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Poetry and story therapy: The healing power of creative

expression

Article  in  Journal of Poetry Therapy · December 2011

DOI: 10.1080/08893675.2011.625209

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Ted Bowman
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
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Poetry and story therapy: The healing

power of creative expression
a
Ted Bowman
a
Saint Paul, MN

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 Journal of Poetry Therapy
2011, 1!2, iFirst article

Book Review
Poetry and story therapy: The healing power of creative expression. By Geri
Giebel Chavis. London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2011, 256 pp.,
US$29.95 (paperback), ISBN: 978-1-84905-832-2.

Geri Giebel Chavis,1 long-time leader in the expressive art of poetry therapy, shares
Downloaded by [Ted Bowman] at 09:45 08 December 2011

her collected wisdom and experience in Poetry and Story Therapy: The Healing Power
of Creative Expression. This volume is a significant contribution to the growing
literature about the expressive literary arts. A key feature of the book is the author’s
ability to discuss theory and research, historical antecedents for current poetry
therapy, aid readers in exploration of the pros and cons of approaches and selections,
and to describe examples and models for use by clinicians and other practitioners.
Follow along as I elaborate my strong recommendation that Chavis’s book should be
a part of your library.
Poetry and Story Therapy is in three sections. Part one is an exploration of poems
as springboards for growth and healing. Part two addresses stories as stimuli for
personal development and relationship building. The final section is a cornucopia of
methods, tools, and rich examples.
Section one traces the power of poetry throughout history as an instrument for
healing. The author steadily moves the reader forward in understanding how rhythm
and repetition, free verse and traditional forms, and the selection of poems that
match with specific therapeutic goals can be selected and used. The seasoned
practitioner will find clarity and pungent prompts and practices. Those less familiar
with or intimidated by poetry and the forms of poetry will be put at ease by her
common-sense writing and approaches. Specific groups of people and themes are
addressed: working with couples, poems for beginnings and farewells, and discus-
sions following the use of poems. The section ends with two vignettes to illustrate the
process.
Section two begins with the foundational character of stories in human lives.
Quoting Silko, ‘‘. . . you don’t have anything if you don’t have the stories . . .’’ Chavis

1
Editor’s Note: The Journal of Poetry Therapy includes reviews of books of interest to poetry therapists.
Of special interest are thematic poetry anthologies that deal with personal issues and experiences, as well
as books about any aspect of the therapeutic use of literature and writing. Please note, however, that
chapbooks and self-published poetry books will not be considered. To be considered for review, books
should be sent to: Charles Rossiter, Ph.D., C.P.T., Book Review Editor, Journal of Poetry Therapy, 705
S. Gunderson Ave., Oak Park, IL 60304, USA. Email: Charlie.Rossiter@poetrypoetry.org
ISSN 0889-3675 print
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08893675.2011.625209
 2 Book Review

moves to connect story gathering and storytelling with personal stories and the
therapeutic features of stories. Stimulating discussions follow about various forms:
fairy and folk tales, children’s stories, short story, nonfiction, and memoir. The
breadth of Chavis’s range adds to the value of Poetry and Story Therapy.
In addition, factors to consider when using stories will be of benefit to
practitioners as they explore the use of stories in their educational, medical, or
therapeutic settings.
The book’s final section is a potpourri of resources. Creativity oozes from the
pages as Chavis discusses word play, use of objects, the natural world, visual and
musical stimuli, collages, and group poems. One of the tools of poetry therapy is the
prompt. A sentence from fiction or memoir or a few lines of poetry is offered for
reaction and response. As Chavis puts it, evocative language builds bridges between
levels of consciousness within a person and between persons. In this section
particularly, Chavis’s examples continually prompted me to move from a page in
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her book to my own writing page or to search for the full poem or story she had
named. There should be a warning label on the cover of this book: ‘‘Reader beware,
you may find yourself reflecting, writing, or diverting from this book. Be prepared
with paper, time, and openness to discernment.’’
Practitioners who use writing, literary sources, and metaphors in their
therapeutic work have a new and wonderful volume to support and expand their
efforts. Educators of and coaches for those wanting to learn about the expressive
literary arts have a rich, stimulating resource for their efforts. Lovers of literature
could pass over all the pages about poetry and story therapy and still get a book of
value for the exceptional variety of quotes and references.
This marvelous volume evolved, as Chavis notes with appreciation, on the
shoulders of pioneers and peers. Hynes, Lerner, Bolton, Mazza, and many more may
have paved the way. Chavis extends and enriches their pathways toward the healing
power of creative expression. For that, I say, Thanks! I think you will too.

Ted Bowman
Saint Paul, MN
bowma008@umn.edu

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