“Double mirror” reflections technique: a case study in creative interactive poetry therapy (CIPT)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of the article is to offer a therapeutical technique as part of the Creative Interactive Poetry Therapy (CIPT) expressive writing process. A teen Client analyzes self-authored poems according to two points of view: (1) Looking “objectively” at each poem (detached third person perspective) directly through the words reflecting on the “surface of the mirror” and (2) Looking “subjectively” (deeply involved perspective) on what is hidden behind the words, as the “mirror” reflects the inner depth of the writer. At the end of the process of writing poems and reflections, the adolescent Client discusses the benefits and drawbacks of this approach and how all of this influenced him during the therapy. Any therapist may use this “Double Mirror” add-on technique to deepen the understanding of the potential in written spontaneous poetry and of the Client writer - all as part of the phenomenon of writing poetry for well-being.