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Drama Therapist - Career Profile |
Career OverviewDrama therapy is a relatively new health discipline. It integrates the methods of theatre and drama with those of psychotherapy to facilitate personal change. Drama therapists use role-playing, pantomime (the telling of a story with body movements and facial expression, but without words), improvisation, puppetry, and originally scripted dramatizations to evaluate and treat patients. Poetry therapists and bibliotherapists use the written and spoken word as part of their programs of treatment.
Drama therapists work with other health professionals to treat and rehabilitate people with mental, physical and emotional disabilities. They use drama in their therapy sessions to determine the underlying causes of some problems and help patients reach therapeutic goals. The drama therapist gives the patient a mode of expression in a safe environment. This is of particular importance, because before patients can begin the healing process, they must first identify their feelings. Once they have identified those feelings, they can begin to understand the connection between their feelings and their behaviour.
The drama therapist’s main goal is to improve the patient’s physical, mental and emotional health. Before any treatment begins, the drama therapist meets with a team of other health care professionals. They determine the strengths, interests and limitations of the patient. Then they create a program that will promote positive change and growth. The drama therapist will consult with the other health care professionals throughout the period of therapy and keep them advised of the patient’s progress.
In some cases, especially with adolescents, patients have become so detached from their inner feelings that they suffer a great deal of psychological pain. A drama therapist tries to put the patient back in touch with those feelings so the patient can communicate them, both verbally and nonverbally. As patients begin to recognize their feelings, they learn to have better control of their behaviour. The drama therapist works with people of all ages: small children, teenagers, adults and seniors. They work with individuals, groups and families.
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Career RequirementsA drama therapist must have an interest in and knowledge of art and drama. He or she must have an interest in teaching, and be compassionate, patient and understanding. The drama therapist should also have an active imagination. High school students interested in becoming drama therapists should take courses in English, the arts, drama and communications. They are also advised to take an introductory course in psychology. At the post-secondary education level degree courses are offered that enable a drama therapist to be certified by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA).
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Job OutlookAccording to the American Art Therapy Association, this is a growing field. As medical professionals and the general public become aware of the benefits of all forms of art therapy, including drama therapy, demand for therapists has increased.
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Career TrackThough many drama therapists work in hospitals, they are also hired by schools, clinics, rehabilitation centres, nursing homes and other institutions. Some therapists have part time employment with several different employers. Many therapists hold licenses in other fields such as social work or marriage and family therapy. With experience, therapists can move up to supervisory, administrative and teaching positions.
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CompensationA drama therapist’s earnings depend upon experience, geographic location and the employer. On average the starting salary for a drama therapist is $25,000 a year. This can go up to $38,000. Salaries are higher for therapists in administrative positions.
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