Poetry as a therapeutic avenue

The significance of poetry in the context of pastoral psychology has not, as yet, received the attention it has in professional psychoanalytic literature. The authors of this series (eventually to be published at book-length) provide a terse but extensive review of such research, underscoring the therapeutic value of symbolic,intrapsychic artistry. Religious ideation, as well as other intrapsychic expressions, are incorporated by means of personal therapeutic situations focused on a patient's or client's poetry. With permission, these poems are quoted directly. From this data and their clinical experiences, the authors set forth two modes for considering unconsciously defensive or consciously self-disclosive uses of written poetry in and during psychoanalytic pastoral counseling or psychotherapy.Dr. Christensen is in the private practice of psychiatry, Northbrook, Illinois. He holds senior academic positions at the medical schools of Northwestern University and the University of Illinois, Chicago, as well as the post of Consulting Psychiatrist to The Community Pastoral Counseling and Consultation Center, Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge. Dr. Moss is the Executive Director of The Seabury Institute for Pastoral Psychotherapy, Atlanta. He is also the co-editor ofThe Organization and Administration of Pastoral Counseling Centers, Book Review Editor of theJournal of Religion and Health, and Editor of Artistic Photography forPilgrimage: The Journal of Existential Psychology. Reprint requests should be directed to: All Saints' Episcopal Church, 634 West Peachtree Street, N.W., Atlanta, GA 30308.