Brief focused poetry therapy in the medical hospital. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Johnson, Alison
• Is Part Of: Journal of poetry therapy. Volume 30:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 53
• Page End: 60
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Brief therapy -- inpatient psychotherapy -- poetry therapy -- psychiatric nurse practitioners; Poetry -- Therapeutic use -- Periodicals; 615.8516
• DOI: 10.1080/08893675.2016.1256465
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0889-3675

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A medical hospitalization may precipitate or exacerbate psychiatric illness or uncover chemical dependency issues. The crisis of hospitalization can destabilize mood and make it difficult for individuals to access effective coping skills. Brief focused poetry therapy administered by a psychiatric nurse practitioner in the medical hospital blends approaches used by brief focused therapy, supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and crisis intervention therapy using a poetry therapy framework. Characteristics of this type of therapy include limited time, prompt intervention, limited goals, tight focus and high therapist intervention. Typical goals include to define feelings, develop insight, accept limitations and to generate hope for the future. Journaling and writing assignments are often incorporated into therapy sessions. Case studies and suggested poems for therapeutic use are provided.