Overview

For those who wish to follow a unique vocational training in the principles and practice of the Sesame approach to drama and movement therapy. Our approach places emphasis on the creative and expressive use of the imagination within the safety and containment of the art form, and draws principally on the work of C G Jung, Rudolph Laban and Peter Slade.

In the first three terms, you will follow a weekly programme of practical and theoretical classes, including attendance at a dramatherapy group. You will participate in a residential weekend during the summer term. During the first three terms you will study Drama and Improvisation, Rudolph Laban's principles of movement, Movement with Touch, Myth Enactment, Analytical Psychology, Human Development and Clinical Studies. The course aims to inspire your senses, intuition and feelings, as well as your academic thinking.

You will undertake clinical work on a number of placements outside the School with on-site supervision. The first three placements, during terms two and three, are undertaken on an apprenticeship model based in a variety of educational, health or social services contexts. You will be one in a group of three students and will facilitate sessions with clients alongside a supervising dramatherapist. For your MA dissertation you will undertake a fourth and final independent placement comprising the final 100 hours of required client contact. You will present a clinical case study at the conclusion of study, and participate in a viva voce exam.

'The course's strong emphasis on experiential learning and personal development is underpinned by a strong theory, which enabled a consolidation of my former instincts. It also involved using the Sesame method in many settings, including work with people with substance misuse issues, the homeless, families, people with mental health issues, and currently in my case, with fathers.'
Ben Yeger, recent graduate

Course description

The MA Drama and Movement Therapy (Sesame) course is a full-time programme leading to the award of Master of Arts and registration with the Health Professions Council. The course runs as a Masters programme and students are enrolled from October to February.

The course is the only full-time Dramatherapy course in the country and teaches a specific approach to Dramatherapy - the Sesame Approach. This approach has a rich history and incorporates the philosophies and theories of certain psychologists and pioneering practitioners - Carl Gustaf Jung, Rudolf Laban, Peter Slade and Marian Lindkvist.

In keeping with the underlying principles of the postgraduate faculty at Central, the Sesame course has an emphasis on experiential learning and reflective practice. In the first term, students work experientially with core subjects and keep journals for the units of Myth, Laban, Drama and Human Development. Alongside this, Jungian theory is introduced along with guided reading. Students spend at least four days at Central per week and work as a member of the group in all the different course units.

In the second and third terms students are given the opportunity to research and facilitate sessions, developing interests and paths of enquiry. Individual and/or co-facilitations in the subject areas of Myth, Drama and Laban are accompanied by further study of the application of drama and movement in therapy and placements. The placements are on Fridays in the second and third terms and run as 'group apprenticeship model' placements. These involve students working in groups of three or four and facilitating and co-facilitating weekly sessions with support from a specialist supervisor.

During the second and third terms, students plan where they will work on placement(s) during the fourth term. Support in deciding about areas of interest and then in finding these placements is given.

In the fourth term (July - February) students work more independently, gathering work experience and generating the additional 80 hours of clinical practice required in order to qualify as a Dramatherapist. Three-weekly supervision is offered at Central. Individual supervision is independently arranged and paid for by the student in the fourth term. Students also research and write their portfolio during this time. Students are assigned a personal tutor during the fourth term to tutor them on their portfolio.

The course is intended for individuals (usually graduates) who are interested in the application of drama and movement in the therapeutic context. It provides professional training in Dramatherapy, which leads to state registration as an Arts Therapist (Drama). Whilst the course is a vocational training as a therapist, it also introduces opportunities for research.

Application process

In order to apply, you should submit a completed application form. Applicants without a degree should also submit an essay with their form. Details of this are available from Registry. Further information on the application process at the Central School of Speech and Drama is available by clicking here (opens in a separate window).

It is expected that applicants will have previous experience of working with the Arts in a community/care setting over a period of at least one year. This is expected to be full-time and applicants will be expected to describe this work in full in the application form. Some applicants have previous experience in areas such as drama in education, community arts, counselling and care work.

Assessment

You will be assessed by a range of methods which include viva voce exams, written assignments and assessment of clinical practice and ongoing group work. There is ongoing tutor, peer and self-assessment

The Central School of Speech and Drama

• A vibrant drama-based postgraduate community.
• An international reputation within the field of performance, theatre, drama education and Dramatherapy.
• An excellent research-active staff team.
• Links with a wide range of educational and national health service institutions.
• The facilitation of professional and practice-based placement opportunities.

Tuition costs

Please visit the Central School of Speech & Drama website by clicking here for fees for full-time UK, European Union & overseas students.

Alternatively, please contact Registry for further information on 020 7559 3901 or email enquiries AT cssd.ac.uk, replacing the AT with @.

Additional costs

Students are required to complete a certain amount of hours of therapy during the course. This is a requirement of the British Association for Dramatherapists (BADth) and endorsed by the Health Professions Council (HPC). This would consist of personal therapy and some group Dramatherapy. Students meet the costs of their therapy, and the costs of traveling to placements.

Students also meet the cost of supervision in the fourth term. This is fortnightly over a period of approximately six months. Click here for more information about Clinical Supervision.

For an idea of costs of therapy during the course please click here.