Poetry Therapy
My Approach
By centering poetry and the written word in the counseling process, we are able to reach new heights of introspection and understanding. Offered to both individuals and couples, Poetry Therapy fosters dignity, a sense of belonging, and self awareness.
What is Poetry Therapy?
Poetry Therapy, also known as BiblioTherapy, is an expressive form of Art Therapy that utilizes literature, journaling, film, storytelling, and poetry to unearth hidden aspects of our psyche, work through trauma, and address unwanted behaviors. Those who have enjoyed its benefits praise its ability to increase self awareness, empathy, and self esteem, provide catharsis, and decrease feelings of isolation, stress, and anxiety.
Why Poetry Therapy…
The indirect message I hear repeatedly while working with clients is, “I want to know that I matter.” When I work with my clients, it is sometimes challenging for them to know what they are experiencing. Traditional questions such as, “What’s coming up for you?” or “What are you feeling?” can be uncomfortable, if not baffling for many.
Many of us were not conditioned to listen to ourselves in a way that promotes self understanding. By channeling our voices through a creative medium, we can feel a greater sense of agency and safety while working on ourselves.
Do you…
- Find you express yourself best through writing?
- Often feel seen through a piece of writing, a song, or poem?
- Uncover latent emotions through experiencing writing, a song, or poem?
- Wish sometimes you could explain what you are feeling to others by writing?
Kind words from clients
“Ellyn is caring and insightful with an uncanny sense for knowing when to nudge in a direction which invariably leads to a breakthrough.”
Her professionalism, wisdom and warmth are a wonderful combination and a treasure in my life. Whenever an advice columnist suggests someone should seek counseling, my overwhelming inner response is always, “Find Ellyn!”
Current Client
Working Together with a Poem…
Within individual counseling, we will self explore. Seeing ourselves outside of ourselves in a tangible way, through poetry, music, or writing, allows for a valuable amount of distance. Whether a piece of literature speaks directly to the human condition or is about a tree in the forest, there is potential for seeing oneself in the writing, leading to a more accessible process of self discovery.
Within couples counseling, we will build a safe, therapeutic, and creative space for couples to learn more about each other and themselves as individuals for nurturing resilience (rupture and repair) in communication, intimacy, and attachment strategies.
We will explore the ways in which Poetry Therapy (reading, discussion, writing, and sharing) can act as a portal to expression and understanding of feelings, both of one’s own and of other’s.
Details and Investment:
Services offered via video conferencing or telephone.
$125 per hour session
Ready to learn more about you?
Poems
Recognition
By Tess Gallagher
Staring down from the bridge
at the moon
broken up
in the river, who
could know, without looking
up, it stands whole above
the shattered self.
Although the Wind
By Izumi Shikibu
Although the wind
Blows terribly here,
The moonlight also leaks
Between the roof planks
Of this ruined house.