How Poetry Therapy Can Heal Your Heart, Mind, And Soul

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Since I've written poetry over the course of my life, I find inspirational poems healing a most fascinating subject.

And poetry therapy is a valuable tool that can be used to release resistance and fears.

Despite the more traditional approaches to this subject, there are many ways to access the areas of your mind and heart in a more personal way beyond structured and traditional techniques.

When you explore the deepest part of yourself, you'll discover something new.

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Traditional poetry therapy and healing.

As a form of expressive arts therapy, poetry therapy promotes healing through spoken and written media that includes both narratives and poems.

This therapeutic use of poetry uses existing writings for treatment purposes, as well as encouraging clients to write their own pieces of art with the intention of releasing deep emotional pain and trauma.

Although used by many mental health professionals, there is a credential program for certifying poetry therapists.

The International Federation of Biblio/Poetry Therapy has such a credentials program for those interested in accreditation as a poetry therapist or poetry facilitator.

The history of this type of healing can be traced back to the Egyptians around 4000 B.C.E.

Expressive forms of therapy through writing and reading have been more prevalent in recent times to address emotional and mental health challenges.

From the mid-1700s to today, poetry has been used in therapeutic settings to enhance the treatment procedures.

All this led to the forming of the Association of Poetry Therapy (APT) in 1969, and in 1980 it became the National Association of Poetry Therapy (NAPT).

The essence of poetry therapy.

Today, there are counselors, librarians, social workers, educators, psychologists, and psychiatrists including poetry therapy as part of their interventions.

It's used with people of all ages in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practice, correctional institutions, libraries, schools, and rehab centers.

Basically, it's used to bring up and expose feelings and pain buried in the subconscious from past hurts and trauma.

Most therapists follow general guidelines as to the type of poems used, and they have a list from which they choose.

There are a few different models of treatment ranging from symbolic and expressive to receptive and prescribing.

A more intuitive approach to inspirational poems' healing power.

While the more traditional and certified ways of poetry therapy do provide assistance to those in need, over the years in my work in mental health rehabilitation, I found that an eclectic approach works best.

No two people have the same challenges and personalities, so getting to know the person first helps in designing the most effective therapeutic approach.

It helps to have more than one therapeutic approach in your healing toolkit. Many people go to therapy for years without resolving the underlying challenge or problem.

The main cause or issue does not get addressed — and it results in many years of dancing around with symptoms and effects.

Approaching poetic healing from an intuitive direction zones in on the cause by drawing out the underlying issues from the client's essential self.

Poetry has a way of getting around the self-imposed protective barriers that state very clearly, "Don't go here! This territory is off-limits!"

Now, this is a very interactive approach in which the facilitator draws out information from the client in the construction of a succinct, clear, and to-the-point question that contains the issue to be resolved.

Then, the facilitator takes that question and allows his or her intuitive self to create a poem addressing that issue. The client is also welcome to write a poem or just review the poem written by the facilitator.

Although the issue can be resolved immediately, it more often takes some time in interpreting the poem and drawing out these issues.

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This is done with the client by allowing the repressed feelings and thoughts to emerge. Each situation is unique and will take on a different tone.

In a business setting, the question is posed and the poetry reveals the best way to address any business challenge.

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Speak from the heart.

This is about speaking from the heart and addressing real issues, even when the pain is buried deep and the protective measures put in place are resistant to change.

Poetry does an end-around so to speak on these types of challenges.

When the truth is allowed to surface, there's no question as to the validity of the result. There's a catharsis with a release of long-held pain and emotion that was hidden out of sight but continued to have its detrimental effects.

Even in business settings, there's a lot of self-sabotage going on that makes success a struggle.

Also, once a level of accomplishment is attained, there can be a reversal effect as we self-destruct by making poor decisions so that we return to our former level of production.

Being authentic is critical, and poetry is one way to bring these hidden or not-so-hidden limitations to the surface.

You cannot continue to lie to yourself when your heart is exposed to the truth.

"Allow" the healing to flow.

At some point, you might have had enough and you allow the healing to flow.

Poetry designed in an intuitive way addresses this and brings the core issues to the surface so that they can be dissipated and released.

You can then replace your uncomfortable thoughts and feelings with more life-enhancing messages and beliefs that actually take you in the direction you desire to go by being the person you're intended to be.

This eliminates the struggle with making progress in different areas of our lives. You're able to get into a nice natural flow.

You make "inspired decisions" that benefit yourself and others, and the distractions and noise in your head are greatly reduced if not totally eliminated.

This cannot be forced. It's an experiential process that depends on your "willingness" to face your fears and old conditioning and then let all that go. It cannot be faked.

When you've done this, you'll know as it will be plainly evident.

Poetry in motion through inspirational poems healing.

When used as an intuitive tool to facilitate healing or the sourcing of information within ourselves, poetry takes on a much different function than a bunch of rhymes or something that merely sounds good.

In this way, it's used to enhance our lives by contributing to the process of self-discovery.

The more you know yourself, the more you're able to engage with others in authentic ways. Your contacts and communication with others take on a whole new meaning and you're only interested in what's mutually beneficial in all of your relationships.

Healing through inspirational poems is a way to ignite your intuitive faculties in a way that brings practical results.

Poetry in motion contributes to a greater understanding of ourselves and others so that you're clear on your overall purpose and why you're doing what you're doing.

As a result, your personal and business lives are enhanced and the present moment becomes your friend and trusted companion.

May you enjoy peace and harmony right this very moment.

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Joseph William is an Intuitive Facilitator assisting Baby Boomers in creating the "Ultimate Retirement Lifestyle" by providing intuitive solutions to business and personal challenges and also known as The Un-Retired Entrepreneur.

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