There are as many methods for healing as there are individuals seeking help. Visiting a therapist, running in nature, crying, taking medication, and so on—everything is possible to feel better. One method that seems to have the power to make days more beautiful is art therapy, and more specifically, poetry therapy.
A Brief Introduction to Art Therapy
History and Creation of the Practice
Art therapy is a method that uses the artistic expression and creativity of an individual for psychotherapeutic purposes or personal development. It acts as a channel. Moreover, it offers a new form of communication for those who struggle to speak or express their problems. Creation itself holds a transformative power. First, one must find the idea, then seek ways to achieve it, take the necessary steps, and assess the outcome. Similarly, art therapy can mimic the therapeutic process itself.
In 1921, physician Walter Morgenthaler published A Psychiatric Patient as Artist, a seminal book on the connection between art and mental illness. In 1922, he released a work presenting the works of Adolf Wölfi, a patient who created a substantial number of drawings and collages. This book was crucial in the history of art therapy, as it introduced a positive link between illness and creation. Later, some occupational therapy pioneers highlighted the benefits of social and artistic activities, particularly in rehabilitation. To name another, Anna Freud, the well-known psychoanalyst’s daughter, discussed in 1945 the use of drawing as a way to trigger associative thinking in children.
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Areas of Application
Art therapy caters to people of all ages (children, adolescents, adults, the elderly). Furthermore, the target audience is diverse, ranging from individuals with Alzheimer’s disease to children with asthma, from depressed men to women suffering from post-traumatic stress. With art therapy, individuals can improve their well-being, reduce blood pressure, alleviate bodily pain, reduce stress, and more. Everyone is encouraged to practice art therapy. It can be practiced in medical or social institutions, or in private practice, such as in the office of a psychologist or the studio of an art therapist.
How Does Art Therapy Work?
Painting, dance, clay: choose what suits you
The goal of art therapy is to deconstruct therapy and its stages in order to use them for the individual’s healing. Several media can be employed:
- Painting: Whether freely or with constraints, painting impresses the subject’s thoughts onto the canvas.
- Coloring: Like meditation, coloring helps clear the mind and focus on a single activity.
- Clay: Due to its sensory properties, clay facilitates the expression of the psyche.
- Collage: By combining images and text, each creation opens up to an original or even unconscious composition. The connections between the materials may offer new insights into the subject.
- Cooking: Like a palette, ingredients are mixed, symbolizing an exploration of emotions.
- Theater: By playing one’s own or another’s role, one can bring other ideas to life.
- Dance: The body reverts to its instinctive, animalistic role and expresses emotions that transcend it (anger, sensuality, fear, etc.).
- Music: Instruments offer a new communication channel, a new language.
Note Well
There is no requirement to know artistic techniques or produce a beautiful artwork. The primary goal is to allow inner images to emerge, whether for interpretation or release. Art therapy gives form to the tensions and anxieties of the individual. For instance, if a child draws “fear” for the first time, the therapist can compare subsequent drawings to understand possible developments and adapt their therapeutic approach.
The therapist’s role is not to interpret the creative work but to guide the individual from one artistic production to the next to achieve greater clarity.
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Poetry Therapy
We’ve covered the various ways to start art therapy, but I intentionally reserved a separate section for poetry therapy, as I believe poetry offers a dual form of art therapy.
Poetry We Write
Writing poetry is an intimate and therapeutic act. It allows one to release buried emotions. Like a mirror, poetry reflects the soul of the writer, providing a catharsis that helps better understand their inner state. Many psychoanalysts and therapists agree that writing poetry encourages deep introspection. Moreover, it can help address psychological disorders, particularly as part of an expressive or creative healing process.
Writing poetry is also a way to resist suffering or anxiety. It becomes a tool for resilience, a space to reorganize thoughts and structure emotional chaos. Poetry, with its freedom in form and tone, offers a judgment-free zone where one can escape the constraints of prose or everyday speech. Each line then becomes an opportunity to express and rebuild oneself.
Thus, whether it’s spontaneous writing or a more structured form of art therapy, poetry allows individuals to give words to the unspeakable within a space of total freedom. It serves as a refuge, where thoughts and emotions can be released without rules.
Poetry We Recite
Recitation, on the other hand, enhances the emotional and cognitive impact of poetic art. According to several studies, reciting verses has a relaxing and soothing effect, akin to a form of meditation. Speech, especially when spoken with rhythm, intonation, and emotion, becomes a powerful vehicle for memory and self-awareness. Reciting poetry engages the body, voice, and breath. Thus, it creates a complete experience that stimulates both intellect and physical and mental well-being.
Active recitation of poetry can also be a form of therapy. By reading poems aloud, the individual claims the words in a way that differs from writing: they make them resonate and come to life. According to personal development experts, the simple act of reciting can reduce stress, improve mood, and boost self-confidence. The rhythm and musicality of the poems influence emotional states, offering a form of emotional regulation.
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Moreover, in a group setting, reciting poetry can create powerful moments of sharing. Whether in a literary circle, a class, or informally, recitation fosters human connection and opens up spaces for discussion. In this way, poetry transcends individual boundaries to touch something common—shared emotion or ideas.
Conclusion
Art therapy, especially poetry therapy, opens a vast range of possibilities for self-exploration. It requires no prior technical skills but relies on the intuition and sincerity of human emotions. Therefore, it is accessible to everyone, regardless of age or condition, offering an alternative, spiritual method for better understanding oneself and enhancing well-being.
In a world filled with traditional healing methods, art therapy stands out for its ability to provide deep comfort through a gentle, creative, and profoundly human approach. Whether writing or reciting, poetry—like other forms of art—becomes a powerful tool for liberation, transformation, and reconciliation with oneself.
