After returning to the board in 2024, having been a board member from March 2020 to September 2021 and Acting Vice Chair until October 2022, Amy was elected as Chair at the 2024 AGM. Amy has delivered dramatherapy: within an NHS CAMHS team with child and adolescent emotional wellbeing & mental health; within a youth and adolescents voluntary sector organisation; within a school setting (children and parents); within a community setting for adults with addictions and substance dependency; within an NHS setting for older adults with dementia and cognitive loss; and with clients who have experienced trauma, trafficking, bereavement, family separation, homelessness, and PTSD. Amy has a private practice, Play It Through Dramatherapy, and convenes the Religion and Spirit Matters subgroup of BADth's Inclusion and Visibility Subcommittee.

Debbie Oyewole is now Vice Chair after serving as an Executive Director for one year and executive committee intern for the year prior. She qualified as a Dramatherapist from Anglia Ruskin University in 2018. Debbie is an experienced CBT trained and informed Mental Health Practitioner. Debbie has worked in the NHS for over 11 years and demonstrates Team leader and Line Manager experience for the Mental Health support teams. She currently works in an NHS role that merges the gap between NHS and Education for Mental Health. Debbie is passionate and has a special interest working with children and young people in Mental Health. She has prior experience as board of trustee member, she is currently an advisory committee member for ‘Bennu’ and member of ‘Christians in Arts therapy’ Debbie is a content creator on YouTube providing content about Mental health, titled ‘LOVEHEALS’. Debbie is a freelance therapist and offering individual therapy for emotional and mental wellbeing.

Edward has joined the new Executive as of 2024. He brings a wealth of experience in leaderhsip and group dynamics from a broad range of groups and organisations, including concensus organising with national activist network, making insight on alterantive decision-making practices available to the board. A graduate of Roehampton University’s MA in Dramatherapy (2023), his current practice includes mytho-poetic menswork groups, and one-to-one therapy with looked after children. He has founded addiction recovery engagement initiatives (2018-2020) and the immersive installation company All Eyes Wide (2012-2015). He has previously been a company director for Hydra Books Ltd, a community hub for vulnerable groups in Bristol (2018-2020) and landlord committee member for a housing co-operative in Sheffield (2021-2023). His knowledge and experience of conflict resolution processes and dynamics assessment at depth from within the Men’s Mentoring Network A Band of Brothers (20117-present) supports the internal processes of the board and its outreach to the wider membership.

Emma has a background in musical theatre and youth outreach. She undertook her BA(hons) in Drama in 2006 with a focus on community theatre and drama for wellbeing, concentrating her dissertation on how evidence-based practice was improving attitudes towards Dramatherapy within the NHS. After graduating, Emma worked as a Drama Facilitator and Pastoral Support in one of the top independent prep schools in the country, before completing her MA at ARU in 2013. She has worked as a Dramatherapist in a variety of settings, including adult outpatient mental health, youth justice settings, disability services and in mainstream education. Her current role is School Project Manager and Clinical Supervisor for national children’s charity Place2Be. In 2015 Emma was chosen to be the Godmother of Royal Caribbean cruise liner Anthem of the Seas, an opportunity she used as a platform to speak in the worldwide media about her work as a Dramatherapist. She went on to successfully work as part of an international corporate comms team, alongside her private practice as a therapist, developing skills which she hopes will stand her in good stead in her new position as Executive Board Member (elected 2024). Emma is passionate about creativity for wellbeing and in her spare time is a committed member of the Military Wives Choir.

Francesca was elected to the Executive Committee at the 2024 AGM. As an HCPC-registered Dramatherapist, she works with adults in the NHS community and inpatient services and with students with severe learning difficulties at a SEND high school. She works extensively with personality disorders and is interested in the intersectionality of trauma, neurodiversity and diagnosis. Francesca has a rich background in theatre, having initially trained as an actor before working as an Outreach Manager, facilitator, artistic director, and theatre director for professional and community theatre companies. She is passionate about making the arts accessible to all and using creativity to foster self-expression, build meaningful connections and support emotional healing. A proud BADth member since her trainee days at Roehampton, Francesca aims to strengthen the sense of belonging within the Dramatherapy community, ensuring members’ voices are heard and actively involved in shaping the future.

Jack was elected to the Executive Committee in 2024, and qualified as a dramatherapist in 2022 from the University of Roehampton. Currently he works in an in-patient setting offering dramatherapy as part of a multi-disciplinary team. He has particular experience and interest in using dramatherapy to support people in their recovery from eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder and ARFID, alongside using dramatherapy to support people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Alongside this, he works in a third sector organisation specialising in supporting the LGBTQ+ community. As a member of BADth, he has also co-founded and co-facilitates an LGBTQ+ dramatherapist peer support space and is passionate about increasing public awareness of Dramatherapy as a powerful approach in supporting people's mental health. 

Marissa was elected onto the Executive Committee at the 2024 AGM. Marissa qualified in Drama and Movement Therapy (Sesame) (MA) from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2017, and as an Autism Practitioner from University College London in 2022. She currently works as a Mental Health Adviser at Anglia Ruskin University and is an Experiential Group Leader for their Dramatherapy training MA. She also works freelance as a therapist, mental health consultant, and supervisor. Marissa is a published researcher, and a Professional Doctorate student investigating the use of outcome measurement in Higher Education Institution mental health provisions.

Natalie Wilson (she/they) was elected to the Executive Committee at the 2024 AGM. Graduating in 2023 from RCSSD, she is a HCPC-registered Dramatherapist in private practice. She has a specific interest in working with LGBTQIA+ clients and older LGBT+ adults. Before training in Drama & Movement Therapy, Natalie led a busy career as a theatre director, working across regional stages, drama schools and community settings for 25+ years. Natalie was Artistic Director / CEO of Theatre Centre for 12 years, guiding the company through organisational change and three National Portfolio funding rounds. They aim to bring their strategic and executive experience to BADth’s Executive Committee to re-energise BADth’s mission to serve the Dramatherapy community and grow its membership.

Taylor Mitchell is a Dramatherapist. Taylor frequently presents at conferences and guest lectures. Taylor is a member of the Black African and Asian Therapy Network and is a Peer-Reviewed Journal Author and Editorial Board member and has been a guest editor for the dramatherapy journal. Visit www.dramatherapyt.com for further enquiries.

Rosie is an HCPC Dramatherapist, with training from Roehampton (MA Dramatherapy 2022) and through Psyche and Soma - Soulmaking through the Sesame Approach (Prof Cert’ 2019). Rosie works as an Arts Therapist with adults experiencing persistent physical symptoms, and older adults with dementia and complex mental health needs at East London NHS Foundation Trust. Rosie has experienced a varied career journey, including community arts production and gardening; debt advice casework and management; and socially engaged research and training. Rosie is passionate about advocating for Dramatherapy as a healing modality, and promoting holistic approaches to health that integrate physical and mental health.

Sarah is an experienced bookkeeper with many years’ experience working with statutory agencies, charities, small to medium size businesses and individuals. Sarah specialises in Xero and Sage accounting software and has qualified as a Certified Xero Advisor. She is currently undertaking her AAT Accountants course with the aim that one day she can offer clients Bookkeeping and Accountancy services.

Natalie joined BADth in June 2021 and has has over 8 years bookkeeping and admin experience. Natalie has many skills, namely honesty, excellent time management, and great communication skills.