Creativity in therapy – use of poetry
A foundational element of the therapeutic relationship is the sharing of communication and perspective through language. However, direct conversation about what you are thinking and feeling can be incredibly challenging for many of us. This can be true for children, young people, and adults.
A potential therapeutic tool can be the use of poetry. It offers a non-directive way to explore our experiences and emotional responses. Gaining perspective from a position of objectivity can sometimes allow us to explore alternative thought processes and coping strategies. In other words, if talking about what you are or have gone through feels scary, poetry can offer a way to explore this from a seat in the audience. Allowing you to verbalise feelings and thoughts through creating something.
Below, with their kind permission, is a great example of the use of poetry in therapy from a child supported through our practice at Talk In The Bay. It is untitled but explores the experience of being noticed.
The dragon flies so very high
He loops and glides through the sky
He stretches his wings with triumphant glee
Saying sad child will you fly with me?
Around the globe we soar and leap
I look down and see the ocean so deep
I see trees and mountains so high
He said how could I be friends with a beast such as I?
Of course of course I squeal with delight
You have made me so happy with a beautiful sight
I never want our adventures to end
The best part is that now I have found a friend
Dragon and I will be friends forever
We will fly together whatever the weather
All through the day and all through the night
Dancing and soaring in the moonlight
I yawn and hug the dragons back
I feel so safe from any attack
I close my eyes and lean in close
Whispering I will always love you most
Using the poem, dragon recognised the girl was sad and wanted to be her friend. Dragon may have ignored the child in other scenarios but in this one, he saw them and included them on their many adventures
Poetry and other creative activities can allow a space to be created in the room for depersonalisation. The client who enters the room (be they adult or child) may have spent a long time actively avoiding the memories or emotions we are there to discuss.
It is often too painful or too heavy or sometimes we’re not used to opening up about any of our private thoughts with another person. It just hurts too much.
Writing poetry allows us a chance to explore and examine those emotions and memories objectively – which can provide new perspective and to help us heal.
Poetry (as well as other therapeutic writing tools) can allow us to create a new ending when the memory of trauma is too much. It can remind us that we have the ability to create and mould a story. That if we are unable to change the story, we always have the ability to write another verse or chapter.
For children, the power of authorship allows control over the world they create. This can support the development of self control and understanding of the connectivity of actions and consequences.
