Is poetry therapy an appropriate intervention for clients recovering from anorexia? A critical review of the literature and client report

Ramsey-Wade, Christine; Devine, Ellen

Abstract

© 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Poetry therapy is an arts-based psychotherapeutic intervention, often delivered in groups. This paper argues that the process and benefits of poetry therapy may be particularly suited to clients recovering from anorexia, as an adjunct to other treatments. Poetry therapy and its history are described briefly, and the relevance of poetry therapy for clients recovering from anorexia is outlined. After one client contributes her experience of this treatment for illustration, the paper offers a review of the evidence base for poetry therapy for eating disorders, and argues that, while research is limited, further research is warranted. Finally, a description of one form of clinical application is offered, to enable replication.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 5, 2017
• Publication Date: May 4, 2018
• Deposit Date: Oct 5, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 9, 2017
• Journal: British Journal of Guidance and Counselling
• Print ISSN: 0306-9885
• Electronic ISSN: 1469-3534
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 46
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 282-292
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2017.1379595
• Keywords: poetry therapy, anorexia, eating disorders, appearance research, therapeutic writing, body image
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/880008
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2017.1379595
• Additional Information: This article has been re-published as a book chapter with the full citation:; ; Ramsey-Wade, C. and Devine, E. (2024) 'Is poetry therapy an appropriate intervention for clients recovering from anorexia? A critical review of the literature and client report.' In Lengelle, R., Hughes, D. & Hambly L. (eds.) Art That Tells The Truth: Creative Methods in Guidance and Counselling, London: Routledge, pp. 18-28.; ; The book can be accessed on the publisher website: https://www.routledge.com/Art-that-Tells-the-Truth-Creative-Methods-in-Guidance-and-Counselling/Lengelle-Hughes-Hambly/p/book/9781032629575
• Contract Date: Oct 5, 2017