Recurrent spontaneous themes in group poetry therapy

Abstract

There is a growing body of literature devoted to the exploration of poetry as an agent in the facilitation of catharsis in psychotherapy groups (Luber, 1973; Leedy, 1973, 1969, Lerner, 1973). Increased consideration is being given to the nature of poetry and implications for its use in psychotherapy. For example. Barron (1974) states that poetry “is a translation or conversion of feelings into intellectual behavior with a minimum loss of one’s inner and subjective sensibilities.” He continues that in psychotherapy and the study of psychopathology “the poetic communication has the capacity to concisely and poignantly reflect the changing, shifting stages of man’s development and histroy.” Thus, it appears that the poetic art form can be utilized in promoting the “curative factors” comprising catharsis (ie. the expression of strong feelings or emotions; Lerner, 1976). Another source substantiating the cathartic nature of poetry in therapy is found in the productions of patient-participants themselves. The two poems at the beginning of this article illustrate this contention. Though not . technically superior, the cinquin and limerick do reflect the cathartic effect of poetry as viewed by patients. These were “spontaneous creations” of participants in a poetry therapy group that was learning to use the structured forms for the first time. This paper will consider some of the recurrent themes in poetry sessions when patients are assigned the task of writing in conformity to three structured poetic styles: cinquin, limerick and haiku. These themes illustrate the facilitative use of poetry in promoting the “curative factors” delineated by Yalom. The review is based on more than twenty sessions which have been conducted over a three year period.