1. Poetry Therapy
The Healing Word…
by Daniel, Priscilla, & Sonya

2. What is Poetry Therapy?
Poetry Therapy is a particular
impacting form of what is often
more officially referred to as
bibliotherapy. It is uniquely
applied in uses of metaphors,
imagery, rhythms, and other
poetic devices.

3. Poetry Therapy Con’td
• 1916SamuelCrothersfirstusedtheterm
“bibliotherapy”
• Poetrytherapyisusedtoguideclientstovisualizetheir
strugglesandapplythistoolasanoutletforexpressing
theiremotionalandpsychologicalstate

4. Trained in Poetry Therapy
National Federal For Biblio/Poetry
Therapy
http://www.nfpt.com/summary.html#howdoibec
ome
- Certified Applied Poetry Faciliator
(CAPF)
- Certified Poetry Therapist (CPT)
Approved by the Credentials Committee:

5. Where can these Therapist
work?

6. Working In The Community

7. Working in a clinical setting
 Jurisdictions’ laws &
regulations permit
them to work
 Adhering to all laws
& regulations
governing their
work
 Arranging
appropriate on-site
supervision of their

8. History of Poetry
• Tribal fires of primitive peoples with chants,
song poems, & spoken words to music
• Roman physician Soranus prescribed poetry &
drama for his patient
• The first American hospital in Pennsylvania
employed several treatments – reading,
writing, and publishing the writings of the
mentally ill.

9. History of Poetry Cont’d
• 1950’s Eli Greifer began “poemtherapy” group
• 1950’s & 1960’s poetry therapy was
“bibliotherapy” – the use of literature to serve
or help
• 1969 1st definitive book on poetry therapy by
Dr. Jack J. Leedy
• 1970 Arthur Lerner Ph.D of L.A founded
Poetry Therapy Institute
• 1980 National Association for Poetry Therapy

10. Population –
Adolescents 11-16 yrs. old
• Experience low & high
trauma or have been
categorized as “at risk”
youth
• Overcome superficial
interactions to build a more
sincere communication base

11. Benefits In a Therapeutic Setting
 Improves the immune
system by reducing
“stress, anxiety, and
depression, improves
grades college, & aids
people in securing new
jobs.”
 Reduces blood
pressure, heart rate, &
skin conductance

12. Professional Organization & Resources
Women’s Therapy
Services of the San
Francisco Bay Area
National Coalition of
Creative Arts
Therapies
Associations
Poetry Foundation
National Association
for Poetry Therapy