The arts therapies in the treatment of depression: What evidence do we have?

Depression is a global burden (World Federation for Mental Health 2012; WHO 2010) and an extremely common condition among clients and patients of arts therapists (Zubala et al 2013). High quality research is therefore, vital as a way of informing and underpinning good practice. It also becomes important that therapists can identify best possible ways of addressing the condition within sessions, share experiences of tools which seem to work best and discuss particularly relevant aspects of treating depression which can inevitably lead to a conscious and confident evidence-based practice. In this presentation, we will discuss existing evidence drawing upon available Cochrane reviews (Meekums, Karkou and Nelson 2015) and high-quality research studies across the arts therapies and consider their contribution to clinical work. We will also identify practice-based evidence emerging from smaller case studies that offer clinical insights. Findings from a newly edited book on research in arts therapies in the treatment of depression which is currently being prepared will be showcased (Zubala and Karkou forthcoming 2018). On the whole, the aim of this presentation will be to discuss useful interventions in current practice, identify areas where arts therapies practice can be improved and share current research evidence with other professionals working in health, education and arts sectors.