![A low wooden stage at the end of a walled garden, its sage green curtain drawn back](https://viacara.com/img/content/approaches-dramatherapy-feature-light.webp) # Dramatherapy Learn how dramatherapy uses role, story and movement, what happens in a session, who it might suit and what the research shows. ## What is *dramatherapy*? Dramatherapy is a form of psychotherapy. The British Association of Dramatherapists says its practitioners are trained in both therapy and theatre. You need no experience of theatre or acting. The association says it can help if you find talking limiting. Taking a role puts a little space between you and the thing itself. From there you can look at it. That distance is the method rather than a detour around the work. Sources: [BADTh: dramatherapy](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-1), [BADTh: how it helps](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-2) ## How it *works* Dramatherapists use a wide range of dramatic techniques, with words and without them. The medium may include drama, story-making, music, movement and art. Movement matters as much as speech. Therapists draw on their knowledge of theatre and of therapy together. Both halves are part of the training. You might take a role, tell a story, or move rather than speak. The work often approaches the hard thing sideways. Nothing has to be named head on. Experience through *drama* - **Story** A story can offer an indirect way to explore experience. - **Role and movement** Words, roles and movement can carry the work. - **Therapist alongside** Your therapist works with what you express. These are possible forms of the work. Psychodrama is a distinct method within the wider use of dramatic action. Sources: [BADTh: dramatherapy](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-1), [BADTh: HCPC registration](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-3), [BPA: psychodrama](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-17) ## What *sessions* look like Dramatherapy runs one to one or in a small group. Like most therapy, a session usually lasts about fifty minutes. An NHS trust running arts therapies says you need not be good at drama. It adds that the aim is not an accomplished performance. You will not be asked to perform for anyone. There is no audience. What happens in the room is for the work, not for show. Sources: [BADTh: dramatherapy](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-1), [BACP: counselling](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-15), [SABP: arts therapy](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-14) ![The stage seen from the armchair, a length of cloth laid across its edge and two lanterns lit](https://viacara.com/img/content/approaches-dramatherapy-mid-light.webp) Dramatherapy gives you a little distance from what is hard to say straight out ## Who it might *suit* It can be a good fit if you: - Find that talking straight at a problem closes you down - Would rather show something than describe it - Keep falling into the same role with other people - Can tell a hard story about someone else but not about yourself - Think better on your feet than sitting still The British Association of Dramatherapists calls it inclusive across ages and cultural or social differences. It names physical and learning ability too. Source: [BADTh: how it helps](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-2) ## Who *provides* it Dramatherapist is a title protected in law. The Health and Care Professions Council keeps the register. Using a protected title with intent to deceive is a criminal offence. BADth says registration needs a master's degree from an approved course. Its training page names courses at five UK universities. In September 2026 the register held about 6,200 arts therapists. That count covers drama, art and music together, because the regulator does not split it. Sources: [HCPC: protected titles](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-5), [HCPC: misuse of title](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-6), [BADTh: HCPC registration](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-3), [BADTh: training](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-4), [HCPC: register summary](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-7) ## The *evidence* The research here is thinner than for art or music therapy, and we would rather say so. Cochrane reviewed drama therapy for schizophrenia in 2007. It found only five trials. Between them they covered just over 200 people. Its authors concluded that the benefits or harms are unclear. No one has updated that review since it was published. A 2024 review of dramatherapy for adults with psychosis screened more than 8,000 papers. Eleven of them met its criteria. Its authors called for stronger research in the field. Thin evidence is not the same as evidence of no effect. It means the trials to settle the question have not been run. NICE says to consider offering arts therapies to people with psychosis. Its guidance for children and young people names dramatherapy among them. Consider is a weaker word than offer, which NICE uses elsewhere in the same guideline. NICE does not name dramatherapy in its guidance on depression. NHS Talking Therapies does not list it either, so the NHS route runs through community mental health services. An NHS trust running arts therapies says there has been little research to show conclusively that they help. Sources: [Ruddy & Dent-Brown 2007](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-8), [Melvin et al. 2024](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-9), [NICE CG178](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-10), [NICE CG155](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-11), [NICE NG222](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-12), [NHS England: talking therapies manual](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-13), [ELFT: ERA trial](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-16) ## *Psychodrama* A situation explored through *action* - **A situation** You bring an issue or a scene from your life. - **Roles in action** A therapist guides the scene. Group members may take roles. - **Shared reflection** Group members can share how they relate to the scene. This shows one group format. Psychodrama can also take place one to one. Psychodrama uses guided dramatic action to examine a problem a person brings. It was conceived and developed by the psychiatrist Jacob L. Moreno. Psychodramatist is not one of the four protected titles. The British Psychodrama Association is accredited by the UK Council for Psychotherapy. It requires its UK practitioners to register with that council individually. If you are weighing up a few options, our [guide to the different approaches](https://viacara.com/guides/understanding-approaches/) sets them side by side. Sources: [BPA: psychodrama](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-17), [HCPC: protected titles](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-5), [BPA: overview](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#ref-18) On this page [What is dramatherapy?](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#what-is-dramatherapy) [How it works](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#how-it-works) [What sessions look like](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#what-sessions-look-like) [Who it might suit](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#who-it-might-suit) [Who provides it](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#who-provides-it) [The evidence](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#the-evidence) [Psychodrama](https://viacara.com/approaches/dramatherapy/#psychodrama) Related [Art Therapy](https://viacara.com/approaches/art-therapy/) [Music Therapy](https://viacara.com/approaches/music-therapy/) [Humanistic Therapy](https://viacara.com/approaches/humanistic/) [Understanding Different Approaches](https://viacara.com/guides/understanding-approaches/) Thanks for your interest. We're not taking on new clients at the moment. ## Looking for a *dramatherapist*? We ask what matters to you, then find professionals who fit. Leave your email and we'll let you know as soon as we're ready for you. This conversation helps us find you the right support. What you share helps us understand what you're looking for and find someone who fits. Your email keeps you updated on what's happening next and isn't shared with anyone we introduce you to. [Privacy policy](https://viacara.com/privacy/) [Terms of service](https://viacara.com/terms/) ## References 1. British Association of Dramatherapists (n.d.). *What is dramatherapy?*. [badth.org.uk](https://www.badth.org.uk/dramatherapy/what-is-dramatherapy) 2. British Association of Dramatherapists (n.d.). *How dramatherapy can help*. [badth.org.uk](https://www.badth.org.uk/dramatherapy/how-dramatherapy-can-help) 3. British Association of Dramatherapists (n.d.). *HCPC registered*. [badth.org.uk](https://www.badth.org.uk/dramatherapy/what-is-dramatherapy/hcpc-registered) 4. British Association of Dramatherapists (n.d.). *Becoming a dramatherapist*. [badth.org.uk](https://www.badth.org.uk/training/becoming-a-dramatherapist) 5. Health and Care Professions Council (n.d.). *Professions and protected titles*. [hcpc-uk.org](https://www.hcpc-uk.org/about-us/who-we-regulate/the-professions/) 6. Health and Care Professions Council (n.d.). *Misuse of title*. [hcpc-uk.org](https://www.hcpc-uk.org/concerns/what-we-investigate/misuse-of-title/) 7. Health and Care Professions Council (2026). *Register summary, valid as of 1 September 2026*. [hcpc-uk.org](https://www.hcpc-uk.org/data/the-register/register-summary/) 8. Ruddy, R. A. & Dent-Brown, K. (2007). *Drama therapy for schizophrenia or schizophrenia-like illnesses*. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. [doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005378.pub2](https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD005378.pub2) 9. Melvin, E. et al. (2024). *Dramatherapy for adults with psychosis: a systematic review*. Schizophrenia Research. [doi:10.1016/j.schres.2024.02.031](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2024.02.031) 10. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2026). *Psychosis and schizophrenia in adults: prevention and management (CG178)*. [nice.org.uk](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg178/chapter/Recommendations) 11. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2016). *Psychosis and schizophrenia in children and young people: recognition and management (CG155)*. [nice.org.uk](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg155/chapter/Recommendations) 12. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2022). *Depression in adults: treatment and management (NG222)*. [nice.org.uk](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng222) 13. NHS England (2024). *NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression manual, version 7.1*. [england.nhs.uk (PDF)](https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/nhs-talking-therapies-manual-v7.1-updated.pdf) 14. Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (n.d.). *Arts therapy*. [sabp.nhs.uk](https://www.sabp.nhs.uk/our-services/mental-health/arts-therapy) 15. British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (n.d.). *What is counselling?*. [bacp.co.uk](https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/what-is-counselling/) 16. East London NHS Foundation Trust (n.d.). *About the ERA trial*. [elft.nhs.uk](https://www.elft.nhs.uk/era/about-era) 17. British Psychodrama Association (n.d.). *Psychodrama*. [psychodrama.org.uk](https://www.psychodrama.org.uk/psychodrama/) 18. British Psychodrama Association (n.d.). *About the BPA*. [psychodrama.org.uk](https://www.psychodrama.org.uk/about/) ## Related ### [Art Therapy](https://viacara.com/approaches/art-therapy/) Learn how art therapy uses image making alongside talking, what a session is like, who it might suit and what the research shows. ### [Music Therapy](https://viacara.com/approaches/music-therapy/) Learn how music therapy uses sound and instruments, what happens in a session, who it might suit and what the research shows. ### [Humanistic Therapy](https://viacara.com/approaches/humanistic/) Learn how humanistic therapy sees you as a whole person, what happens in a session, who it tends to suit and what the research covers. ### [Understanding Different Approaches](https://viacara.com/guides/understanding-approaches/) A plain-English guide to the main therapeutic approaches including CBT, person-centred therapy, psychodynamic and integrative methods.