Arts Therapies and New Challenges in Psychiatry

Despite their increasing popularity and reported effectiveness, there is a dearth of evidence-based research on the practices that fall under the umbrella of ＂the arts therapies＂. The successful treatment of a variety of psychiatric illnesses through the application of the arts therapies has long been recognized in many countries around the world, including psychosis, schizophrenia, depression and borderline symptoms.

Providing valuable data on the effectiveness of the arts therapies, Arts Therapies and New Challenges in Psychiatry fills an important gap in the literature on psychiatric illnesses. Contributors to this impressive volume have carried out research in psychiatry and mental health with patients diagnosed with a variety of illnesses. The international focus of the book shows the global, cross-cultural relevance of the arts therapies, whilst quantitative and qualitative evidence is used to demonstrate the need for art-, music-, drama- and dance therapy in a wide variety of contexts. This book shows that research in these fields can be carried out convincingly using a broad range of approaches, including each field’s own professional matrix.

Providing a much-needed assessment of the arts therapies, this book will appeal to art therapists, music therapists, dance therapists and drama therapists, as well as psychiatrists, psychologists, psychoanalysts and educators of arts therapy training.

Karin Dannecker has been the Director of the MA in Art Therapy programme at the Weissensee Art Academy Berlin since 2000. Her research interests include the effectiveness of art therapy, the role of aesthetics in art therapy, and the psychology of the artist. Professor Dannecker has also worked with psychiatric and psychosomatic patients since 1987. Her clinical work includes art therapy with children, adolescents, rheumatology patients and art therapy with adult psychiatric and psychosomatic patients.