Expressive Arts Therapy is a growing field that includes music, painting, dance, drama, and poetry.

I utilize poetry as a tool for developing self-awareness in my consultations. As a poetess, I have explored personally and professionally with others, the healing process of Poetry Therapy. After writing poetry for over 10 years, I began training with the National Association of Poetry Therapy (NAPT). This training confirmed what I had learned through my own experience, that writing and reading poetry can be profoundly healing. The metaphors of poetry are a bridge to the unconscious that help increase awareness and emotional clarity.

It’s not just about writing or reading poetry, but also using metaphor and imagery as a way to view our lives. Poetry helps to soften the linear realities with the eloquence of the soul. This can enlighten any disease or trauma with poetic reasoning about causes, deeper than the physical symptoms, as expressed by Thomas Moore:

If we were to examine our diseases poetically, we might find a
wealth of imagery that could speak to the way we live our lives.
-Thomas Moore

Poetry is one of my most precious tools as a counselor. Oftentimes, in consultations I give clients poems that resonate with his or her circumstance. Relating to a poem can give a person great solace and feelings of not being alone. This can be very nurturing in difficult times. In light of my passion for poetry, I have included some inspiring poetry from some brilliant poets and even a few of my own. Please feel free to read these or share any poems with me that have been healing to you in some way.