The importance of psychological flow in a creative, embodied and enactive psychological therapy approach (Arts for the Blues)

• Published in: Body, movement and dance in psychotherapy Vol. 18; no. 2; pp. 137 - 154
• Main Authors: Parsons, Ailsa, Dubrow-Marshall, Linda, Turner, Richard, Thurston, Scott, Starkey, Jennifer, Omylinska-Thurston, Joanna, Karkou, Vicky
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 03.04.2023; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Arts for the Blues; creative arts therapies; dance movement psychotherapy; mood; Psychological flow
• ISSN: 1743-2979; 1743-2987
• DOI: 10.1080/17432979.2022.2130431

Psychological flow can be experienced in various occupational, recreational and creative domains and may confer increased well-being. Yet, very few studies have examined flow as a potential feature of creative arts therapies - particularly therapies which prioritise embodied/enactive processes. This study tested the acute effects of a 90-minute workshop (Arts for the Blues; A4B) on participants' (N = 18) mood and personal goal attainment. Psychological flow was measured, and participants rated the importance of flow in relation to A4B's psychotherapeutic aims. Results show significantly improved mood, increased goal attainment and substantial flow scores, suggesting that A4B processes may invoke flow. Participants' importance ratings of different flow dimensions indicate that some were considered as more important than others. Results are discussed in relation to methodological limitations, helpful creative therapeutic factors that may enable flow, and implications for researchers and practitioners who wish to encourage flow in their practice.