Poetry therapy: Toward a research agenda for the 1990s

Abstract

Poetry therapy goes beyond the use of poems and poetry writing in therapy. It has a pluralistic base that has evolved through the exploration and evaluation of the therapeutic aspects of the language arts in various helping and educational capacities. The purview of poetry therapy includes bibliotherapy, narrative and metaphor. Poetry therapy has been considered an ancillary technique, method of practice, therapeutic entity and philosophy of practice. Moreover, the National Association for Poetry Therapy has standards and procedures in place for “Certified Poetry Therapist” and “Registered Poetry Therapist.” Due to the advancement of the field of poetry therapy and the diversity of the use of poetry therapy, increased attention toward the establishment of a solid research base is a priority. In an effort to contribute to the development of a poetry therapy practice research model, the following areas will be examined: (a) research paradigms, (b) specificity and replication, (c) poetry selection, (d) studies in practice research, (e) professional issues and (f) the identification of directions for future research.