Creative Therapies Research Articles

The kinetic family in action: An intermodal assessment model

This paper presents the structured four-phase Kinetic Family in Action (KFiA) assessment model that aims to identify both implicit and explicit issues within the client’s family system to inform clinical practice. The KFiA assessment model is based on art therapy and psychodrama family work, and inspired by intermodal expressive arts therapy theory and practice. It involves a sequential process of intermodal transfer across three modalities of expression: from drawing, through writing, to acting. The transition from an individual to a group work format promotes the active exploration of central components of the client’s family system, such as beliefs and patterns, narratives, roles, dynamics, and subgroups. The model is suitable for use in creative arts interventions on family issues. After a presentation of the conceptual framework, the assessment dimensions are described, followed by a case illustration that demonstrates key processes and techniques. The discussion centers on future directions for research and practice.

Arts for the Blues: The development of a new evidence‐based creative group psychotherapy for depression

AbstractIntroductionDepression affects many adults in the UK, often resulting in referral to primary care mental health services (e.g. improving access to psychological therapies, IAPT). CBT is the main modality for depression within IAPT, with other approaches offered in a limited capacity. Arts psychotherapies are rarely provided despite their attractiveness to clients. However, the recent dropout rate of 64% within IAPT suggests that clients’ needs are not being fully met. Therefore, in order to expand clients’ choice we developed a new creative psychological therapy integrating evidence‐based approaches with arts psychotherapies.MethodA three‐level approach was used: (a) thematic synthesis of client‐identified helpful factors in evidence‐based approaches for depression and in arts psychotherapies; (b) studio practice exploring Cochrane Review findings on arts psychotherapies for depression; (c) pilot workshops for clients with depression and therapists.Findings and DiscussionEight key ingredients for positive therapy outcomes were identified: encouraging active engagement, learning skills, developing relationships, expressing emotions, processing at a deeper level, gaining understanding, experimenting with different ways of being and integrating useful material. These ingredients were brought together as Arts for the Blues for clients with depression: a 12‐session evidence‐based pluralistic group psychotherapy integrating creative methods as well as talking therapy.ConclusionThe evidence‐based foundation, creative content and pluralistic nature of this new approach aligned with eight client‐identified key ingredients for positive therapy outcomes make it a promising therapy option that can be adapted to individual therapy. Implications include consideration for NICE approval as an additional therapy for depression.

Effects of creative expression program on the event-related potential and task reaction time of elderly with mild cognitive impairment

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 16-week creative expression intervention program (CrExp) on the event-related potential (ERP) and task reaction time in older individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MethodsThis study is a randomized controlled clinical trial conducted in the Memory Center of Fujian Provincial hospital. Thirty-six MCI patients were randomly distributed into two groups. One group underwent a 16-week creative expression program (CrExp, n = 18) and the other performed as a control group (CG, n = 18) by general social activities. The amplitude and latency of ERP-P300 from the central (Cz), parietal (Pz), frontal (Fz) cortices and task reaction time (RT) were assessed at baseline, post-interventi on, and 24-week follow-up. ResultsThe CrExp group showed greater differences than CG of P300 latency in Cz (F = 4.37, P = 0.015), Pz (F = 2.78, P = 0.009), Fz (F = 6.45, P = 0.031) brain area after 16 weeks of intervention and in Fz (F = 3.23, P = 0.028), Cz (F = 3.79, P = 0.024), and Pz (F = 5.60, P = 0.036) at 24 weeks follow-up. Also, we analyzed the task reaction time between two groups and found that a shorten reaction time at post-intervention (F = 4.47, P = 0.011) and 24 weeks follow-up (F = 3.12, P = 0.007) in the CrExp group. However, there was no difference in P300 amplitude in either brain area between the two groups. ConclusionThe electrophysiological results of the creative expression cognitive therapy group were more obvious than those of the general cognitive therapy group, and the latency and task reaction time may be considered as supported parameters in diagnosing the effects during non-drug therapy intervention in clinical practice.

Using creative arts therapy workshops to explore stoma patients' feelings.

Using creative arts therapy workshops to explore stoma patients' feelings.

Flowing towards freedom with multimodal creative therapy: The healing power of therapeutic arts for ex cult-members

Creative arts can play an important role for cult survivors in surviving, transcending and healing from their past realities. Flow – an empowering state of mind-body integration and skilful, intuitive action while engaged in a challenging yet enjoyable task (Csikszentmihalyi, 1997) – may be an important mechanism in arts therapies and may be especially impactful as an experience for cult survivors. Research reporting on arts therapies for cult survivors, Flow in cult survivors and Flow in arts therapies is currently severely lacking. This study reports on a multimodal creative psychological therapy, Arts for the Blues, piloted as a workshop with a small group of cult survivors. Results obtained from three participants show that they experienced Flow in their creative activities and increased attainment in a self-selected personal goal. Interviews with two participants reveal important considerations for working with cult survivors, the healing power of the arts, the attainment of Flow states in the process, and the impact of the Arts for the Blues approach. This study is the first of its kind to trial art therapies with ex cult-members, or to document participants’ views on Flow states during an arts therapy approach. Although limited by a small sample size, further research is warranted.

Book review: Trauma in the Creative and Embodied Therapies: When Words Are Not Enough

Book review: <i>Trauma in the Creative and Embodied Therapies: When Words Are Not Enough</i>

Book review: Creative Therapies for Complex Trauma: Helping Children and Families in Foster Care, Kinship Care or Adoption

Book review: <i>Creative Therapies for Complex Trauma: Helping Children and Families in Foster Care, Kinship Care or Adoption</i>

In/visible faces: Dramatherapy as a tool for creating a space of possibilities with refugees

Between June and October 2017, Serbian NGO Talas Creative Therapies conducted dramatherapy workshops with eight male refugees between the ages of 14 and 30 in Belgrade, Serbia. They came from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran, and were attempting to reach Western Europe by crossing through the Balkan Route. Through the use of fictional characters, dramatic enactment, poetry, art and music, we focused on the healthy components of people’s personalities and helped them to cope with life struggles. The dramatherapy method helped to facilitate the processes of healing, integration, and growth, and to restore communication through creative and often non-verbal means. This article will examine the potential of the dramatherapy method when working with refugees, while exploring three key aspects of our process: the development of a model of dramatherapy with refugees in Serbia; lessons learned; and the outcomes of the work seen through the development of the participants.

The Philosophy of Expressive Arts Therapy: Poiesis and the Therapeutic Imagination, Stephen K. Levine (2019)

Review of: The Philosophy of Expressive Arts Therapy: Poiesis and the Therapeutic Imagination, Stephen K. Levine (2019) London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 176 pp., ISBN 978-1-78775-005-0, p/bk, £22.99

Creative Arts Therapies and the LGBTQ Community: Theory and Practice, Brianna MacWilliam, Brian Harris, Dana Trottier and Kristin Long (eds) (2019)

Review of: Creative Arts Therapies and the LGBTQ Community: Theory and Practice, Brianna MacWilliam, Brian Harris, Dana Trottier and Kristin Long (eds) (2019) Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 284 pp., ISBN 978-1-78592-796-6, p/bk, $34.95

Oncologic Children Undergoing Radiotherapy: Ways to Alleviate the Psychological Burden: A Review.

Radiation therapy is stressful for both the patient and family. After a child's cancer diagnosis, parents face the burden of dealing with fear, their children's needs and the unfamiliarity of radiotherapy procedure. This paper aims to present methods to alleviate the total psychological stress those children and parents feel during the radiation course. A literature search was performed until January 2020. Previous publications suggest a multidisciplinary proactive approach involving health professionals, patient, family, and extended family to lessen the stress associated with radiation therapy. A well-trained, specialist, healthcare radiotherapy-pediatric staff can help, educate and communicate effectively with the family. Maintaining the same health staff during radiotherapy creates intimacy and reduces anxiety. All necessary age-appropriate information as well as a list available with the most important things about the care-giving should be clearly written and easily accessible. An information exchange system among all the health specialists involved must be developed. Friendly and playful specialists are crucial in familiarizing the child with the computed tomography (CT) machines and radiotherapy process. A tablet with an educating application or machine models installed in the waiting area can be useful. Creative arts therapy may be a positive intervention. Maintaining a normal routine is vital for the psychological well-being of parents and children. A social worker may assist in regaining a good mental state. With ongoing age-appropriate information and psychological support throughout the whole radiation period, both parents and children will be more optimistic, strong and encouraged to fight for the child's and family's well-being.

Trauma in the Creative and Embodied Therapies: When Words are not Enough, Anna Chesner and sissy lykou (eds) (2021)

Review of: Trauma in the Creative and Embodied Therapies: When Words are not Enough, Anna Chesner and sissy lykou (eds) (2021) Oxon and New York: Routledge, 190 pp., ISBN 978-1-13847-922-7, hbk, $160 ISBN 978-1-13847-921-0, pbk, $38.95 ISBN 978-1-35106-626-6, ebk, $38.95

‘Art is my language’: Expanding the role of creative arts therapy in a public health system during COVID-19

‘Art is my language’: Expanding the role of creative arts therapy in a public health system during COVID-19

미취학 자녀를 둔 양육모의 양육스트레스 해소와 양육태도 개선을 위한 예술매개 심리지원 프로그램 개발

미취학 자녀를 둔 양육모의 양육스트레스 해소와 양육태도 개선을 위한 예술매개 심리지원 프로그램 개발

Life story and the arts: A didactic crossroad

The following notes from the field introduces an original approach to working with narrative, storytelling and artistic expression in the framework of the creative and expressive arts therapies. Using an interview methodology developed by Amia Lieblich, a team of creative and expressive arts therapists teaching at The Academic College of Society and the Arts in Netanya, Israel, shares their theoretical observations and practical perspectives about moving from verbal to non-verbal expression of personal and collective stories. These insights emerged during an introductory course that the authors taught to creative and expressive arts therapists. We posit that life story work, both in regard to oneself and to others, from single episode memory or the documentation of the entire life course, may be of tremendous worth in the training of creative and expressive art therapists.

Living with personality disorder and seeking mental health treatment: patients and family members reflect on their experiences

BackgroundDespite effective treatments for personality disorders being developed, consumers and carers often report negative experiences of mental health services, including challenges accessing these treatments.MethodsThis qualitative study used separate focus groups to compare the unique perspectives of consumer and carers, and to investigate how to improve services for individuals with personality disorders. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.ResultsBoth consumers and carers (N = 15) discussed the value of providing appropriate information to consumers when they are diagnosed with personality disorder. Consumers and carers described the importance of creating a safe environment for consumers when they present to the emergency department. Both groups discussed experiencing positive and negative treatment from mental health professionals, and suggested that professionals should be trained to understand personality disorder. Limited accessibility and quality of services, and offering peer support to consumers were also described by consumers and carers. Consumers and carers also had perspectives which were unique to their group. Consumers identified the importance of psychological treatment, having a strong therapeutic relationship with a mental health professional, and the benefit of long term psychotherapy with the same professional. Broadening the scope of psychotherapies including creative, animal-assisted, and physical therapies was recommended by consumers. Carers described the importance of assessing for personality disorder and intervening early. Involvement in the assessment, diagnosis, and intervention process was important to carers. The desire to be recognized and supported by mental health professionals was discussed by carers.ConclusionsThis research contributes to the concern that consumers with personality disorder and their carers experience stigma and low quality care within mental health services. In line with these findings, we recommend guidelines for health professionals who work with consumers with personality disorder.

Trauma and Expressive Arts Therapy: Brain, Body, and Imagination in the Healing Process, Cathy A. Malchiodi

Trauma and Expressive Arts Therapy: Brain, Body, and Imagination in the Healing Process, Cathy A. Malchiodi

My unique poem is me: our poems are universal. A creative interactive poetry Therapy inquiry

ABSTRACT This article contributes to understanding the relationship between the concept of Poetry Therapy (PT) and its application in practice. The article examines the benefits of a Creative Interactive Poetry Therapy Model (CIPT) within a group-based intervention program for empowerment and well-being. The article reflects data of four studies in different school settings that practiced the natural expressive writing according to the CIPT model. The four studies used qualitative and quantitative measures to examine the effects of the complete CIPT process – writing, reading out loud, sharing feedback. Although the facilitators, the population and the research questions vary – the results show that such a process is effective for students and others who seek well-being. The studied written poems are one of a kind, express the human soul and touch the listener and the reader in a group setting. Being both unique and universal they empower participants in understanding themselves and the world.

Factors affecting mothers' satisfaction with expressive and creative therapy provided to adolescents with learning disabilities: self-efficacy, stress and duration of therapy

In view of the paucity of evidence on satisfaction with expressive and creative therapy among mothers to adolescents with learning disability in the context of special education schools, the present study examined the relationship between mothers' satisfaction with therapy and two psychological measures – self-efficacy and stress. Satisfaction was also examined in relation to duration of therapy. The sample comprised 54 mothers to adolescents with LD who were in therapy for at least one year. Data was collected via five structured questionnaires. The findings reveal that satisfaction with therapy in general was positively related to mothers' self-efficacy and negatively related to level of stress, whereas perceived effectiveness of therapy was not related to the two psychological measures. Duration of therapy, on the other hand, was positively related to perceived effectiveness of therapy but not related to satisfaction with therapy in general. The theoretical implications of the results and their practical implications for expressive and creative therapy within schools are discussed.

Supportive Psychotherapy

Supportive Psychotherapy