Dramatherapist
Dramatherapists use group work, role play and movement to help people with their feelings and emotions.
Average salary (a year)
£35000
Starter
£50000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
37.0 to 39.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
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.
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
finance for postgraduate courses|https://www.gov.uk/funding-for-postgraduate-study
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
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
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Volunteering
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.
More Information
Registrations
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.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
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
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Related Restrictions
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
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 & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
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
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.