Poetry Therapy

For decades, poetry therapy has been formally recognized as a valuable form of treatment, and it has been proven effective worldwide with a diverse group of clients. The second edition of Poetry Therapy, written by a pioneer and leader in the field, updates the only integrated poetry therapy practice model with a host of contemporary issues, including the use of social media and slam/performance poetry. It’s a truly invaluable resource for any serious practitioner, educator, or researcher interested in poetry therapy, bibliotherapy, writing, and healing, or the broader area of creative/expressive arts therapies.

This accessible book explores the therapeutic possibilities of poetry and stories, providing techniques for facilitating personally relevant and growth-enhancing sessions. The author provides ideas for writing activities that emerge from this discussion, and explains how participants can create their own poetic and narrative pieces.

Building on the American Psychological Association tradition of the arts and psychology, this book addresses the therapeutic aspects and clinical use of metaphor, narrative, journal writing, storytelling, bibliotherapy, poetry, and the related arts. Based on clinical theory and romantic philosophy, a unified poetry therapy practice model is presented that combines the use of literature in therapy, creative expression, and symbols/rituals. Poetry therapy has been formally recognized for approximately thirty years and practiced worldwide with a wide range of clients and in numerous settings including hospitals, hospices, mental health centers, family service agencies, addiction centers, schools, nursing homes, and correctional settings. Poetry Therapy: Interface of the Arts and Psychology is organized along three dimensions: 1) Theory and practice of poetry therapy covering individual, family and group modalities 2) Use of poetry therapy along developmental markers with specific attention to abused children, battered women, suicidal adolescents, and the elderly, and 3) Research and professional development including credentialing, building resources, and education/training.

British counselor Hedges suggests how poetry can be used in therapy. First she explores general themes such as life transitions, spirituality, attachment and loss, and journeys. Then she and contributing creative writers look at running creative writing groups, poetry in healthcare settings, using poetry with young and elderly people, and poetry in counseling training. Published by Radcliffe Medical Press, Ltd.; U.S. distribution is by BookMasters. Annotation :2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).

In this third edition of Poetry Therapy, Dr. Mazza expands on poetry therapy applications and techniques, carefully illustrating the use of poems, expressive writing, and symbolic activities for healing, education, and community service. Building on the definition and foundation of poetry therapy, chapters discuss using Mazza’s poetry therapy model with individuals, families, groups, and communities. Featuring over a hundred new references and practice experiences, the updated edition covers new research findings and methods, especially with respect to expressive writing and brain activity. Additional updates include working with special populations such as minorities, persons with disabilities, veterans, and the LGBTQ+ community. New chapters on spirituality, the COVID-19 pandemic, and personal development through poetry and running are also featured. Each chapter ends with questions for reflection. This is a truly invaluable resource for any practitioner, educator, or researcher interested in poetry therapy, bibliotherapy, writing, and healing, or the broader area of creative arts and expressive therapies.

Poetry and short stories can act as powerful springboards to growth, self-enhancement and healing. With the guidance of a skilled facilitator, participants can engage with their own creative expression, and with that of others, and in doing so find opportunities to voice their truth, affirm their strengths, and find new ways of coping with challenges. This book explores the therapeutic possibilities of poetry and stories in turn, describing how to select appropriate works for discussion, and providing techniques for facilitating personally-relevent and growth-enhancing sessions. The author provides ideas and suggestions for personal writing activities that emerge from or intertwine with this discussion, and explains how participants can create their own poetic and narrative pieces using non-literary stimuli, such as music, photographs, paintings, objects, and physical movement. A useful appendix contains titles of individual poems, stories, and literary anthologies that the author has found particularly beneficial in her work, as well as useful further resources and contact details for readers who would like to train to be registered or certified poetry therapists or facilitators. Combining theory with innovative ideas for practical, experiential exercises, this book is a valuable tool for creative arts therapy students and practitioners, mental health and medical professionals, and anyone else interested in the healing possibilities of creative expression.

Fighting Addictions ithe Biblio/Poetry Therapy is a book that reviews this therapeutic tool with respect to its application in the management of drug and other addictions. It is intended for use by caregivers who wish to utilize this form of adjunctive therapy, addicted clients who might benefit from it, family members of addicted individuals and all others interested in learning about it. The introductory poems related to the various addictions and its unique focus on this form of therapy make it a valuable tool for all types ofcaregivers, patients themselves, and all others who view literature and poetry especially as a therapeutic medium..

Poetry, Therapy and Emotional Life explores the thoughts of poets, therapists and counsellors in relation to the human condition with a practical component on how poetry can be used in therapeutic work. Concentrating on the theories of Freud, Jung, Rogers, Berne, Perls and Ellis, the book examines topics such as human motivation, experience and neurosis. It encourages readers to take a fresh and enthusiastic approach to their work as counsellors, therapists or writers, and appeals to anyone with a love of poetry or writing as a means of self expression. The text contains a wealth of poetic examples both traditional and modern, along with samples from clients in creative writing groups, schools and healthcare settings. Psychological therapists and counsellors, health and social care workers, and writers alike will find this very accessible book invaluable.