Poetry Therapy: Theory and Practice [Paperback]

Nicholas Mazza (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415944864 | ISBN-13: 978-0415944861 | Publication Date: September 22, 2004

Poetry therapy has been formally recognized as a valuable form of treatment for over thirty years, and has been proven effective worldwide with many diverse clients. Written by a pioneer and consistent leader in the field, Poetry Therapy: Theory and Practice presents a unified model for the effective practice of poetry therapy. Based on his wealth of clinical and theoretical knowledge, Dr. Nicholas Mazza outlines a tripartite system composed of receptive, expressive, and symbolic modes of practice. This text serves as a primary resource for any serious practitioner interested in poetry therapy, bibliotherapy, writing and healing, or the broader area of creative/expressive arts therapies.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'While the healing value of poetry is undeniable, its clinical applications have tended to be ignored, uncharted, and underestimated-until now. In this remarkable volume, Nicholas Mazza shows convincingly how metaphor, imagery, and language can assuage the thorniest ills, and ameliorate the most surprising forms of dysfunction. Poetry Therapy belongs on every sensitive clinician's desk!' - Kirk J. Schneider , Ph.D., Senior Editor, Handbook of Humanistic Psychology; President, Existential-Humanistic Institute

'Dr. Nicholas Mazza's landmark book on poetry therapy, is a beautifully written and conceived work that is an invaluable guide to sophisticated clinical practitioners who recognized the power of the written word and its potential for healing; its appearance is an occasion for celebration.' - George S. Getzel, D.S.W., Professor Emeritus, Hunter College of the City University of New York

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (September 22, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415944864
• ISBN-13: 978-0415944861
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #688,133 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic resource!, August 10, 2006

By 

Geneva Abiko "Geneva Reynaga-Abiko, Psy.D." - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Poetry Therapy: Theory and Practice (Paperback)

Mazza has provided a complete history of poetry, song lyrics, bibliotherapy, journaling, free-writing, etc. as they are used in the therapeutic enterprise. He includes individual, family, couples and special populations (children, the elderly, A.I.D.S. victims, and battered women) in his descriptions of useful ways to conduct poetry therapy. There are several appendices at the end of the book, including sample writing exercises, sample poems organized along common themes seen in psychotherapy, internet resources, and the poetry therapy code of ethics. This book is a must for anyone engaging in poetry therapy, including those who use it as an adjunct to traditional talk therapies.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Poetry Therapy, September 29, 2008

By 

PennyLane Books (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Poetry Therapy: Theory and Practice (Paperback)

This book outlines the principles of poetry therapy easily so that anyone in a helping profession (Social workers, therapists, etc.) can use the technique with their clients. It's not just "Here's a poem: what do you think about it?" but really shows you how to tie it in a counseling session. If you are interested in using this technique then this is the book to get.