GPs' and clients' views of art therapy in an Edinburgh practice.

Abstract

Art therapy, as a relative newcomer to the family of therapies, has not yet produced a large body of academic literature, particularly in the important areas of evaluation and outcome studies. A previous evaluation of art therapy in primary care carried out by Sowton (1997) included evaluation of patient / professional acceptability, and compliance. However, there was a high drop-out rate and effectiveness of therapy could not be gauged; reasons for referral varied widely, e.g. personality disorders, suicidal tendencies and alcohol abuse, as well as anxiety and depression. For those who stayed in therapy, acceptability was high.