Poetry therapy is the intentional use of poetry and other forms of literature for healing and personal growth. Learn how to introduce therapeutic writing into your work, to help people improve their health and wellbeing.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
Research over the last 30 years has found links between writing, health and wellbeing. This is a practical and experiential course for people who are interested in either using therapeutic writing for their own self-care or introducing therapeutic writing or poetry therapy in their work with clients or groups.
We will use carefully chosen poetry and self- reflective writing to facilitate discussions. Using our own experiences, we will reflect upon this process, and be introduced to some basic knowledge of poetry therapy.
What will we cover?
The course will explore the use of poems and expressive writing as a tool for self-discovery, creativity and personal development. No previous experience of writing poetry or expressive writing is necessary.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Describe the basic principles of poetry therapy and therapeutic writing.
Explain the difference between creative writing and therapeutic writing.
List three different poetry therapy / therapeutic writing techniques.
Evaluate the importance of a safe and supportive framework for therapeutic writing
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course offers insights into poetry therapy and therapeutic writing at an introductory level. This course will be of interest to writers of all kinds, medical and healthcare professionals, counsellors, therapists, social workers, librarians, academics, teachers, service providers in a variety of health and therapeutic environments.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Teaching methods will include tutor presentations; audio-visual aids; class discussion (in pairs and small groups).
Some guided imagery and a range of visual and writing prompts facilitated by the tutor.
You will be encouraged to practice writing (journaling) between sessions and while this isn’t essential we hope you’ll want to find the time to do it.
You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
All art materials and poems are provided, but do bring your own notebook. We suggest: A new notebook - one that you can use just for this class and between sessions. A pen or pencil which enables you to write quickly and freely.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
If you would like to continue building your confidence and facilitate groups, you can progress to the advanced level course Working with Therapeutic Writing - Advanced.
Charmaine Pollard qualified as a certified poetry therapist with the USA-based International Federation for Biblio-Potry Therapy. She is also a BACP registered / accredited counsellor and life coach. She has a passion for facilitating therapeutic writing groups and workshops in schools, prisons, libraries, clinical settings and in the community. She enjoys teaching at City Lit, as it is a diverse and vibrant place to learn. She especially enjoys introducing students to poetry therapy. Her courses are based on reading poetry discussing, and writing in response to promote health and wellbeing. Charmaine Pollard is author of Writing for Resilience a workbook that harnesses the power of writing to help boost self-awareness and strenghten resilience. It is available to buy on Amazon.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/working-with-therapeutic-writing2710980Working with Therapeutic Writinghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Certificate-in-counselling-skills-1024.jpg179179GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Health & wellbeing/Courses/Health & wellbeing/Psychology & counselling/Courses/Health & wellbeing/Psychology & counselling/Counselling/Courses/Counselling & psychotherapy/Counselling: working with (CPD)/Courses/New courses2285124912731274134471743122851249127313435<p>Poetry therapy is the intentional use of poetry and other forms of literature for healing and personal growth. Learn how to introduce therapeutic writing into your work, to help people improve their health and wellbeing.</p>003039793Working with Therapeutic Writing179179https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Certificate-in-counselling-skills-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeSunKean Street Wellbeing CentreAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2027-02-28T00:00:00+00:00Feb 2027Health & wellbeingPT576179179Working with Therapeutic Writing179116179Charmaine Pollardworking-with-therapeutic-writing/pt576-2627<p>Poetry therapy is the intentional use of poetry and other forms of literature for healing and personal growth. Learn how to introduce therapeutic writing into your work, to help people improve their health and wellbeing.</p>0000-Available|2027-02-28 00:00:00<p>Research over the last 30 years has found links between writing, health and wellbeing. This is a practical and experiential course for people who are interested in either using therapeutic writing for their own self-care or introducing therapeutic writing or poetry therapy in their work with clients or groups.</p><p>We will use carefully chosen poetry and self- reflective writing to facilitate discussions.<br>Using our own experiences, we will reflect upon this process, and be introduced to some basic knowledge of poetry therapy.<br></p><p>Poetry therapy is the intentional use of poetry and other forms of literature for healing and personal growth. Learn how to introduce therapeutic writing into your work, to help people improve their health and wellbeing.</p><p>The course will explore the use of poems and expressive writing as a tool for self-discovery, creativity and personal development. No previous experience of writing poetry or expressive writing is necessary.</p><ul><li>Describe the basic principles of poetry therapy and therapeutic writing.</li><li>Explain the difference between creative writing and therapeutic writing.</li><li>List three different poetry therapy / therapeutic writing techniques.</li><li>Evaluate the importance of a safe and supportive framework for therapeutic writing <br></li></ul><p>This course offers insights into poetry therapy and therapeutic writing at an introductory level. This course will be of interest to writers of all kinds, medical and healthcare professionals, counsellors, therapists, social workers, librarians, academics, teachers, service providers in a variety of health and therapeutic environments.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion.</p><ul><li>Teaching methods will include tutor presentations; audio-visual aids; class discussion (in pairs and small groups).</li><li>Some guided imagery and a range of visual and writing prompts facilitated by the tutor.</li><li>You will be encouraged to practice writing (journaling) between sessions and while this isn’t essential we hope you’ll want to find the time to do it.</li><li>You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.</li></ul><p>All art materials and poems are provided, but do bring your own notebook. We suggest:<br>A new notebook - one that you can use just for this class and between sessions.<br>A pen or pencil which enables you to write quickly and freely.<br></p><p>If you would like to continue building your confidence and facilitate groups, you can progress to the advanced level course Working with Therapeutic Writing - Advanced.</p>Psychology & counsellingCounsellingvirtual179179116PT576NONESun28/02/2710:00 - 17:0010:0017:001 session1One-off onlyWeekendKWCKean Street Wellbeing CentreCharmaine PollardAvailable courses2027-02-28T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeFeb 2027Health & wellbeing179179Working with Therapeutic Writingworking-with-therapeutic-writing/pt576-2627<p>Poetry therapy is the intentional use of poetry and other forms of literature for healing and personal growth. Learn how to introduce therapeutic writing into your work, to help people improve their health and wellbeing.</p>0000-Available|2027-02-28 00:00:00<p>Research over the last 30 years has found links between writing, health and wellbeing. This is a practical and experiential course for people who are interested in either using therapeutic writing for their own self-care or introducing therapeutic writing or poetry therapy in their work with clients or groups.</p><p>We will use carefully chosen poetry and self- reflective writing to facilitate discussions.<br>Using our own experiences, we will reflect upon this process, and be introduced to some basic knowledge of poetry therapy.<br></p><p>Poetry therapy is the intentional use of poetry and other forms of literature for healing and personal growth. Learn how to introduce therapeutic writing into your work, to help people improve their health and wellbeing.</p><p>The course will explore the use of poems and expressive writing as a tool for self-discovery, creativity and personal development. No previous experience of writing poetry or expressive writing is necessary.</p><ul><li>Describe the basic principles of poetry therapy and therapeutic writing.</li><li>Explain the difference between creative writing and therapeutic writing.</li><li>List three different poetry therapy / therapeutic writing techniques.</li><li>Evaluate the importance of a safe and supportive framework for therapeutic writing <br></li></ul><p>This course offers insights into poetry therapy and therapeutic writing at an introductory level. This course will be of interest to writers of all kinds, medical and healthcare professionals, counsellors, therapists, social workers, librarians, academics, teachers, service providers in a variety of health and therapeutic environments.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion.</p><ul><li>Teaching methods will include tutor presentations; audio-visual aids; class discussion (in pairs and small groups).</li><li>Some guided imagery and a range of visual and writing prompts facilitated by the tutor.</li><li>You will be encouraged to practice writing (journaling) between sessions and while this isn’t essential we hope you’ll want to find the time to do it.</li><li>You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.</li></ul><p>All art materials and poems are provided, but do bring your own notebook. We suggest:<br>A new notebook - one that you can use just for this class and between sessions.<br>A pen or pencil which enables you to write quickly and freely.<br></p><p>If you would like to continue building your confidence and facilitate groups, you can progress to the advanced level course Working with Therapeutic Writing - Advanced.</p>Psychology & counsellingCounsellingconfigurable
