Role

Drama Therapist

What is a drama therapist?

A drama therapist uses role play, movement and storytelling as a medium for psychological therapy to help people explore and solve personal and social problems. Drama therapists are enabled to explore a range of different issues and needs from autism and dementia to physical or sexual abuse and mental illness to develop psychological, emotional and social changes.

What does a drama therapist do on a daily basis?

  • Help service users use their creativity and imagination to boost their confidence
  • Use voice, movement, storytelling, mime and puppetry to encourage individuals to express themselves
  • Motivate service users to form one-to-one relationships and work as part of a group
  • Support service users to express their feelings and think about the world around them
  • Help service users act out situations in a safe environment
  • Work in collaboration with  professionals e.g. psychologists, social workers and teachers

Where do drama therapists work?

  • Schools e.g. mainstream and special education needs (SEN)  schools
  • Mental health wards
  • Residential homes
  • Young offender units
  • Social care
  • Private practices
  • Homeless shelters
  • Prisons
  • Voluntary organisations

Think this might be a career you’d be interested in?

Earning

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Approved education and training

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Routes into the profession

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Useful Links

The British Association of Dramatherapists

NHS - Drama Therapist