Art, Drama and Music Therapist
Art, Drama and Music Therapists are creative therapists who use the arts as a form of psychotherapy. They provide people who struggle to express themselves verbally with alternative modes of communication and emotional expression. For example, Art Therapists use painting or drawing, Drama Therapists use role-play and movement, and Music Therapists use instruments and song. All aim to help clients explore feelings, increase self-awareness and build confidence through creative expression. These therapies benefit a wide range of clients: children, adolescents, adults or older people, including those with anxiety, trauma, behavioural challenges, dementia, disabilities or life-limiting illnesses.
What the Role Involves
Creative therapists work in one-to-one or group settings. Key aspects of the role include:
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Therapeutic Sessions: Facilitate sessions where clients use art materials, drama/play or musical instruments to express and process their thoughts and emotions. For example, clients may paint to explore inner experiences, enact scenes to overcome trauma, or use percussion to improve mood.
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All Age Groups: Sessions can involve children, young people, adults or elders. Creative therapy is particularly helpful for those who find words limiting – for example, a child with attachment trauma might benefit from play, or an adult with dementia might benefit from music.
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Multidisciplinary Work: Creative therapists often work on hospital wards, in community clinics, schools, care homes or prisons. They liaise with nurses, social workers, teachers and families, incorporating creative therapy into wider care plans.
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Facilitation: In group therapy, they encourage interaction and reflection through shared creative projects. They also adapt materials and methods to each client’s abilities and interests.
Career Progression Opportunities
Experienced therapists can specialise by client group. They may also become senior or consultant therapists, managing therapy teams or departments. Creative therapists often train others, run professional workshops or contribute to service development. Further training is common; for instance, many art therapists pursue CBT or family therapy training to broaden their practice.
Why Work at GMMH
GMMH supports creative therapies as integral to mental health care. Our therapists work in vibrant multidisciplinary teams that value innovation in treatment. You will have access to on-the-job training, and we encourage professional development in new modalities and to wider professional networks. Working in Greater Manchester offers diverse settings – from urban community centres to countryside retreat programs – and GMMH’s strong research culture means you can help shape evidence-based creative therapy. We celebrate staff creativity and offer inclusive support for continuous learning.
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