The use of poetry therapy with domestic violence counselors experiencing secondary posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms

Abstract

Domestic violence counselors who are exposed to the traumatic material of clients may be at risk of secondary posttraumatic stress disorder (SPTSD) and are in need of effective interventions that combat symptoms of SPTSD. The focus of this study is on the examination of the effectiveness of poetry therapy for domestic violence counselors experiencing SPTSD symptoms; and on an investigation of the predictors of SPTSD symptoms. The results showed that poetry therapy reduced SPTSD symptoms in domestic violence counselors. Gender, openness to experiences, and agreeableness were significant predictors of SPTSD symptoms. Implications on the use of poetry therapy are discussed.