Routinely prescribed psychological therapies for depression are not always effective. Arts therapies, particularly Dance Movement Psychotherapy, may offer additional therapeutic mechanisms for depression. Therefore, client-reported helpful factors from various therapy types, along with client preferences, are key in devising new therapeutic interventions. We present a framework for a new pluralistic 'meta-approach' of therapy for depression, based on an interdisciplinary thematic synthesis (Thomas & Harden, 2008) of active ingredients from both talking therapies and creative approaches.Lastly, we offer an example group therapy workshop based on this approach, to be piloted with clients and practitioners within an NHS mental health service. Further research is required to evaluate this pilot and to devise a full treatment for trialling within the service.
Introduction: Depression 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 evidencebased approaches with arts psychotherapies. Method: A 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 Discussion: Eight 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. Conclusion:The 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.
Aims: The purpose of this study was to identify what patients with primary cancers found helpful in therapy. Method: Indepth qualitative interviews were conducted with eight patients who had completed a course of psychological therapy within an NHS psychology service for cancer patients. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: The participants identified a range of helpful processes in therapy: talking and expressing their feelings to someone outside of the family; forming a relationship with their therapist; normalisation through the therapists' expert knowledge; problem-solving and CBT. Limitations: As with all qualitative studies, the small sample and size and dependence on participant recall limits generalisability of the findings. Implications: The findings of this study are consistent with a pluralistic perspective: that multiple therapeutic processes -aligned to a range of different orientations -can be of value to patients with primary cancers. This supports the provision of a range of therapeutic interventions and strategies for this patient group.
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