How to become an Arts & Drama Therapist – Key Basics

ABOUT THE ROLE

Arts and Drama therapists have three strands whose working practices are very similar though through different mediums – art, drama and music. They use their chosen medium as a therapeutic intervention to help people with physical, mental, social and emotional difficulties, people who are unable to communicate through speech, to create a trusting environment which enables the client to safely express their feelings. Working as autonomous professionals, arts therapists will each have a case load of clients in a variety of settings, for example, child or adult psychiatry, learning disability centres, Forensic psychiatry.

Using use their creative medium arts therapists make connections with their clients as a means of relating. These creative mediums can by-pass the more conventional routes of communicating and encourage a shared experience, leading to a pursuit of therapeutic goals. The aims of therapy relate directly to the overall development of the client and should not be confused with teaching, recreation or the acquisition of a creative skill.

EMPLOYABILITY

Arts and Drama Therapists require people focused skills such as patience, sensitivity and building trusting relationships. Like any other role within the healthcare profession the individual must also acquire general employability skills such as:

Significant creativity and adaptability to each client’s needs
Self-management and the ability to work in a team
Excellent communication skills
Application of numeracy, literacy and information technology

CAREER ENTRY

To become a State Registered Arts Therapist you will be a graduate and be required to undertake an approved Postgraduate Diploma or Masters degree. These courses last for one/two years (full-time) or up to three years (part time) and are available in some centres in accelerated form for overseas students. These courses lead to membership of

The British Association of Art Therapists
The Association of Professional Music Therapists
The British Association for Drama Therapists

All 3 associations are under the auspices of the Health Professions Council or HPC. State registration with the appropriate association and HPC is mandatory to work in the NHS

EMPLOYERS & SALARIES

Work placements in all three strands of arts therapy are available with both the NHS and private organisations. Places of work vary enormously and can include charities, prisons, social services and working with in schools, both mainstream and special.