The use of Poetry Writing as Psychotherapy

Like many forms of creative activity, poetry writing implies a break with the forms and conventions that usually dominate daily life. Consequently, the products and processes of poetry have been perceived as reflecting, or even involving, psychopathological states (Morrison, 1973). Poetic inspiration is often considered to be similar to psychopathological symptoms; both poetry and psychopathology imply an effort to resolve inner conflict. The poet and scholar Robert Graves has described poetic composition as pathological, and he has pointed to the relationship of poetry to the

. . .
, the individual can eventually achieve the creative, conscious channelling of the energy of unconscious wishes. The writing of poetry, according to Parker, taps the unconscious and permits submerged images to reach the light of consciousness. The general features of poetry writing translate into several types of practical therapeutic benefit. Consonant with its relation to techniques such as free association, poetry writing provides a means of communication between patient and therapist (Silverman, 1986). The process of artistic creation, including the writing of poetry, can be transforming in itself (Parker, 1969). Insight and empathy both evolve from the relatively unmediated response to art (Parker, 1969; Hynes & HynesBerry, 1986). Poetry writing and poetry reading can catalyze emotional expression (Parker, 1969; Brand, 1980). Generally speaking, poetry is a mode for affecting the synthesis of emotional reaction and conscious thought (Silverman, 1986). Because poetry makes reference to subconscious processes, poetry represents a conduit of interaction between patient and therapist (Silverman, 1986). Even without realizing it consciously, the patient who is moved by the writing (or reading), may reveal some
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
Archibald MacLeish, Hynes HynesBerry, Houlding Holland, WH Auden, Miller Dingman, , Rolfs Super, Arts Psychotherapy, poetry therapy, poetry writing, writing poetry, Robert Graves, LippincottMiller Dingman, parker 1969, ed poetry, leedy ed, silverman 1986, leedy ed poetry, brand 1980, antebi 1986, ed poetry therapy, poetry writing therapy, writing therapy, poetry therapy philadelphia, hynes hynesberry 1986,
Approximate Word count = 2659
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page)

More Essays on The use of Poetry Writing as Psychotherapy