Dramatherapy professionals in the UK.

Job description
Facilitates and co-ordinates the intentional use of drama/theatre processes and related techniques in order to achieve the therapeutic goal of symptom relief, emotional and physical integration well-being and personal growth.

Typical work activities
Encouraging and supporting clients, both groups and individuals, in creative drama and theatre work including  improvisation, role-play, mask-work, myth enactment. Planning self-contained programmes involving skill-learning, role-reversal etc and initiating spontaneous exploration of personal issues, using appropriate equipment and materials. Most work is towards non-public performance ends.

Typical employers
National Health Service; voluntary agencies; Probation Service; Social Services and education authorities; opportunities for private practice.

Self employment/freelance work
This is commonly possible
Freelance work is possible after approved training and experience. Also opportunities for training, supervision and consultancy.

Training
All students have to undergo and fund personal therapy and supervision during training. Also you must complete a minimum of 40 supervised sessions after you have finished your training.

Career development
There is no formal promotion pattern and prospects depend on the employing institution. After initial work experience openings may arise to be a training supervisor or consultant.

Salaries
Range of typical starting salaries: £14,000 - £16,500
Range of typical salaries at age 40: up to £20,000
The salary data was collected in Feb 00
Pay varies with employer. NHS hospitals pay Whitley Council Scales. Trust hospitals set their own rates.

Working hours and conditions
Typically includes mainly 9-5 possibly with some extra hours
Work takes place in hospitals, prisons, clinics, schools, learning disability units, community organisations and industry. Work with small groups or on a one-to-one basis.

Geographic availability
Jobs are quite widely available

Lifestyle implications
An expressive, creative and spontaneous work style varying according to client or group members, location and situation. A career break and part-time work is possible.

Travel
Travel within a working day is occasional
Absence from home at night is uncommon
Overseas work or travel is occasional

Gender balance
More than two thirds are women, but there is growing encouragement for men to enter the profession.

Entry and Qualifications

Relevant degree subjects

The following subject(s) may increase your chances

Courses have a minimum age of 23. Courses offered at University of Hertfordshire; Northern Trust for Dramatherapy; South Devon College, Inst. of Dramatherapy, Roehampton; University College Ripon & York.

Relevant HND subjects

The following subject(s) may increase your chances

HNDs will need relevant post college work experience or recognised qualifications in teaching, nursing, youth work, social work etc. Personal therapy and supervision is also mandatory for HNDs.

Postgraduate study
A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is essential
MA or Diploma in Dramatherapy is needed to become a registered Dramatherapist.

Entry without a degree or HND
This is sometimes possible
Relevant interests are required for entry to approved courses. Experience or a recognised qualification in teaching, nursing, youth work or a profession supplementary to medicine would be advantageous.

Experience
Pre-entry experience is essential
Entry to approved courses requires appropriate experience of practical drama or theatre work together with relevant experience in a clinical setting.

Special entry requirements
For all courses there is a minimum age of 23. For part-time courses applicants must have a job in which Dramatherapy can be used.

Age implications
Entry problems may be encountered from early 40s to early 50s
The majority of students are in their late 20s or 30s. Mature entrants are actively encouraged as work demands experience of dealing with people and their problems and a mature outlook.

Competition
Keen for the few places available on approved training courses, but more institutions are being convinced of the need for more qualified dramatherapists.

Tips for entry
Contact the British Association for Dramatherapists for details of appropriate work experience. Institutions offering approved courses will provide details of specific entry requirements for their courses. There is a minimum age for entry for some of the courses.

Sources of Information

CSU publications advertising vacancies
Rarely advertised in The PROSPECTS Series.

Other publications include
Therapy Weekly; British Association for Dramatherapists newsletter; The Guardian (Wednesday).

Useful directories
BADTh Register of Qualified Dramatherapists.

AGCAS Information Booklet
Complementary Medicine and Therapies

AGCAS Survey of vocational courses
Health Therapies and Nursing

Sources of Information

CSU publications advertising vacancies
Rarely advertised in The PROSPECTS Series.

Other publications include
Therapy Weekly; British Association for Dramatherapists newsletter; The Guardian (Wednesday).

Useful directories
BADTh Register of Qualified Dramatherapists.

AGCAS Information Booklet
Complementary Medicine and Therapies

AGCAS Survey of vocational courses
Health Therapies and Nursing

Other Sources of Information
BADth Information Pack
Journal of Dramatherapy

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