Customer Reviews

Poetry Therapy: Theory and Practice

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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.

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.