Dramatherapist

Dramatherapists use group work, role play and movement to help people with their feelings and emotions.

• Starter salary£40,000 a year
• Experienced£57,000 a year
• Typical hours37 to 40 a week

What you'll do

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.

Skills and knowledge you'll need

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

How to become a dramatherapist

You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship.

University

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.

You'll be expected to have practical drama experience.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Apprenticeship

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

Volunteering

You'll find it useful to have paid or voluntary experience.

You could work:

• with community drama projects
• on youth schemes
• with disabled people with people with mental health issues

Volunteering in the NHS is also a good way to get work experience. This can be helpful when you apply for jobs or training.

You can also find opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do it .

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

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

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.

Registration

• you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council

Guides for this industry

• Health & Social Care: pay, interviews and getting started →

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