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Dramatherapist
Hours
30-40 per week
Starting salary
£25,500 + per year
If you are interested in drama, and want to use it to help people, this job could suit you well.
As a dramatherapist you would use group work and role-play to encourage people to come to terms with feelings and emotions.
In this job you would need to be able to communicate with and relate well to many different types of people. You would have to use creativity to think up workshops and role play scenarios. You would also need to be non-judgemental.
To get into this job you will need to get a recognised Masters qualification and then register with the Health Professions Council. To get onto a Masters course you will usually need a degree in a subject like drama or psychology, practical experience of drama, and voluntary or paid experience helping people to overcome problems and difficulties.
WorkDesc
The work
You would help clients to develop their imagination and the creative side of their personality, as well as their personal strengths.
You would use a range of methods to bring about positive change and psychological healing in your clients. You would encourage people to:
- work as part of a group
- form one-to-one relationships
- express what they feel and think about the world around them
- act out situations in a safe and non-judgemental environment.
You would use various techniques with clients, which may involve drawing on their own experiences, or using traditional myths and stories, mime or puppetry and masks.
You would usually work closely with other professionals such as psychologists, social workers, teachers and other therapy specialists.
HoursDesc
Hours
Your typical working hours would be between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, although some jobs may involve evening or weekend sessions. Part-time and freelance work is common.
You could work in a variety of places such as schools, hospitals, prisons and day centres, depending on your client group. You may need to travel to different locations throughout your working day.
IncomeDesc
Income
A newly qualified, full-time dramatherapist in the NHS can earn between £25,500 and £34,200 a year. With experience this can rise to around £46,600 a year.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
To work as a dramatherapist you need a Masters qualification approved by the British Association of Dramatherapists (BADth), followed by registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC). See the BADth and HPC websites for details of course providers.
The entry requirements for a Masters in Dramatherapy are likely to include:
- a degree in a related subject, such as drama or psychology
- practical drama experience
- voluntary or paid experience helping people overcome problems or difficulties.
To get on to an undergraduate degree you will usually need five GCSEs (A-C) plus two A levels (subjects of particular relevance include drama, psychology and theatre studies). Check with colleges or universities for exact entry details.
You may have an advantage if you have a background in an area such as teaching, acting, community or social work.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
Once you are on an approved dramatherapy course you will work in groups to develop practical drama and theatre skills. You will also cover subjects such as:
- psychological and therapeutic principles and practices
- art, music, dance and play therapies
- dramatherapy practice
- personal development.
You will be assessed throughout the course and you will also be expected to undergo personal therapy. After completing the course, you can join the BADth as a full member.
As a practising dramatherapist, you are expected to have regular supervision sessions with an experienced therapist (who is also a trained supervisor). You will also need to keep your skills and knowledge up-to-date, for example by attending short courses and workshops (check the BADth website for details).
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To be a dramatherapist you will need to have:
- excellent communication skills
- the ability to relate to people from all backgrounds
- an interest in drama and theatrical work
- a genuine desire to help people
- a non-judgemental attitude
- creativity, intuition and imagination
- a flexible and adaptable approach
- a good understanding of the principles and practice of therapy
- patience and commitment
- emotional strength, with the ability to cope with challenging situations
- respect for confidentiality.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Health Professions Council 
Park House
184 Kennington Park Road
London
SE11 4BU
Tel: 020 7582 0866
www.hpc-uk.org
NHS Careers
PO Box 2311
Bristol
BS2 2ZX
Tel: 0345 60 60 655
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
British Association of Dramatherapists (BADth)
41 Broomhouse Lane
London
SW6 3DP
Tel: 020 7731 0160
www.badth.org.uk
Health Learning and Skills Advice Line
Tel: 08000 150850
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You will find most jobs in the NHS and local authorities. You could also find work with voluntary organisations, the Prison Service, and in private practice. Work opportunities will often depend on organisations gaining funding for particular projects.
With experience, you could go on to lead a team of therapists or manage a unit. However, many dramatherapists work on a freelance basis.
You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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Related industry information
Industry summary
The health sector is represented by Skills for Health Sector Skills Council, which comprises three sub‐sectors:
- National Health Service (NHS)
- Independent Healthcare Sector (such as private and charitable healthcare providers)
- Third Sector (healthcare) (such as small local community and voluntary groups, registered charities, foundations, trusts, social enterprises and co‐operatives)
The health sector is made up of hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dental practices, the ambulance service, nursing homes, residential care homes, complementary medicine and a huge range of other health related activities, from sight tests in opticians to research in medical laboratories. Most people in the health sector work in the publicly funded National Health Service (NHS), which includes:
- primary care (organisations which the public goes to first) – Doctors/General Practitioners (GPs), NHS Walk in Centres, NHS Direct, Out of Hours Emergency Care
- secondary care (organisations which the public are referred onto) – Ambulance Trusts, NHS Trusts/hospitals, NHS Foundation Trusts/hospitals, Mental Health Trusts, Care Trusts (provide joint health and social care activities)
NHS policy in England is directed from the centre by the Department of Health. Local organisations, known as Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), are in charge of providing and commissioning services, controlling the majority of the budget. PCTs are overseen by 10 regional organisations called Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).
The independent sector includes companies and charities that offer hospital and specialist services usually after referral from a doctor. Operations and other work are carried out in private hospitals, independent treatment centres, mental health units and hospices.
Key facts:
- The health sector is the largest employer in the UK, representing 5.5% of the working age population of the UK and 7.3% of the working age population that are currently in employment.
- It is estimated that the sector employs over 2 million people, including:
- over 1.5 million people in the NHS (72%)
- over 0.5 million people in the Independent Healthcare sector (26%)
- almost 40,000 in the voluntary sector (2%)
- 56% of the workforce has a higher education qualification (or equivalent).
- The age profile for the sector shows an older than average workforce, which is due in part to the fact that it takes some professions a long time to train and can mean that people enter the sector later.
There is a varied list of jobs in the sector ranging from a diverse number of clinical roles, to support and infrastructure staff, for instance: Allied Health Professionals (AHPs); Ambulance Staff; Dental Staff; Doctors/Medical staff; Nursing staff; Midwifery Staff; Healthcare Scientists; Health Informatics Staff; Management; Wider Healthcare Team; Complementary Therapists.
National and regional data
High proportions of the health sector workforce are located in:
- London
- South East
- North West
East Midlands - The health sector employs 131,515 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East Midlands employs 8% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 29% of all employment across the sector or 41,200 employees.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
East of England - The health sector employs 164,720 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East of England employs 9.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 52,300 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 14% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 103,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
London - The health sector employs over 249,524 people, which accounts for 6% of all the employment in the region.
- London employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 33% of all employment across the sector or 78,500 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 146,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North East - The health sector employs 89,201 people, which accounts for 8.7% of all employment in the region.
- The North East employs 5.3 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 23,800 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be almost 46,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North West - The health sector employs 251,960 people, which accounts for 8% of all employment in the region.
- The North West employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South East - The health sector employs 264,071 people, which accounts for 7.1% of all employment in the region.
- The South East employs 15.7% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 164,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South West - The health sector employs 182,187 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- The South West employs 10.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 60,700 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 105,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
West Midlands - The health sector employs 168,746 people, which accounts for 7.2% of all employment in the region.
- The West Midlands employs 10% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 43,000 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 9% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 108,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Yorkshire and the Humber - The health sector employs 182,848 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- Yorkshire and the Humber employ 10.9 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 24% of the total health care workforce or 42,000 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 97,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Northern Ireland - The health sector employs 61,300 people.
- Northern Ireland employs 3% of the total health sector workforce.
- 81% of the workforce is female.
- 26% of the workforce is aged 35‐44 years.
- 96% of the workforce is white.
- 10% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 48% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Scotland - The health sector employs 201,500 people.
- Scotland employs 10% of the total health sector workforce.
- 78% of the workforce is female.
- 30% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 95% of the workforce is white.
- 14% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 39% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Wales - The health sector employs 114,900 people.
- Wales employs 6% of the total health sector workforce.
- 74% of the workforce is female.
- 34% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 94% of the workforce is white.
- 18% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 40% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 27% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2008‐2009, Annual Business Inquiry, 2007, and Northern Ireland Census of Employment, 2007]
Career paths
Further sources
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