Suzanne Aitken is a Lecturer in Dramatherapy, within the Division of Occupational Therapy and Arts Therapies at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Suzanne also has affiliations to several other organisations; Registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Arts Therapist (Drama), Registered with Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Registered Mental Health Nurse and a Full Member of The British Association of Dramatherapists.
- Overview
- Research Interests
Suzanne has a background in theatre and applied theatre practices having studied BA Dramatic Studies at RSAMD, Glasgow. On graduating her theatre practice soon developed and became established within mental health charities and working within learning disabilities communities in and around the Glasgow area. A curiosity to learn and develop a greater understanding of both the client groups and the impact of theatre, Suzanne trained as a Mental Health Nurse at Napier University, Edinburgh, before training in the Sesame Approach to Drama and Movement Therapy at CCSD, London.
Suzanne initiated the Introduction to Dramatherapy course with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (previously RSAMD, Glasgow) which she facilitated with her QMU Dramatherapy colleague, and together they went on to establish the Short Course Dramatherapy at QMU. Suzanne has contributed to establishing the new MSc Dramatherapy at QMU throughout the HCPC validation process.
Suzanne has recently stepped back from her role in the NHS after 24 years service, where over those years she had held a range of roles across both Adult Mental Health Services and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. She continues to hold a private practice offering Dramatherapy and Clinical Supervision, and also offers Supervision, Reflective Practice and Consultancy to third sector agencies across Scotland.
Active research interests:
Body, Movement and Trauma;
Somatic Resonance;
Vicarious Trauma;
Developmental Trauma and Emergent Neurodiversity;
Historic Trauma and Emergent Auto-Immune Disorders.
