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Find a Drama Therapist
Whether you're looking for in-person sessions or online therapy, here are the best ways to connect with a qualified drama therapist.
Whether you're looking for in-person sessions or online therapy, here are the best ways to connect with a qualified drama therapist.
To find a registered drama therapist: (1) Search the NADTA directory for Registered Drama Therapists (RDTs) in your area. (2) If you need to start online while you search, Online-Therapy.com offers a structured CBT platform with licensed therapists and creative tools. (3) Sessions typically cost $80-$200 in private practice; many therapists offer sliding scale fees.
Both work. The right one depends on where you live, what you can afford, and how you want to meet.
| Option AIn-person (RDT) | Option BOnline therapy | |
|---|---|---|
| Who you'll see | A Registered Drama Therapist credentialed by NADTA. | A licensed therapist, often with expressive-arts or creative-modality training. |
| Where to find | The NADTA directory · Psychology Today. | Online-Therapy.com · Grow Therapy · Psychology Today (filter for telehealth + creative arts). |
| Cost range | $80-$200 per 50-minute session. Some take insurance. | $60-$100 per week (subscription) or $30-$80 per session. |
| Best if | You want embodied work with props, movement, or group formats. | You live somewhere without an RDT, or you want flexibility. |
| Time to start | 1 to 4 weeks. First consult usually free or low-cost. | Typically within 48 hours of signing up. |
Use the NADTA directory or a trusted online platform. Filter by location or presenting concern.
Read their profiles. Look for RDT credentials, trauma training, and population experience.
Most offer a free 15-minute call. Ask the five questions below before committing.
Commit to 3 to 5 sessions, then ask yourself: do I feel safer, or not? Fit matters more than credentials.
Not all therapists are the same. Here are your best options depending on your needs and location.
Online-Therapy.com and Brightside Health are affiliate partners. If you sign up through those links, this site earns a small referral fee, at no extra cost to you, which helps keep this resource free and ad-free. NADTA, Psychology Today, BADTh, and EFD are not affiliate partners; they are listed because they are the most useful directories for the audience. Full disclosure →
Not everyone who uses theatre techniques in their work is a trained drama therapist. When looking for a practitioner, here's what to check:
Your first session will typically be an assessment conversation. The therapist will ask about your history, goals, and any concerns. You won't be asked to "perform" or do anything uncomfortable. Drama therapy always proceeds at your pace, with full consent.
Drama therapy sessions typically cost between $80-$200 per session depending on location, setting, and the therapist's experience. Many therapists offer sliding scale fees based on income. Some community mental health centers offer drama therapy groups at reduced or no cost.
Online subscription platforms like Online-Therapy.com typically cost $50-$100/week for video sessions, messaging, and creative therapy tools, often more affordable than private practice for clients without insurance.
Coverage varies. Drama therapists who are also licensed as counselors, social workers, or psychologists may be able to bill insurance under those credentials. It's worth calling your insurance provider and asking whether "expressive arts therapy" or "creative arts therapy" is covered, and whether the therapist is in-network.
The questions that come up most often when starting the search.
Yes, if you can manage it. Most drama therapists offer a free 15-minute consultation. Meeting two or three lets you compare how each one feels in conversation, which is information you cannot get from a written profile. If scheduling several feels like too much, even one call tells you more than a bio.
Trust that response. Fit is a real clinical factor in how therapy works. If a therapist seems rushed, distracted, defensive about your questions, or simply not someone you can be honest with, that is useful information. Try another.
Most people get a clearer read after three to five sessions. Drama therapy can feel unfamiliar at first, especially if you are used to talk therapy, so the very first session is rarely a fair test. After about five sessions, ask yourself: do I feel safer, more known, more able to reach what I came here for? If the answer is no, raise it with your therapist or consider switching.
Yes. Switching therapists is normal and part of finding the right fit. Many people see two or three before settling on one. You can tell your current therapist directly, or simply not rebook. A skilled drama therapist will understand and will not take it personally.
If no Registered Drama Therapist works in your area, telehealth is the most common workaround. Many RDTs see clients online from anywhere. Online-Therapy.com pairs you with a licensed therapist and includes creative therapeutic tools, which can be a useful starting point. You can also search Psychology Today for licensed therapists with expressive arts training, who often combine drama therapy methods with their primary modality.
No. The consultation is for both of you to assess fit. You can take time to think, follow up by email, or simply not book. Reputable drama therapists do not pressure clients to commit on the call.
Tell the therapist. Many offer a sliding scale based on income but do not advertise it publicly. It is fair to ask, and most therapists would rather adjust their fee than lose someone who needs the work. If they cannot offer a discount, ask whether they know a colleague who does, or whether a local university with a drama therapy training program offers lower-cost sessions through trainee clinicians.