Health Career: Art, Dance, Drama and Music Therapists
Who are art, dance, drama and music therapists, and what do they do?
These therapists design and lead creative programs to help improve peoples' health. They may use drawing, painting, sculpting, drama, singing or music to counsel people with a variety of health problems. These artistic activities may help patients find the intrinsic joy of art and develop social or physical skills. These health professionals work to overcome patient depression, recover lost basic motor functions and build confidence using a range of activities.
How do art, dance, drama and music therapists typically spend their day?
As an art, dance, drama or music therapist, you will work in many different settings, including community health clinics, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, private doctor's offices and rehabilitation health facilities. You may work with specialized populations such as senior citizens, people with learning problems or people who have emotional problems or are disabled.
You will use the arts as a counseling technique to help people with physical or mental problems feel better about themselves and better accept and improve their conditions. For example, you may help a depressed person learn how to draw and paint in order for them to understand his/her feelings. Or you may use a drama exercise to help a family act out their feelings toward one another. You may also lead art, dance, drama or music classes in a health care setting such as a hospital or health clinic.
What does it take to be a good art, dance, drama or music therapist?
Do you enjoy art and want to use it to help others improve their overall health? Then you may want to consider pursuing a career as an art, dance, drama or music therapist. To be effective in this career, you should know a great deal about the arts and be interested in teaching. You should be patient and understanding when working with patients with very different needs, and you should cultivate an imagination that allows you to adapt activities to different patients.
What are some health-related jobs that are similar to those of an art, dance, drama or music therapist?
Health educator, mental health counselor, occupational therapist, physical therapist, recreational therapist, medical social worker.
Helpful links and more information:
- Recreation Therapist – Monster.com
- American Art Therapy Association
- Art Therapy Credentials Board
- Career Browser – CollegeBoard.com – Music Therapy
American Music Therapy Association
8455 Colesville Road, Suite 1000
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: (301) 589-3300
www.musictherapy.org
