Omylinska-Thurston, J 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8329-171X, Karkou, V, Parsons, AS ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3540-5660, Nair, K, Starkey, J, Dubrow-Marshall, LJ ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4092-6599, Thurston, SD ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5326-593X, Dudley-Swarbrick, I and Sharma, S
2021,
'Arts for the Blues : the development of a new evidence-based creative group psychotherapy for depression'
, Counselling Psychotherapy Research, 21 (3)
, pp. 597-607.
Access Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Omylinska‐Thurston, J, Karkou, V, Parsons, A, et al. Arts for the Blues: The development of a new evidence‐based creative group psychotherapy for depression. Couns Psychother Res. 2020, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12373. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.
Abstract
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 drop-out 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.
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 evidencebased 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.
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