short-term flexibility.
  • A 401(k) program with per pay-period employer match and annual employer contribution (available to those age 21 or better)
  • Convenient, subsidized parking (or public transportation for certain locations)
  • Wellness Spending Account: up to $300 available annually for Wellness related expenses such as gym memberships, financial planning, etc. 

Benefits-eligible team members can take advantage of:

  • Medical, dental, and vision plans
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Adoption Assistance Reimbursement
  • Tuition reimbursement for continuing education
  • Extended illness benefits
  • Employee wellness programs
  • Short- and long-term disability insurance
  • Life insurance - free to all team members 

 

*Benefits are subject to change without notice. Benefits details dependent on employment status.

About The Mather:

The Mather is a Life Plan Community in Tysons, Virginia, for those 62 and better that defies expectations of what senior living is supposed to be. More than a luxury residence, The Mather is in an enviable walkable, urban neighborhood, close to the Metro and all the DC area has to offer. Opened in March 2024, The Mather includes 293 independent living apartment homes, as well as assisted living, memory support, and skilled nursing, along with multiple restaurants, a fitness center, art studio, gardens and more. 

The Mather is located at 7929 Westpark Drive, Tysons.

About Mather

Based in Evanston, Illinois, Mather is a unique, non-denominational, not-for-profit organization founded in 1941. Dedicated to developing and implementing Ways to Age WellSM, we create programs, places, and residences for today’s young-at-heart older adults. Mather has received a national certification as a Great Place to Work®, and has been selected as a Nation’s Best and Brightest in Wellness Award recipient four years in a row.

Mather is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to an inclusive workforce. Candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

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Locations include: The Mather in Evanston, Mather Place, The Mather Tysons, Mather HQ, Splendido, Mather Institute, Community Initiatives

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Mather is committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace. I understand that any job offer is conditioned upon satisfactory completion of all required pre-employment screenings. I understand that completing this application does not obligate Mather to hire me.
Mather is an equal opportunity employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other status protected by law. We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Any applicant who requires a reasonable accommodation of a disability in order to participate in the hiring process should notify Human Resources.