The intersection of creativity and psychiatry is long-standing and is certainly notable regarding poets and their work. There are a number of major writers who have documented their own experiences of mental illness and trauma through their writing and there has been growing interest and research into the role writing can play in healing and emotional regulation. There has been some exploration of the impact writing has on individuals, both patients and physicians, but writing poetry in collaboration can further decrease the feelings of isolation, foster communication, and create a sustaining and nurturing sense of community within groups, whether those are groups of patients, trainees, or clinical colleagues. This lecture will share lived experience of a poet-psychiatrist and education around poetic forms and their potential for personal and professional application.
Target Audience
This activity is intended for physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and other mental health professionals.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this activity, attendees will be able to:
- Recognize and define multiple poetic forms including the cento, renga, American sonnet, golden shovel, and ekphrastic poem.
- Explain how these forms can be used as individual activity for reflection and to help with emotional expression and regulation.
- Distinguish how these various forms can be used in clinical practice with patients in individual and group settings as well as colleagues, staff, and trainees.