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The Power of the Performing Arts in Healthcare

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Psychotherapy, Literature and the Visual and Performing Arts

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Creativity and Culture ((PASCC))

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Abstract

The main aims of this contribution are to discuss and describe the role that the performing arts and storytelling play in the treatment of mental health problems and their utility as a teaching tool in undergraduate and postgraduate health education.

Biographical narratives offer a precious qualitative insight into the minds of people who have first-hand experience of psychological distress. It is argued that expressing oneself whilst under psychological distress through the mediums of narrative and the performing arts can be deeply therapeutic and even cathartic. The authors attempt to describe their personal experiences as mental healthcare providers by offering their candid narratives.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Centre for the Study of Occupational and Mental Health, Düsseldorf, Germany

    Bruce Kirkcaldy

  2. Bedfordshire Centre for Mental Health Research in association with the University of Cambridge (BCMHR-CU), Cambridge, UK

    Ahmed Hankir

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  1. Bruce Kirkcaldy
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  2. Ahmed Hankir
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. International Centre for the Study of Occupational and Mental Health, Düsseldorf, Germany

    Bruce Kirkcaldy

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Kirkcaldy, B., Hankir, A. (2018). The Power of the Performing Arts in Healthcare. In: Kirkcaldy, B. (eds) Psychotherapy, Literature and the Visual and Performing Arts. Palgrave Studies in Creativity and Culture. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-75423-9_5

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