Abstract

By combining qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, the present study attempts to measure the impact art therapy might have on psychosomatic skin disorders and its symptoms. The " Visible-Invisible " model developed for this research is introduced and demonstrated through the case material of a woman living with eczema. The use of reliable tests such as the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Anxiety State Traits Assessment (ASTA), the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory--III(MCNI-III) and the SF-36 Health Survey are used to measure the effects of the treatment onto the eczematous symptoms and related factors such as anxiety. Following art therapy treatment, the Post-test scores indicated lower anxiety level and higher vitality, social functioning and mental health as rated by the participant. Although some of the results were found significant, they should not be generalized to the population living with psychosomatic skin disorders.