Stephanie L. Brooke and Charles E. Myers (Eds.): The Use of the Creative Therapies in Treating Depression

Abstract

Depression is a beast that knows no boundaries. It does not discriminate based on age, gender, race, religion, or socioeconomic status. The World Health Organization estimates that 350 million people across the globe are affected by depression and it is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Author and blog writer Therese Borchard wrote, ‘‘I wish people knew that depression is complex, that it is a physiological condition with psychological and spiritual components, and therefore can’t be forced into any neat and tidy box, that healing needs to come from lots of kinds of sources and that every person’s recovery is different.’’ Indeed, the suffering depression imparts can be as diverse as the individuals affected by its’ wretched grasp. A holistic approach, tailored to the uniqueness of each individual, should always be considered as part of best clinical practice. The Use of Creative Therapies in Treating Depression provides an overview of how art, play, music, dance/movement, drama, and animals can be therapeutic modalities in clinical work with depression across the lifespan. In 18 of the 20 chapters, a creative therapy is introduced and its’ application with a particular patient population is reviewed. Each chapter provides a synopsis of the authors’ credentials in the both the practice and education of their creative field. The first chapter provides an overview of depression across the lifespan, while the final chapter addresses ethical considerations in the clinical application of these modalities. Dorothy Miraglia and Stephanie Brooke begin the book with a brief historical overview of depression. Chapter 1 also examines depression across the lifespan as well as the association between creativity and depression. Examples of famous figures throughout history and their creative achievements are highlighted, mainly within the context of Bipolar Disorder. Although these individual works are well known during the artists’ periods of mania, the authors are able to present how these works differed during periods of depression. This chapter concludes with an overview of the book. In Chapter 2, Deborah Elkis-Abuhoff addresses how adolescents with depression may be treated using art therapy. She discusses depressive disorders in adolescents and the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in the treatment of adolescent depression. She goes on to address how the addition of art therapy to this modality can enhance the therapeutic process. The use of collage, clay, self-reflection with mirrors, and altered books is discussed. Each art therapy approach is explained and research supporting the efficacy of these approaches is presented. The remainder of the chapter provides a comprehensive case illustration involving a 16-year-old female named Ashley. The author gives a detailed account of how each of these approaches was used in treatment and their impact throughout the therapy process. Photographs of Ashley’s collages, clay, reflection, and altered book give the reader a deeper appreciation of how these modalities are implemented. In Chapter 3, Lisa Hinz discusses the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC) and how it may be used in the assessment and treatment of depression. This conceptual model represents all levels of creative expression and functioning, ranging from the most basic kinesthetic/sensory level to the most complex cognitive/symbolic level. & Brandy Chaneb BrandyL.Chaneb@ky.gov