title: Art therapy for patients with depression: expert opinions on its main aspects for clinical practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Art therapy is based mainly on clinical experience and is rarely described and evaluated scientifically. There is a need for further exploration of its use in patients with depression.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore what experts consider to be the main aspects of art therapy in clinical practice for patients with depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen occupational therapists experienced and educated in art therapy participated. The experts answered three rounds of Delphi questionnaires and ranked their agreement with 74 assertions. Consensus was defined as 70% or higher.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The experts agreed more on assertions about theoretical frames of reference than about clinical practice. The main aspects of art therapy were agreed to be the patients' opportunity to express themselves verbally and through making art. It was equally important that art tasks provided an opportunity to address depressive thoughts, feelings, life experiences, and physical symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Experts in the field of art therapy considered that the main aspect of clinical practice in art therapy for patients with depression is that art themes should promote expression related to both to depression and personal history.
authors.affiliation: a Institute Care and Health Science, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden.|b Psychiatric Clinic, Södra Älvsborgs Hospital , Borås , Sweden.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blomdahl
authors.affiliation: c Institute Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden.|d Department of Research and Development , Region Kronoberg , Växjö , Sweden.
authors.forename: Birgitta A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Gunnarsson
authors.affiliation: e Södra Älvsborg Hospital , Region Västra Götaland, Borås , Sweden.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guregård
authors.affiliation: a Institute Care and Health Science, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden.|f Department of Research , Södra Älvsborg Hospital , Borås , Sweden.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rusner
authors.affiliation: a Institute Care and Health Science, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden.|g Sahlgrenska University Hospital , Gothenburg , Sweden , and.
authors.forename: Helle
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wijk
authors.affiliation: h School of Health and Welfare, Department of Rehabilitation, Jönköping University , Jönköping , Sweden.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Björklund
mesh_terms: D001155:Art Therapy; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003697:Delphi Technique; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000072087:Occupational Therapists; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care
keywords: Delphi technique; Mental health; clinical practice; evaluation; treatment