Creativity and change: The two-tiered creative arts therapy approach to co-dependency treatment

Abstract

Co-dependency, the companion “disease” to addiction, has been referred to as the 20th century condition (Cermak, 1986, p. 9). Popularized in books and periodicals, endlessly discussed on television and radio talk shows, painfully described by participants in the anonymous fellowships of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Al-Anon, Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA), Overeaters Anonymous (OA). codependency has dcmonstratcd its staying power. After extcnsivc rcscarch and clinical experience in this area, the writer wishes to state that codependency is a bona fide. recognizable clinical entity that appears to respond positively to therapeutic intervention. Researchers in the field arc concluding that the co-dependent stance may be based on an incomplete identity formation and compromised ego structure (Bradshaw. 1988. 1990; Smith, 1988; Subby, 1987). In other words, if “who one really is” is not clear, then “who one is in the world” will show any number of distortions as well. It has also been reported that verbal, insightoriented psychotherapy alone may not fully reach the preverbal layers of co-dependency (Bradshaw, 1990; Whitfield. 1987). Similarly, repeated cathartic selfdisclosure at l2-step meetings, although therapeutic, may not necessarily ensure that actual consolidation of self and ego integration, leading to deep structural change, is taking place in the co-dependent either (Smith. 1988; Wegscheider-Cruse & Cruse, 1990). Treatment opportunities that are specially designed to respond with accuracy to the needs of this population appear necessary. It is this writer’s belief that the dance therapist or other creative arts therapist, working alone or in a co-leadership capacity with an allied trained professional, offers the best, most complete, and therefore most hopeful therapy to this large patient group. The following describes a two-tiered creative arts therapy model of treatment for co-dependency, developed and implemented by the writer on the Inpatient Impaired Professionals Unit at the Institute of Living, t lartford, Connecticut.