Deborah Project Director, Roundabout "I work with individuals and groups to use the creative nature of drama to explore relevant issues. I also help run a charity in order to enhance employment opportunities for dramatherapists."

Deborah is a co-founder of the charity Roundabout. Roundabout runs drama therapy sessions across London using Health Professions Council registered dramatherapists who are employed by Roundabout or work freelance for the charity. Deborah splits her time between running the charity and working as a dramatherapist in the field.

Most dramatherapists I meet are freelance workers.

There are very few dramatherapists in full-time employment – most are freelancers working for themselves. This suits a lot of people. But I wanted a different way of working so I set up Roundabout in 1985 with Lynn. Lynn and I project manage Roundabout together. We're pioneers in providing dramatherapy in this way.

What do you do in dramatherapy and what sorts of people do you work with?

We've got about 20 projects running across London. Sometimes we work with groups (about 10 people if they're adults), sometimes we work one-to-one. We work with all ages from pre-nursery children to older people, with a wide range of needs. At the moment I'm working with primary school children, both in the main stream and those diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

I'm also working with adults with learning disabilities and adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). Clients with complex needs like this we see one-to-one.

Do you work on your own?

Sometimes. At other times I might work with another dramatherapist. But we work with other professionals too. We usually ask for a liaison person at the places we work at so that we can give feedback on sessions. And there is a whole range of other people we might work with – other centre or school staff, other therapists (like arts therapists), parents and carers, translators even.

How do you work with clients?

What we aim to do is to use the creative nature of working together with drama to engage with issues relevant to the group. This may be something specific with, say, a mainstream primary group – like transition (moving from primary to secondary schools). Or with mainstream and other groups it might be issues like relationships with peers, listening, building confidence, developing confidence to access services. As we work we help to develop each client’s ability to take part, to work creatively with others, and to express themselves through drama.

We apply some important principles in our work. We agree with the group (all members of the group including staff) how we're going to work. And we often use a repeatable format so the clients become comfortable with the structure. But the content changes.

What about running the charity?

We've got a large team – 5 employed therapists, 10 freelancers and 2 administration staff. Quite a lot of time is spent raising funds. This includes paper work and applications, putting together project proposals and budgeting. I also spend a lot of time setting up new work and visiting other projects. I'm also closely involved in recruiting new staff, including interviewing.

What are the most challenging aspects?

The challenge lies in working with clients who are experiencing very difficult and upsetting circumstances and trying to be part of the process that can help make a difference to their lives. In contrast another challenge arises when you apply for funds and you have to find a way of expressing a very action-based process on paper so that funders can understand what dramatherapy is all about. But we've been very successful in doing it and now get great feedback from funders.

And the best bits?

Watching clients becoming absolutely engaged in the sessions. Watching them have fun and learning through the fun. And being successful with major funders. I always feel 'Great! – They're interested in us' – it's a terrific feeling.