The Relevance of Poetic Language for the Revitalization of Psychotherapy

Abstract

This article addresses the problems associated with language in the therapeutic setting that is stale, overly rigid, or too reliant on jargon, and therefore inhibits the full and open exploration of clients. Instead, the author suggests that psychotherapy learn from and borrow from the field of poetry. Specifically, the use of poetic language—defined as language that is rooted in images, pictures, and metaphors and that is spontaneous, associative, and informal—can improve therapists’ tracking of the somatic-emotional-mental experiences of clients and create a rich and textured holding environment that is better fit for the transformational process. The article explores observations and statements by both poets and psychotherapists, examines the overlap and parallels between them, and describes a means for using poetic language to revitalize therapeutic language and the process of therapy.

Keywords:

• clinical practice
• co-regulation
• metaphors
• poetic language
• psychotherapeutic language

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hans Jorg Stahlschmidt

Dr. Hans Jorg Stahlschmidt, PhD, received the foundation of his education and training as a psychologist in Germany and received his PhD in clinical psychology from Pacifica University. He is Senior Core Faculty as well as Senior Trainer at the PACT Institute, developing curriculum and training therapists in a specific couple therapy approach, the PACT model. He also maintains a private practice in Berkeley and is a widely published poet.