Which arts therapy for which client and why?

The Centre, a Charity founded by the Author in 1993, offers arts therapies interventions - Art, Dance Movement, Drama and Music - to clients of all ages and needs. This research represents an attempt to determine which modality of arts therapy should be recommended to any client on referral. A programme of each of the 4 arts therapies in sequence was offered to 109 clients of varying age and needs, in 10 Locations within the local conurbation. Four aims were identified for each client and the effectiveness of the arts therapies intervention was measured both quantitatively and qualitatively. Analysis revealed that although there was no one over all result, an average of 89.6% clients reported over all improvement at the end of the programme. Indications suggested the most successful aim addressed was enjoyment, although the most common aim identified was to be able to work in a group. Interventions of music therapy with male clients were the most effective for enhancement of self-esteem. Other, sometimes unexpected, results provide the basis for recommendations to referrers and guidance for providers of arts therapies services

Students' participation in collaborative research should be recognised

Letter to the editor