Dramatherapist
Dramatherapists use group work, role play and movement to help people with their feelings and emotions.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a dramatherapist, you could:
- help clients use their creativity to increase their self confidence
- use voice, movement, storytelling, mime, puppets or masks
- support clients to express what they feel and act out situations in a safe environment
- encourage clients to work as a group and to form one to one relationships
- work closely with psychologists, social workers, teachers and other therapy specialists
Working environment
You could work in an NHS or private hospital, at an adult care home, at a school or in a prison.
Career path and progression
With experience you could:
- become a senior or consultant dramatherapist and lead a team or manage a unit
- train other dramatherapists
- set up your own practice
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
- knowledge of the fine arts
- sensitivity and understanding
- knowledge of psychology
- the ability to work well with others
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be flexible and open to change
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
How to become
You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship.
You'll need to complete a postgraduate qualification in dramatherapy, accredited by the British Association of Dramatherapists.
To apply for the postgraduate course, you'll need a degree in a subject like drama, creative therapies or psychology.
You might also be able to apply if you've got a degree in a related subject, like occupational therapy, nursing or social work.
Work experience
You'll be expected to have practical drama experience.
You'll also be expected to have paid or voluntary experience in helping people to deal with issues like mental health.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
More Information
You might be able to do an Arts Therapist Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship.
You'll usually need a qualification and experience in art, drama or music to apply.
Entry requirements
To do this apprenticeship, you'll need:
- a degree in a relevant subject
More Information
You'll find it useful to have paid or voluntary work experience.
You could work:
- in the community on drama projects
- in youth work
- with people with disabilities or mental health issues
You can get practical experience by volunteering in the NHS.
You can also find volunteering opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do IT.
Registration
- you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council
Career tips
It might help if you've got a background in teaching, acting, nursing or social work.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the British Association of Dramatherapists for professional recognition, training and development opportunities.
Further information
You can find advice about how to become a dramatherapist from the British Association of Dramatherapists and Health Careers.
You can also explore other careers in the psychological professions.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.