Poetry therapy and bibliotherapy are terms used synonymously to describe the intentional use of poetry and other forms of literature for healing and personal growth. The term “biblio” means book and, by extension, literature. “Therapy” is derived from the Greek word “therapeia” meaning “to serve or help medically.” Basically then, bibliotherapy is the use of literature to promote mental health.
Developmental interactive bibliotherapy refers to the use of literature, discussion and creative writing with children in schools and hospitals, adults in growth and support groups, and older persons in senior centers and nursing homes. In these community settings, bibliotherapy is used not only to foster growth and development but it is used as a preventive tool in mental health.
Clinical interactive bibliotherapy refers to the use of literature, discussion and creative writing to promote healing and growth in psychiatric units, community mental health centers, and chemical dependency units.
The National Association for Poetry Therapy (NAPT), incorporated in l981, confers professional credentials to biblio/poetry therapists who have met its rigorous standards. The poetry therapist today is a professional who is well-grounded in both psychology and literature, as well as group dynamics. NAPT maintains a registry of biblio/poetry practitioners in educational, medical, psychiatric, therapeutic, and community settings.
The National Association for Poetry Therapy is a profession that has an ethical code, standards of practice, scientific theories, a body of knowledge and specific training requirements. NAPT sponsors an annual four-day national conference, newsletter, and the Journal for Poetry Therapy is an interdisciplinary journal of practice, research, and education. In 1986, the first federal job classification was created and the first federal bibliotherapist was hired at St.Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, DC. In institutional settings one full-time poetry therapist can lead three groups a day, easily providing 7,000 patient contact visits per year. A Registered Poetry Therapist (RPT) may also function as a primary therapist or an administrator.
Bibliotherapy has a broad range of applications with people of all ages and is used for health and maintenance, as well as with individuals requiring treatment for various illnesses and conditions. Examples of these are veterans, substance abusers, adolescents, the learning disabled, families with problems, prisoners in rehabilitation, the frail elderly, the physically challenged, and survivors of violence, abuse and incest. The literature and case studies provide evidence that poetry therapy is an effective and powerful tool with many different populations.
Poetry therapy is an interactive process with three essential components: the literature the trainer facilitator, and the client(s). A trained biblio/poetry therapist selects a poem or other form of written or spoken media to serve as a catalyst and evoke feeling responses for discussion. The interactive process helps the individual to develop on emotional, cognitive, and social levels. The focus is on the person’s reaction to the literature, never losing sight of the primary objective–the psychological health and well being of the client.
For more information contact:
The National Association for Poetry Therapy
PO Box 98259
Des Moines, WA 98198
Web Site: http://www.poetrytherapy.org/
Email: naptadmin@poetrytherapy.org