Psychological symptoms of art students seeking psychotherapy.

Descriptive data concerning type and severity of psychological symptoms of 162 art students seeking psychotherapy at an art school counseling service were obtained. These undergraduate and graduate students who presented for consecutive intakes over one year completed the Symptom Checklist-90-R. Women reported more severe symptomatology than men. Eighty-six and four-tenths percent of this sample met the criteria for probable psychological disorder. The data demonstrate the importance for mental health professionals who work with developing artists to provide skilled evaluation and treatment for a wide range of psychological disorders, to engage in crisis intervention and consultation and to develop a strong referral network for management of medication, long-term treatment, and hospitalization when necessary.