Dramatherapist

You would use role play, group work and movement to help people come to terms with feelings and emotions. You’d help them bring about positive change in their lives.

Dramatherapy is a creative way for groups and individuals to deal with personal and social problems.

You would work with people who have:

• A physical disability

• A learning disability

• Emotional or behavioural problems

Other clients might:

• Experience mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety

• Have problems with an addiction or eating disorder

You’d guide people to use imagination and the creative side of their personalities to explore past traumas. You’d need to do this sensitively because people might find the process distressing.

Your aim is to help them heal psychologically. You’d try to increase their confidence and self-esteem.

You’d use a range of methods in your work, and 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 supportive environment

You would use different methods, including the creative use of voices, movement, storytelling, mime, puppetry and masks.

You would work closely with other professionals such as psychologists, social workers, teachers and other therapy specialists.

You can see more about this role in the National Health Service on the dramatherapist page on the NHS Careers website. 

• British Association of Dramatherapists

• NHS Education for Scotland – Training for the healthcare workforce including higher education and professional development

• Disclosure Scotland – more about the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme

• Health and Care Professions Council - Regulates people working in health, psychological and social work