purple inkblots on collage of handwritten pagesPoetry therapy, a form of expressive arts therapy, involves the therapeutic use of poems, narratives, and other spoken or written media to promote well-existence and healing. Therapists may use existing literature as part of treatment or encourage those in therapy to produce their ain literary works to express deep-seated emotions. In either case, they offer a rubber, non-judgmental atmosphere in which people in therapy are able to explore their written expressions and associated emotional responses.

Though any mental wellness professional might incorporate elements of poesy therapy into their therapeutic practice, the International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy has adult a credentialing program for those individuals who wish to become certified or registered poetry therapists.

  • History and Development of Poetry Therapy
  • How Does Poetry Therapy Work?
  • Techniques Used in Poetry Therapy
  • How Tin can Poetry Therapy Assist?
  • Training for Poetry Therapists
  • Concerns and Limitations of Poetry Therapy

History and Evolution of Poetry Therapy

The healing outcome of words has long been recognized. As far back as 4000 BCE, early Egyptians wrote words on papyrus, deliquesce them in liquid, and gave them to those who were ill as a grade of medicine. In more contempo history, reading and expressive writing were employed equally supplementary treatments for those experiencing mental or emotional distress. Pennsylvania Hospital, the kickoff hospital established in the U.s.a., reportedly employed this approach equally early as the mid-1700s. In the early 1800s, Dr. Benjamin Rush introduced poetry equally a form of therapy to those beingness treated. In 1928, poet and pharmacist Eli Griefer began offering poems to people filling prescriptions and eventually started "poemtherapy" groups at two dissimilar hospitals with the support of psychiatrists Dr. Jack L. Leedy and Dr. Sam Spector. Afterwards Griefer'due south decease, Leedy and others continued to comprise poetry into the therapeutic group procedure, somewhen coming together to form the Association for Poesy Therapy (APT) in 1969.

Librarians likewise played a major role in the evolution of this approach to therapy. Arleen Hynes, one pioneer in this area, was a hospital librarian who read about poetry therapy and began reading stories and poems aloud, facilitating discussions on the material and its relevance to each individual in order to better attain out to those existence treated and encourage healing. She eventually began development of a training program for poetry therapy, around the time other individuals were doing the same. In 1980, all leaders in the field were invited to a meeting to formalize guidelines for grooming and certification. At that meeting, the National Association for Verse Therapy (NAPT) formed out of what had been the APT.

As interest grew, several books and manufactures were written to guide practitioners in the practice of poesy therapy. Hynes and Mary Hynes-Berry co-authored the 1986 publication Bibliotherapy - The Interactive Process: A Handbook. More recently, Nicholas Mazza outlined a model for effective poetry therapy, too discussing its clinical application, in Poetry Therapy: Theory and Exercise. The Journal of Poetry Therapy, established in 1987 by the NAPT, remains the most comprehensive source of information on electric current theory, practice, and research.

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Today, verse therapy is adept internationally by hundreds of professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, social workers, educators and librarians. The approach has been used successfully in a number of settings—schools, libraries, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and correctional institutions, to name a few—with various populations, including children, adolescents and the elderly.

How Does Poetry Therapy Piece of work?

Every bit office of therapy, some people may wish to explore feelings and memories cached in the subconscious and identify how they may relate to current life circumstances. Poetry is believed to exist beneficial to this procedure as it can often:

  • Be used every bit a vehicle for the expression of emotions that might otherwise be difficult to express
  • Promote self-reflection and exploration, increasing self-awareness and helping individuals make sense of their world
  • Help individuals redefine their situation by opening upwardly new ways of perceiving reality
  • Validate emotional experiences and better group cohesiveness past helping people realize many of their experiences are shared past others
  • Help therapists gain deeper insight into those they are treating

In general, poetry therapists are free to choose from whatsoever poems they believe offer therapeutic value, but most tend to follow general guidelines. Information technology is recommended selected poems be curtailed, accost universal emotions or experiences, offer some degree of promise, and incorporate plain language. Some poems commonly used in therapy are:

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  • "The Road Not Taken" past Robert Frost
  • "The Journeying" past Mary Oliver
  • "Talking to Grief" past Denise Levertov
  • "The Armful" by Robert Frost
  • "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" by William Wordsworth

Although the choice of material is normally done by the therapist, those existence treated might be asked to bring to therapy a poem or other form of literature they identify with, as this may also provide valuable insight into their feelings and emotions.

Techniques Used in Verse Therapy

A few unlike models of verse therapy exist, but the most popular and well-nigh oft used is the model introduced past Nicholas Mazza. According to this model, poetry therapy involves three major components: receptive/prescriptive, expressive/creative, and symbolic/ceremonial.

In the receptive/prescriptive component, the therapist volition introduce a poem or piece of literature and encourage the person in therapy to react. Material is typically selected based on its ability to describe, explain and identify issues relevant to the content of the session. Selected material is usually read aloud by the therapist or the person in therapy so the tone and rhythm of the poem tin be fully experienced. In the case of grouping, family, or couples therapy, individuals may have turns reading different stanzas or might be asked to read the entire poem in unison. While the poem is being read, the therapist notes the verbal and nonverbal reactions of the individual, and these reactions are more often than not explored later the reading with questions such equally, "I noticed yous were grin as the poem was being read. Can yous tell me about your reaction?" "Is at that place a particular line in the poem that touched you?" "How does this poem make y'all experience?"

The expressive/artistic component involves the use of creative writing—poesy, messages, and periodical entries--for the purpose of assessment and handling. The procedure of writing tin be both cathartic and empowering, often freeing blocked emotions or cached memories and giving voice to one's concerns and strengths. Some people may doubt their ability to write creatively, but therapists tin can offer supporting by explaining they do not have to use rhyme or a particular structure. Therapists might too provide stalk poems from which to work or introduce sense poems for those who struggle with imagery. A therapist might too share a poem with the individual and so inquire them to select a line that touched them in some style and and then use that line to showtime their own verse form.

In grouping therapy, poems may be written individually or collaboratively. Group members are sometimes given a single word, topic, or sentence stalk and asked to respond to information technology spontaneously. The contributions of group members are compiled to create a single poem which tin can then be used to stimulate group word. In couples therapy, the couple may be asked to write a dyadic verse form by contributing alternate lines.

Alphabetic character writing, another effective therapeutic tool, may be a more accessible artistic platform for some. I do involves writing a letter to the persona of a verse form read in therapy. The letter may include expressions of approval or disapproval, and this process can analyze the individual's initial reactions to the poem. A letter could also be addressed to any emotions shortly causing difficulty in order to aid a person visualize and externalize these feelings in the hope of gaining control over them. Individuals might also be encouraged to keep a personal periodical during therapy and record their thoughts after hearing or reading a poem. Those in group therapy may take the opportunity to share their entries with group members.

The symbolic/ceremonial component involves the use of metaphors, storytelling, and rituals as tools for effecting change. Metaphors, which are essentially symbols, tin can help individuals to explain complex emotions and experiences in a concise yet profound manner. Rituals may be particularly effective to assist those who have experienced a loss or catastrophe, such every bit a divorce or decease of a loved one, to address their feelings around that outcome. Writing and then burning a letter to someone who died suddenly, for example, may be a helpful step in the process of accepting and coping with grief.

How Tin Poetry Therapy Help?

Poetry therapy has been used as function of the handling approach for a number of concerns, including deadline personality, suicidal ideation, identity issues, perfectionism, and grief. Research shows the method is frequently a benign part of the treatment procedure.Several studies too support poetry therapy every bit i approach to the treatment of depression, as information technology has been repeatedly shown to salve depressive symptoms, improve self-esteem and cocky-understanding, and encourage the expression of feelings.  Researchers have also demonstrated poetry therapy's ability to reduce anxiety and distress in people diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Those experiencing posttraumatic stress accept besides reported improved mental and emotional well-being as a result of poetry therapy. Some individuals who have survived trauma or corruption may have difficulty processing the experience cognitively and, as a result, suppress associated memories and emotions. Through verse therapy, many are able to integrate these feelings, reframe traumatic events, and develop a more positive outlook for the future.

People experiencing habit may find poesy therapy can help them explore their feelings regarding the substance abuse, perceive drug utilise in a new low-cal, and develop or strengthen coping skills. Poetry writing may besides be a style for those with substance abuse issues to limited their thoughts on treatment and behavior change.

Some studies take shown verse therapy can be of benefit to people with schizophrenia despite the linguistic and emotional deficits associated with the condition. Poetry writing may exist a helpful method of draw mental experiences and can permit therapists to improve understand the thought processes of those they are treating. Poesy therapy has also helped some individuals with schizophrenia to improve social performance skills and foster more organized thought processes.

Information technology is important to note in most instances, peculiarly in cases of moderate to severe mental health concerns, poetry therapy is used in combination with another type of therapy, not equally the sole arroyo to treatment.

Training for Poetry Therapists

Poesy therapists receive literary every bit well every bit clinical training to enable them to be able to select literature appropriate for the healing process. While there is no university program in poetry therapy, the International Federation for Biblio-Poetry Therapy (IFBPT), the independent credentialing torso for the profession, has developed specific training requirements. Several studies back up poetry therapy every bit ane approach to the treatment of depression, as information technology has been repeatedly shown to relieve depressive symptoms, improve self-esteem and self-agreement, and encourage the expression of feelings.

Training, in the form of an independent study program, is provided with the direction of a Mentor/Supervisor approved by theIFBPT. Individuals can pursue training to get a certified verse therapist (CPT), registered poetry therapist (RPT), or certified applied poetry facilitator (CAPF). Those with a main's caste in a mental health field or a medical degree and professional licensure tin obtain the CPT or RPT credentials. Both the CPT and RPT are qualified to piece of work with individuals in practiced wellness also equally those who are experiencing mental wellness concerns. To obtain the RPT certification, a more advanced level of training and fieldwork is required.

To obtain the CAPF certification, a person must have a available'south degree. Upon certification, CAPFs are qualified to work with healthy populations and may be employed by schools or libraries. They can likewise work in mental wellness settings with the supervision of a qualified mental health professional.

Concerns and Limitations of Poetry Therapy

In spite of its widespread entreatment and broad range of application, some concerns have been raised most the use of poetry therapy.

The content of some poems might take no value or unintended effects for some people in therapy. Some poems might evoke memories or emotions the individual is not yet ready to handle, or have meaning personal value to one personal in therapy but piffling application for others in treatment. The language of some poems may be hard to sympathize, and the message of some poems may be so obscure that little therapeutic value is obtained. Even so, therapists who are enlightened of these factors and take intendance when selecting literary materials to exist used in session can likely avert many or all of these potential problems.

Some critics have pointed out information technology is possible for people to analyze a poem on a purely intellectual level, without whatever emotional involvement. This blazon of intellectualization may exist more than likely when complex poems are used, equally a person might spend so much fourth dimension trying to decipher the pregnant of the poem that they lose sight of their emotions and spontaneous reactions. Poems that are unoriginal or filled with clichés are unlikely to stimulate individuals on a deep emotional level or challenge them to think in means promoting growth.

The spoken language and language abilities of individuals in therapy must as well be considered, since poems volition have little value if the words used are not understood. In group therapy sessions, individuals who take difficulty with reading or writing may be reluctant to share their poems, which can exist a barrier to word, and some people who speak English every bit a second language or lack advanced linguistic skills may be challenged by the figurative language often used in poems. Further, verse therapy may have little or no value for those individuals who simply do not enjoy poetry.

References:

  1. Chavis, G.G. (2011).Poetry and story therapy: The healing ability of creative expression. Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
  2. Gooding, L. F. (2008). Finding your inner vox through song: Reaching adolescents with techniques common to poetry therapy and music therapy. Periodical of Poetry Therapy, 21(iv), 219-229.
  3. International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy. (n.d.). Summary of training requirements. Retrieved from http://ifbpt.org/obtaining-a-credential/getting-trained
  4. Mazza, N. (2003). Verse therapy: Theory and practice. New York: Brunner-Routledge.
  5. Olsen-McBride, Fifty. (2009). Examining the influence of popular music and poetry therapy on the development of therapeutic factors in groups with at-risk adolescents (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-11102009-114408/unrestricted/Olson-McBride_diss.pdf
  6. Rossiter, C. (2004). Blessed and delighted: An interview with Arleen Hynes, poetry therapy pioneer. Journal of Poesy Therapy, 17(4), 215-222.
  7. Springer, Due west. (2006). Poetry in therapy: A way to heal for trauma survivors and clients in recovery from habit. Journal of Verse Therapy, 19(two), 69-81.
  8. The National Association for Poesy Therapy. (north.d.). History. Retrieved from http://www.poetrytherapy.org/history.html