Drama Therapist

Job Description

 Drama therapist:

Drama therapy is a creative arts therapy that uses the performance arts to promote psychological, emotional and social change. Drama therapists offer a safe environment for an individual or group to explore, address and deal with personal and social difficulties, e.g. grief, anxiety and personal growth.

Description

•      Drama therapists use a variety of interventions with clients, including stories, puppetry, improvisation, drama and movement to allow clients to explore their past experiences.

•      Clients may be of any age and may include people with psychological and/or mental health issues, physical or mental disabilities or behavioural difficulties. Other clients may be people on probation or in secure settings, or people overcoming an addiction.

•      Drama therapists work with a range of other professionals such as psychologists, social workers, nurses, teachers and other therapist staff.

Responsibilities

•      encouraging and supporting clients in creative drama and theatre work, involving the expressive use of movement and objects, using techniques such as improvisation, storytelling, play, role-play, myth, ritual, script work, and devising and presenting performances;

•      encouraging self-awareness, exploration and reflection on feelings and relationships;

•      providing opportunities for clients to learn new skills;

•      initiating spontaneous exploration of personal issues;

•      enabling clients to experiment with new ways of thinking and behaving;

•      using appropriate equipment, materials and therapeutic 'props', such as puppets and other objects;

•      organising a performance resulting from working with a group (although this is not essential);

•      undertaking assessment visits or appointments;

•      taking referrals from other professional staff;

•      maintaining records of clients and activities;

•      writing reports for your employer on activities undertaken and clients seen;

•      managing marketing and finances, when working on a self-employed basis;

•      Attending regular supervision sessions.

Education

•      Masters qualification in drama therapy recognised by health and care professional council

•      Degree in drama or psychology

Skills/Experience

•      You should be interested in helping people

•      Practical experience of drama

•      Work experience or voluntarily jobs, in helping people with difficulties in all areas of life.

Salary

•      The salary varies widely according to the employer, mode of employment and professional qualifications and experiences.

•      Starting salaries for those working in the (NHS) range from £25,783 to £34,530

•      Or a experienced drama therapist may earn between £30, 764 and £40,558

•      Fees in a private practice  are usually between £35 and £60 for a one hour session