Case studies : Dramatherapist: Morven Scott

Morven has a degree in acting from Queen Margaret University and an MA Dramatherapy from Anglia Ruskin University. She works as a dramatherapist in a mainstream primary school supporting children with emotional, social, learning and behavioural needs...

I qualified as a dramatherapist after completing my Masters at Anglia Ruskin University  in Cambridge. With an undergraduate degree in acting and a background working with drama and children, dramatherapy felt like a very natural progression which utilised my previous experience, skills and interests.

Anglia Ruskin's dramatherapy Masters is a full-time, two year course which is mentally demanding and requires students to undergo personal therapy. The course incorporates a strong theoretical component, which in my experience was invaluable in underpinning clinical work.

Clinical placements offer an opportunity to experience the different sectors in which dramatherapists work. The course teaching is rich and diverse and encompasses workshops and seminars from professional dramatherapists and other health professionals.

I currently work as a dramatherapist two days a week in a mainstream primary school supporting children with emotional, social, learning and behavioural needs. The work is challenging but very rewarding. I work as part of a school support team and am responsible for assessing referrals, working dramatherapeutically with children individually and in small groups, and linking back to the whole team to ensure that the child is supported in all areas.

My role involves working autonomously - planning sessions, keeping notes and writing reports. However, liaising with other health professionals, staff and families is a core part of my work.

I am registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)  and am a member of the British Association of Dramatherapists (BADth)  and follow their codes of practice and ethics. It is essential to respect the confidentiality of those I work with, while also adhering to best practice regarding any child protection issues.

As a practising dramatherapist it is required that you undertake supervision with an experienced practitioner on a regular basis. This offers an invaluable space to consider, share and think about the work, as well as providing safeguards for the therapeutic process.

Finding work as a dramatherapist can be difficult and you may need to be both flexible and creative to find opportunities to gain relevant experience. I was fortunate in securing work from one of my student placements. The BADth currently runs a graduate scheme where newly qualified dramatherapists are linked with a practising dramatherapist to offer support with the transition into work.

I am very passionate about the work I do as a dramatherapist and I hope to gain further employment so that my working week increases. My ambitions are to continue to learn and develop my skills and I actively seek opportunities to do this. The work can be tough because of the needs and difficulties being presented. However, I greatly enjoy thinking and working creatively and building relationships that offer children a supportive space.