Uses of Poetry and Music in Counseling.

Abstract

Although both poetry, and music have been used as therapeutic tools in individual and group counseling, few counselors use the techniques in combination. Poetry therapists tend to follow either the strucutred approach of Leedy, in which poems are used as treatment, or the less structured approach of Lerner, in which poems are used as medium. Music, like poetry, also has been used in both structured and less structured ways, to help clients express their feelings through others' music or their own combinations, and to help the therapist express his perceptions of the client. In group and family counseling, the combination of poetry and music can facilitate the counseling process by providing a nonthreatening vehicle for cognitive:and affective expression. Two techniques which have been effective are reading a poem and inviting reactions, and creating collaborative poems. As in using any therapeutic tool, caution in regard to. timing and appropriateness is necessary to ensure beneficial results. Limitations include a perception of the technique as academic and intellectual. On the positive side, poetry and music can help break defenses and expose material that may be overwhelming to the client at first. (A list of references is appended). (BL) ************************************************************************ Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ***********************************************************************

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