What are the responsibilities and job description for the 2026 - 2027 Art Therapist position at The Cove School?
Art Therapist
2026 - 2027 School Year Start
Date: August 2026
Job Summary:
Cove is looking for a unique individual who will support the mission by providing needs-based social-emotional art therapy services to students. The role includes, but is not limited to, facilitating individual and group art therapy sessions to help students develop emotional awareness, coping skills, and self-expression. The art therapist also collaborates with teachers and staff through consultation to support student needs within the classroom environment and promote effective strategies for social-emotional growth. Additionally, the role involves contributing to a positive and supportive school climate by helping to identify student needs and implementing targeted supports that enhance overall student well-being and engagement.
Pay & Benefits:
* Salary starting at $53,000: (salary is commensurate with education, licensure and experience)
* Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
* Short and Long Term Disability and Life Insurance
* Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programs
* School Breaks, 10 sick and 4 personal days
* Tuition Reimbursement for continuing education
* Professional Development Opportunities
Schedule:
* Full-time (10 Month Contract)
* 2026-2027 School Year
* Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 3:45 pm, except Thursdays 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
* Five Week Extended School Year Program optional
Requirements:
- M.A. in Art Therapy required. Art Therapy Certification (ATR) preferred.
- Previous experience working with special education students with significant learning disabilities preferred.
- Experience and/or familiarity with IEP goals preferred.
- Experience with providing staff professional development preferred.
- Knowledge of learning processes, appropriate instructional interventions to meet students’ needs, and the ability to implement and assess their effectiveness.
Duties & Responsibilities:
General Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement individualized and group art therapy services using evidence-based music interventions aligned with students’ IEP goals, using creative interventions to support self-expression, coping skills, socialization, and overall social-emotional development.
- Design and deliver developmentally appropriate lessons across individual, small group, and classroom settings that promote skills such as problem solving, self-awareness, and self-advocacy.
- Collaborate and consult with teachers, related service providers, and families to integrate art therapy practices into school programming, support student progress, and reinforce social-emotional and academic goals.
- Monitor, document, and communicate student progress through ongoing observation, data collection, and regular reporting.
- Contribute to a positive school climate by supporting student engagement, showcasing student work, and participating in team meetings, school events, and interdisciplinary initiatives.
- Provide guidance to students, families, and staff regarding student strengths, needs, and social-emotional development.
- Educate students, families, and staff on the importance of art therapy and share current, evidence-based strategies and best practices in the field.
- Promote understanding of the role and benefits of art therapy within the school community.
- Maintain current knowledge of best practices in art therapy through ongoing professional learning.
- Establish and maintain connections with community resources to support students and families.
- Perform other related duties as assigned to support program and school needs.
Reports to the Clinical Director
About Us:
The Cove School is a non-public therapeutic day school for students with learning disabilities located in Northbrook, IL. Cove students come from 60 nearby different public schools and families can also choose to fund tuition privately. Classes are kept small. Teaching is flexible and varies according to the individual student’s learning style. A team of onsite specialists work collaboratively to provide students intensive, integrated related services.
Salary : $53,000