Interpersonal Psychotherapy With Expressive Art for Depression in a Psycho-Oncology Context

Abstract

The following case outlines the use of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) with integrated expressive art practices over 10 sessions in treatment of AF, a 62-year-old Caucasian female presenting with depression as a psycho-oncology outpatient. AF’s presentation was in the context of a history of diagnosis and treatment of melanoma, several family losses to cancer, long-standing dysthymia and recurrent major depressive episodes, and relocation from interstate following marriage separation. IPT was delivered to address AF’s identified core problem area of interpersonal sensitivities, while expressive art exercises played a role of creative self-reflection and exploration. At the conclusion of therapy, AF demonstrated not only elimination of clinical symptoms of depression and anxiety but also growth as a newly resilient and enlivened individual. Theoretical, research, and intervention implications for treatment of depression in broad and specific to psycho-oncology contexts are discussed.