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The Method
A typical session
I. Introduction
-The H2H Mentor will create a gentle, non-threatening atmosphere where the groups feel safe and are able to share feelings openly and honestly. The group agrees to respect any confidential issues that are brought up. A warm-up consisting of a word game, word associations, a song, or other verbal introduction is used to "break the ice" so everyone feels comfortable.
II. The Body of the Session
-The facilitator suggests a creative writing theme, or uses creative writing that has already been published to help participants to explore feelings, thoughts, ideas and personal issues. Choosing literature that will be effective therapeutically requires forethought and sensitivity. Although there are no fixed rules regarding the method for selecting material, there are some basic guidelines:
1) The Mentor uses universal material to foster identification.
-A catalyst poem will be chosen according to the isoprinciple, matching the feeling tone of the poem to the client's mood to aid in the identification process.
2) The facilitator avoids confusing, hopeless, and depressing material that offers no resolution or insights into coping with negative feelings.
-Even if a poem's last few lines are uplifting, if the bulk of material is negative, the mood of the client may plummet with counter-therapeutic results.
3) The facilitator chooses poems in which the metaphoric content
builds upon and integrates images clearly and consistently.
-This leads to clear, cohesive thinking on the part of the listener.
4) The facilitator avoids literary material that glorifies homicide, suicide, or that denigrates parental figures or G-d.
In addition to choosing the genre or form of literature, the mentor will pay special attention to the content of the material and its relevance to the participants. The developmental level, cultural make-up, literacy level, circumstance and emotional fragility of the participants will be assessed prior to making a literary selection.
Ideally, each participant is given a copy of the chosen literature, so that the words can be taken in visually while being heard. Reading the material silently is not enough; a poem must be read word for word in order that rhythm, rhyme, assonance and alliteration be appreciated. Poetry therapy can be used effectively with any population regardless of formal education or reading ability. Because the literature is read aloud, participation is not hampered by illiteracy or physical disabilities.
Reading poetry aloud builds group cohesion, is ego-boosting, and enables patients to respond to the rhythm of the poem. The closer the rhythm of the poem is to the human heartbeat, the more calming its effect. Therefore, the rhythm of a poem is a factor that should not be overlooked.
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