82 • Introduction to Art Therapy
in society, education, or health care, both art and mental health are often viewed as “frills”
or “luxuries.” As already noted, the consistent growth of the relatively new field of art ther-
apy, despite the cutbacks of recent years, is an indirect index of its remarkable power.
Qualitative Evidence
Although quantifiable success in outcome studies would indeed be a strong argument for
support, it appears that art therapy is funded as often because of qualitative effects at a more
intimate human level. Reading the testimony offered at the Senate Hearings on the Older
Americans Act, I suspect it was the eloquent words and stunning pictures of Elizabeth
“Grandma” Layton, who described drawing her way out of a lifelong depression at 68, that
moved the lawmakers as much as any of the more rational arguments (Figure 4.5). A genu-
ine smile on the face of a previously withdrawn person can often be infinitely more per-
suasive than any statistics, no matter how stunning. You can see and hear her story on the
DVD (4. 5).
Perhaps the most convincing evaluation of any therapy is whether or not people feel they
were helped. If they do, they are likely to refer others, as well as to come back in the future
for further assistance. Most of my own referrals during 25 years of private practice came
from what might, for want of a better term, be called satisfied customers.
In November of 1995 Consumer Reports published “Does Therapy Help?” It confirmed
what clinicians have known for a long time and have been unable to prove, since our assess-
ment of our own effectiveness is naturally seen as biased. But those who come for help, and
Figure 4.5 A drawing by Elizabeth “Grandma” Layton.