Bibliotherapy Research Articles

“Words are my best friends”: reclaiming voice and soul through twenty years of multi-modal poetry and drama therapy

ABSTRACT This case study shares the history and treatment of a poet who struggled with multiple sclerosis for over 20 years, and how a clinical social worker and registered poetry/drama therapist continued to work with a person whose writing and speaking capacity progressively diminished. Poetry therapy, drama therapy, family therapy and individual therapy were all used to maintain the core identity of the poet, whose expressive capabilities were essential to her sense of self.

Reflections on the integration of poetry therapy and psychodynamic practice based on an analysis of the book Tribute to Freud by the poet H.D.

ABSTRACT This paper concerns the book Tribute to Freud, by Hilda Doolittle (H.D.) (1886–1961). In the book, H.D. – an important person in the modernist poetry scene – presents her psychoanalysis with Sigmund Freud (1856–1939). She describes how literature, sculptures, mythology, and symbols were central to their dialogues. I have analysed these dialogues with respect to the three components of poetry therapy, the receptive, the expressive, and the symbolic. Based on the analysis, I discuss how poetry therapy and psychodynamic practice can be integrated and how practitioners from the two orientations can learn from and inspire each other. I reflect on the presence of symbols and mythology in the book and suggest that the symbolic component, which has received the least attention, could be strengthened by the psychodynamic tradition’s acknowledgement of symbols and mythology. I also discuss how poetry therapy could inspire psychodynamic practitioners to acknowledge the expressive component.

Recapturing the Oral Tradition of Storytelling in Spiritual Conversations with Older Adults: An Afro-Indigenous Approach

The historical value of the oral tradition permeates literature as represented in multiple disciplines, including theology. An aspect of this tradition has proven viable in spiritual conversations with older adults. This paper will discuss the oral tradition’s medium of storytelling and listening to demonstrate its relevance in therapeutic conversations with older adults. Therapeutic storytelling is a distinct intervention prevalent in the African oral tradition This approach is also gaining attention in the contemporary context, blending seamlessly within the narrative approach. Using the quantitative research method of ethnography and autoethnography, I analyze specific therapeutic encounters that employ a storytelling/listening approach in spiritual conversations. The analysis reveals the relevance of storytelling in specific therapeutic encounters. Storytelling is gaining interest and reclaiming space in therapeutic settings with diverse populations, but mostly with older adults. The study also highlights the apparent similarities between the traditional approach to storytelling and the narrative approach in the contemporary therapeutic milieu.

Identifying the Mechanisms of Poetry Therapy and Perceived Effects on Participants: A Synthesised Replication Case Study

Poetry therapy lacks a unifying, evidence-based operational model. This study was designed to test the utility and construct validity of extant models of poetry therapy using observational and experience-close data. Replication case study methodology was used, wherein two cases each comprised a video-recorded poetry therapy session and 4–5 interviews with session participants. The second case study was treated as a replication of the first. Mechanisms and perceived effects of poetry therapy were extracted from case material and synthesised to create an overall operational framework comprising 37 superordinate mechanisms and 58 associated effects. These findings were replicated in the second case study, with no new categories or conflicting evidence identified. Investigator triangulation and member checking were used to strengthen validity and reliability. Results were assessed for goodness-of-fit with two models of poetry therapy. The framework was well described by one of the models and concordant with both. Member checking indicated that the synthesised framework adequately described participants’ experiences. We conclude that there is empirical evidence to support the utility and validity of existing models of poetry therapy, and hope that our more detailed explication will enable greater specificity of questions in further research on practice. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.

Of Stimuli and Metaphors: Therapeutic Storytelling (Fairy Tale Therapy) in the Snoezelen Room

There are clear commonalities between the Snoezelen method and therapeutic storytelling (fairy tale therapy). When conducting fairy tale therapy in a Snoezelen room, we deal with the synergetic effect of sensory stimuli (characteristic of Snoezelen) and imaginary stimuli (characteristic of fairy tale therapy). Both the symbolic space of a fairy tale and the sensory space of Snoezelen constitute a „different“ world. Each type of art therapy, including bibliotherapy and the fairy tale therapy it contains, affect the senses, thus supporting sensory memory. The article analyses the theoretical and practical aspects of conducting fairy tale therapy in a Snoezelen room with children and with adults.

Creative arts therapies for the mental health of emerging adults: A systematic review

Emerging adults face significant risk of experiencing mental health problems, especially since most lifetime mental problems have first onset by age 24. Despite the pervasiveness of these issues, emerging adults face barriers in receiving help including stigma surrounding help-seeking behavior and negative attitudes about perceived usefulness of therapy. Creative and expressive art therapies (CATs) can address these needs by providing potentially destigmatized, non-invasive approaches to mental health care. To examine how this population can benefit from CAT, we conducted a systematic review of the literature to understand the types of CAT interventions that have been empirically tested among emerging adults. From a total of 7276 articles published between 1985 and 2020, we filtered down to 11 studies, both qualitative and quantitative, meeting our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results showed art therapy and poetry therapy were the most frequently studied CATs for the emerging adult population; and art therapy studies comprised the largest proportion of studies reporting statistical significance on its efficacy among all CATs reviewed. We highlight the need for more studies using replicable, generalizable methods in evaluating CAT. We then discuss implications for counselors, practitioners, and clinician-researchers interested in using CAT to improve mental health care among emerging adults.

Unveiling the Hidden Beauty of the Soul: A Qualitative Journey into Poetry Therapy

Poetry is writing is good for the soul. Everything in life is poetry if we learn to look at it from various perspectives. However, it is very difficult to see poetry in the life of a recovering addict. Their experiences, hurts, deep pain, offenses, crimes, hunger and low self-esteem is all this population can focus on. They are trying to repair their lives and are often confronted with these elements of their past. This study takes recovering addict and provide them with a safe space to do creative writing about their experiences. This creative form is poetry. Many of the participants never wrote poetry before but by digging deep within themselves, they were able to find the words to fit their feelings and experiences. They were surprised to see what came into fruition.

The theatre as therapy for military veterans? Exploring the mechanisms which impact psychosocial well-being and social connections during theatre-based programmes

ABSTRACT Background In many countries, performing arts and theatre practices are being employed with Armed Forces Communities. However, very little evidence exists outlining the psychosocial benefits of this practice. Therefore, this study aims to explore the perceived impact of theatre-based programmes on psychosocial well-being, and social connections, of U.K. Military Veterans. Methods This qualitative study carried out semi-structured interviews with six military veterans who had participated in at least one theatre-based programme. Results Four themes were generated from this study; providing a purpose, therapeutic storytelling, social connection, and the impact of the programme ending. Conclusions This study provided unique insight into the benefits of theatre-based programmes on the psychosocial well-being of U.K. military veterans. The programmes were perceived as being beneficial for future employment opportunities, but the ending of these programmes was difficult for some and must be considered alongside provision.

An action research on the use of therapeutic stories as a new method of piano education

This research is an action research on the applicability of therapeutic storytelling in piano instruction. There are many studies showing that art instruction that enables the discovery and development of artistic talent, has positive effects on the psychological states of individuals. No research was found where therapeutic storytelling was used as an instructional method in piano education. In this study, a preliminary study, in which the researcher was the practitioner, was conducted on the design and implementation process of an instructional method based on therapeutic storytelling for piano students. This study was designed in accordance with action research design in qualitative research methods. Due to the ongoing pandemic process, the participants of the study conducted with the hybrid education model are 3 piano students whose ages are ranging between 10-12. Semi-structured interview form, observation form and documents were used as data collection tools. In the application of therapeutic stories, the preparation of the instructional design, the difficulties experienced, the measures taken for effectiveness were determined through interviews and observations. The research lasted for 3 weeks. One private lesson of one and a half hours was held with one student each week. In each lesson, 1 therapeutic story was read to the students and the student was asked to create a music composition about the story. In the course setup, predetermined questions were asked to the student while the story was being read, after the story was finished, and during the student’s composing process. It was aimed to measure the reactions of the students to the stories through the questions, to examine how these reactions were reflected in the composition process and to determine the effect of the designed instructional method on the motivation of the students. As a result of the research in teaching piano students based on therapeutic storytelling; It was determined that giving music composition time periods suitable for students’ individual differences, instructional differentiation in accordance with the level of student readiness, and the choice of story subject for student interest increase the effectiveness of instructional design.

Poetry therapy and disability studies: an investigation

ABSTRACT Poetry therapy research is examined in a clinical, community and developmental setting, where the various researchers conducted their study from a medical model perspective of disability. The author looked at twelve articles and analysed nine of them from the social model perspective of disability. It was found that people with disabilities are excluded from poetry therapy research. As such, the author advocated for people with disabilities to have a voice in poetry therapy research.

Therapeutic metaphors and personal meanings in group poetry therapy for people with schizophrenia

ABSTRACT This article concerns the therapeutic potential of metaphor in group poetry therapy, concentrating on the poetry therapy process of people diagnosed with schizophrenia. The data was collected in a one-year poetry therapy group. The main questions were: (1) What kind of therapeutic potential can metaphors offer in group poetry therapy? (2) What are the personal meanings and evaluations that the participants give to the therapy process and its effects on their lives? (3) What are the most significant elements in poetry therapy from the viewpoint of the client? The analysis was based on the Grounded theory method. The results showed that the most significant therapeutic factors of the process were social interaction, safety, and written self-expression. Writing in a group setting, especially through collaborative writing, had many positive effects on the clients. It allowed them to experience life’s worth raising their hope. Metaphors and collaborative writing made it possible to discuss difficult personal experiences.

Aspects of Bibliotherapy in Literature Works -Based on the Time of the Beasts of Kim Won-Woo and Tonio Kröger of Thomas Mann

독서치료에 대한 정의는 하인스와 하인스-베리의 다음과 같은 말이 거의 정설로 굳어지고 있다. “독서치료란 근본적으로 문학작품이든 비문학작품이든 책을 통해서 정신건강을 증진시키고 개인의 문제를 해결하며 사회적 관심이 무엇인지 알게 한다.” 책 이외의 읽기자료나 영상자료 또는 음악자료 등도 독서치료의 중요한 매개가 될 수 있지만 책, 특히 문학작품이나 서사는 그것이 과거를 말한다는 점에서 독서치료의 가장 중요한 자료라고 할 수 있다. 흔히들 독서치료의 3요소를 책, 치료자, 내담자라고 한다. 이 3요소의 통합적 작용으로 독서치료의 효과가 드러날 것임은 누구나 이해하고 인정할 수 있을 것이다. 본고에서 다루고자 하는 것은 임상적 독서치료가 아닌 책, 특히 문학작품을 통해 그로 인해 파생된 불안감, 분노, 애증의 원인을 이해하고 진단하고 해소할 수 있는 독서치료이다. 본고에서는 김원우의『짐승의 시간』과 독일의 유명작가 토마스 만의『토니오 크뢰거』를 독서치료적 관점에서 분석하고자 하는데,『토니오 크뢰거』에서는 유년시절의 거부나 모욕감으로 인한 이성(동성)친구에 대한 불안이나 우울 등이 잘 드러나 있으며,『짐승의 시간』에서는 1980년대 ‘민주화에의 열망’이라는 사회적 요청 속에서 당대의 집단적이고 지배적인 정념들과의 분열이 주인공에게서 잘 드러나고 있다. 그래서 먼저 각 작품의 시대적, 정신적 배경을 살펴보고,『짐승의 시간』에서의 주인공 기중의 독서치료 양상과『토니오 크뢰거』에서의 주인공 토니오 크뢰거의 독서 치료를 통한 삶과 죽음의 갈등 극복을 고찰하고자 한다.

A Study on the Experience of Poetry Therapy and Psychological Healing Process of Middle-aged Women

A Study on the Experience of Poetry Therapy and Psychological Healing Process of Middle-aged Women

“Only when it’s written here”: personal writing as testimony in the aftermath of childhood sexual abuse

ABSTRACT The article presents a narrative qualitative study that included analysis of 54 texts written and published online by 22 women aged 20–40 who had been sexually abused in childhood. The study found that personal writing by victims of childhood sexual abuse fosters rehabilitation of the damaged witness function within the post-traumatic mind by self-testimony processes that occur in various forms in the writing. Writing facilitates different aspects within conflicting experiences, as shows through the theme of silence and speech. I shall also address the unique role of images and metaphors in trauma processing. The theoretical contribution of the study to the field of bibliotherapy and poetry therapy is in understanding the role and meanings of writing in processes of coping with abuse and constructing self-cohesion as well as in the significance of combining writing and metaphorical work in therapy with victims of childhood sex abuse.

In the Shadows of Apartheid: Social Malady and Poetry Therapy in Ndlovu’s Poetry

Malika Lueen Ndlovu, a South African woman poet, has demonstrated a determined sense of commitment to confront the social absurdities of her society through her literary creations. Her works illustrate the philosophy of arts for life’s sake. Her creative motto is “creativity for healing”. It is in this light that this paper conceives social disorders as malady and poetry as therapy in relation to the wellbeing of the society. Two of Ndlovu’s poetry anthologies of poems were purposively selected to because of their thematic and aesthetic relevance to the study. They are Born in Africa But (2000) and Truth is Both Spirit and Flesh (2008). These texts present a corpus of poetry that portrays the society as a sick body whose illness is diagnosed by the poet’s stethoscopic pen to unveil unhealthy practices and restore sanity to the sick society. The texts also present the poet as a “social physician”. Through these texts, Ndlovu diagnosed gender and psychological maladies of post-Apartheid South Africa while exposing this putrefaction to mobilise social actions for its correction.

Implementing the training program of inter-professional poetry therapy groups in rural communities

ABSTRACT The authors of this paper present the initial outcome of using a SPARC Grant to train inter-professionals to implement a curriculum used in the provision of a co-facilitative poetry therapy group. Drawing upon best practices of poetry therapy, this innovative approach involved a professional poet and a therapist and contributes to the field because it is transferable among a variety of client populations. The authors offer an overview of the training used for inter-professionals located in rural communities.

Lessons From the Field. Family Grief Care and Bibliotherapy: A Call for Models and Studies

ObjectiveFor this Lesson From the Field report, I write as a family and grief educator to advocate for greater attention to bibliotherapy by family scientists, therapists, and educators. Bibliotherapy (also referred to as poetry therapy or therapeutic storytelling) is the use of literary resources, storytelling, or writing with the purpose of healing.BackgroundDisruptive changes can result in altered personal or family stories. Grief educator Tom Attig (1996) reported that after significant changes, such as bereavement, many persons describe a process of relearning their world. Family therapist Karl Tomm (1990) asserted that a human task throughout life is to story and re‐story. Earlier and current models of family development include milestones of changing family stories (see Duvall, 1962; McGoldrick et al., 2011). A current collective example is personal and family disruptions in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Despite many accounts, journals like Family Relations have rarely explored the intersection of family changes (for this article, the focus is family changes that result in loss and grief) using the perspectives and tools of bibliotherapy.MethodDisruptive changes and the resulting grief and loss for individuals and families were used as an example of a subject matter worthy of family scientists' attention.Conclusion and ImplicationsFamily grief care includes attention to changing family stories. Enhanced studies of bibliotherapy by family scientists can inform and enrich support for families through times of grief.

Narrative Medicine: Community Poetry Heals Young and Old

This is a snapshot of a service learning course founded on narrative medicine, a clinical practice designed to replace impersonal care with empathic listening. By utilizing poetry therapy techniques among nursing home populations, a program called HPU LifeLines promotes a community literacy of illness and provides psychological and physical benefits to elders and students alike through intergenerational relationships sustained by a community writing infrastructure.

USE OF THE HEROIC JOURNEY NARRATIVE IN THE DIAGNOSTIC INTERVIEW AND TREATMENT WITH FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

The aim: To explore and corroborate personal and family narratives within the framework of “heroic journey”, delineate function of the narrative in the diagnosis and treatment of families of children with special needs, and to describe the process of improving psychological well-being of these families. Materials and methods: The study material consisted of articles on the subject found in American and international databases (Springer, Thompson ISI’s Web of Science, Scopus and PsycINFO, Google Scholar), using keywords “family and child psychotherapy”, “heroic journey”, “differentially able”, “attachment”, “narrative”, “therapeutic storytelling”. Two case vignettes, parents of a) a special-needs adult and b) a pre-teen psychotherapeutic patient, illustrate application of the heroic journey narrative in psychotherapeutic treatment. Conclusions: Formation of the narrative identity is simultaneously the ends and the means: while a parent is encouraged to tell the story repeatedly over time, a new narrative identity emerges. Purpose, roles, patterns, and the structure of the storytelling process are outlined. Increased coherence of the family stories leads to strengthening attachment patterns. Using personal and family narratives for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment; incorporating and interpreting stories told in treatment can become a useful tool in the clinicians’ toolbox.

Using weighted directed graphs for identification of flow of emotions in poems

Poem is a spontaneous flow of emotions. There are several emotion detection systems to identify emotions from speech, gestures, and text (blogs, newspapers, stories and medical reports). Since such systems do not exist for poetry, we take the first step in building a system to recognize emotions in poetry by constructing a benchmark corpus, the PERC (Poem Emotion Recognition Corpus), of poems written by Indian poets in English. In this research a novel graphical method, Poem Emotion Trajectory System (PETS), is proposed to depict the flow of emotion in a poem. PETS is based on the construction of a weighted directed graph as a means to represent the emotion flow among the verses of a given poem. The weights represent the transition probability among the emotion states considered. The significant advantage is that a dominant path for each emotion category is identified. Emotion flow along verses is analyzed using a graph-based approach. This method, applied to each emotion category, generalizes the emotion flow in each emotion class. This PETS can be applied in poetry therapy and to enhance creative thinking and writing.