Investigating Art Psychotherapy and Complex Psychological Trauma
Research type
Research Study
Full title
RESEARCH STUDY: Identification of Components and Elements of Art Psychotherapy treatment that contribute towards healing for Adults who have Experienced Complex Psychological Trauma.
IRAS ID
266849
Contact name
Mick Hill
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Northumbria University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 10 months, 30 days
Research summary
The purpose of this project is to evaluate the extent to which one therapeutic intervention – Art Psychotherapy – can influence the symptoms of Complex Psychological Trauma and provide healing. Whilst there is a reasonable evidence base for the uses and effectiveness of Art Psychotherapy in general, there has been little causal analysis of which elements of Art Psychotherapy can prove effective. An intensive, mixed methods case-based analysis will provide one possible means of identifying specific elements associated with successful outcomes. In order to do this, International Art Psychotherapists who work with adults who have Complex Psychological Trauma will be invited to complete a survey. Additionally, adults within Tees Esk Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust, both within inpatient and community settings, will be invited to engage in Art Psychotherapy sessions to determine key factors from their own experiences. The sessions will be delivered in Redcar and Cleveland, and Middlesbrough. Outcome measures will be completed by participants before each Art Psychotherapy session and 2 months post intervention. Additional interviews will identify specific elements associated with successful outcomes. This case-based analysis undertaken will further offer the possibility of identifying how interactions between context can be combined to produce differential outcomes. Such contexts will be environment; personal history; psychological formulation, and the mechanisms such as: identified elements that have been most effective; the quality of the therapeutic relationship and Psychotherapist attributes.
All data will be analysed and formulated as part of the final stage of the programme.REC name
West of Scotland REC 3
REC reference
20/WS/0048
Date of REC Opinion
30 Mar 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion