Becoming a Dramatherapist

This page is in response to the many emails I have received asking for advice about becoming a Dramatherapist in the UK. If anyone has advice for people in other countries, please let me know and I'll publish it or link to it!

Q: How do I train as a Dramatherapist?
There are several training courses in the UK which are listed here. The page has links to each course's website. Dramatherapy is a postgraduate entry profession; in other words you need EITHER
• a professional qualification such as teaching, nursing, social work, occupational therapy, youth work etc
OR
• a drama training and experience in theatre such as youth theatre, community theatre etc.

This means you cannot start training as a Dramatherapist at 18 straight from school. Most (possibly all) courses have a minimum age of 24 years for entry.

The courses are also listed on the BADth (British Association of Dramatherapists) website which you should look at for more info on dramatherapy.

Q:I'm still at school; what should I do between now and the age of 24?
Think about a college/university course that will give you a good foundation. Either a training in one of the professions listed above, or a degree or similar training in drama, theatre, performing arts etc. There is a BA in Creative Expressive Therapies at Derby which is specifically designed to be a foundation for any of the arts therapies and may be of interest.

If you do a professional training, also get some experience in drama/theatre. Join a student drama group, or involved with your local theatre. If you train in drama, make sure you also get experience in the caring professions; volunteer to work in a psychiatric hospital or with people with learning disabilities. Take modules in your course on community theatre or use your drama skills in a social setting.

Q: I don't know if I'm ready for a full training - how can I get some experience?
Join BADth, the British Association for Dramatherapists, as an Associate member. This will bring you a quarterly magazine called The Prompt which contains details of short courses run by Dramatherapists where you can get a feel of what is involved. You will also receive a membership list that will enable you to make contact with practising Dramatherapists near you. Go to the BADth website to make contact and ask about membership.

Q: What kinds of jobs do Dramatherapists do and where?
Dramatherapists work in the NHS (National Health Service), Social Services, schools, prisons, charitable organisations and in private practice. This website gives some useful information on Dramatherapy in the NHS and has some other helpful information about the career.

Q: What stops just anyone calling themselves a Dramatherapist?
In the UK Dramatherapy will soon have something called a protected title. An Act of Parliament has set up a body called the Health Professions Council (HPC) that regulates the professions and protects the public. One of the ways it does this is

to prevent unregistered practitioners from claiming professional status. By the end of 2003 it will be an offence to claim to be a Dramatherapist unless you are registered with the HPC.

HPC registration involves proving that you have completed a recognised course in Dramatherapy. It entitles you to call yourself a State Registered Arts Therapist (Dramatherapy)

Q: I qualified outside the UK; how do I get registered there?
Contact the HPC for advice. They register many professions (eg occupational therapy, radiography) and have experience of registering people who have trained outside the UK. They will be much more used to enquiries from other professions though, so if you enquire you may be among the first!

Q: I have other questions that are not answered here, what can I do?
First please carefully check every link on this page to see if you can find your way to the information you want. If you still can't find it then email me and I'll try and help - probably by adding something to these FAQs!