Group poetry therapy for clients recovering from anorexia: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of client experience

Ramsey-Wade, Christine

Abstract

Poetry therapy, also known as bibliotherapy or therapeutic creative writing, is an arts-based therapy which uses creative writing or published literature for therapeutic means. Like other art therapies, it may be a useful addition to the range of interventions that can be offered to clients recovering from anorexia in day patient or inpatient clinics, where there is a particular need for new treatments. In this qualitative study, participants who have had experience of a poetry therapy group while in treatment for anorexia will be invited to take part in semi-structured interviews. Interviews will examine their experience of the intervention, both in terms of what was helpful and unhelpful and how these effects took place. Transcribed interview data will be analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to examine the first-person, lived experience of this intervention and to give voice to members of this vulnerable group and their recommendations for commissioners. This project is a work in progress and the poster will present the initial themes from the analysis at the time of the conference. The case for and against poetry therapy as a well-matched arts-based intervention for this client group will be reviewed in light of the project findings, with suggestions for further research.

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Conference Name: Appearance Matters 7 Conference
• Start Date: Jun 28, 2016
• End Date: Jun 30, 2016
• Acceptance Date: Feb 20, 2016
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jul 25, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 25, 2016
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: poetry, anorexia
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/922553
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : Appearance Matters 7
• Contract Date: Jul 25, 2016