Psychiatric treatment of creative work block

Summary and Conclusion

The treatment of a group of 14 patients of differing diagnostic categories, all of whom had achieved professional status in the graphic or performing arts and who had been blocked from pursuing their creative activity, is examined. The change in all cases from nonproductivity to productivity, as charted, is presumptive evidence to support the application of combined psychotherapeutic techniques—supportive, directive and analytic in nature. Descriptions of the specific aspects and application of these techniques in this type of patient are detailed. They are all introduced to indicate the value of their combined use in the therapeutic management of the artist patient who is blocked in pursuing creative work. It is felt by the writer that the very nature of the therapist's flexible application of a variety of psychotherapeutic techniques in the patient who is a creative artist will liberate this patient from his inhibition.