Therapy

Dramatherapist

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

Annual Salary

£32,305 to £45,838

Working hours

37 to 39 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends;

3.8%
Future employment

There will be 3.8% more Dramatherapist jobs in 2027.
In your local area

What's it all about?

Day-to-day tasks

You could:

  • help clients use their imagination and creativity to increase their confidence and self-esteem
  • use voice, movement, storytelling, mime, puppetry and masks
  • encourage clients to form one-to-one relationships and also work as part of a group
  • support clients to express what they feel and think about the world around them
  • enable clients to act out situations in a safe environment
  • work closely with other professionals like 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.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
University

You'll need to complete a postgraduate qualification in dramatherapy, accredited by the British Association of Dramatherapists.

To apply, you'll need a first degree in a subject like:

  • drama
  • creative therapies
  • psychology

You may 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; voluntary or paid 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
For more information
Apprenticeship

You may be able to do an arts therapist 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 for a degree apprenticeship
For more information
Volunteering and work experience

You'll need paid or voluntary experience of working in the community on drama projects, in youth work, or with people with disabilities or mental health issues.

You could contact the voluntary services co-ordinator at your local NHS trust for further advice.

You can also find volunteering opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Do IT.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

More information

Career tips

It may 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 and 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 find out more about working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

With experience, you could become a senior or consultant dramatherapist and lead a team of therapists or manage a unit.

You could also train other dramatherapists or set up your own practice.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

  • 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
  • active listening skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
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