A new creative therapeutic intervention for depression
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Arts for the Blues: A New Creative Psychological Therapy for Depression
IRAS ID
239471
Contact name
Vicky Karkou
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Edge Hill University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
In the UK, one in six adults qualify for a mental disorder with depression and anxiety being the most common mental health problem (Mental Health Foundation 2016). Despite the widely spread problem, treatment options remain limited to mainly medication and particular forms of talking therapies such as CBT (NICE 2009). Those with mental health issues argue that creative activities and arts psychotherapies are helpful, however these therapies are limited within NHS mental health services such as Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT), the main provider of evidence-based psychological therapies.
In response to this we have captured existing research findings to inform an evidence-based creative therapy intervention. More specifically, we identified and combined principles of evidence-based counselling for depression/CBT, dance movement psychotherapy and other arts therapies as well as creative interventions such as creative writing, visual art, dance and music. For this part of the research study, we intend to share aspects of this new intervention with NHS staff working in the delivery of psychological interventions and service users who will be invited to give feedback (verbally, artistically and numerically) on its usefulness and feasibility. We intend to use this feedback to further improve the creative psychological therapy under development.
Mental Health Foundation. (2016). Fundamental Facts About Mental Health. London: Mental Health Foundation.
NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) (2009) Depression in adults: recognition and management. Department of Health. Retrieved on 14th March 2017 from https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg90
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/SW/0182
Date of REC Opinion
13 Sep 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion