Literacy therapy - what is it?
When I tell people that I am a literary therapy counsellor, their faces are usually filled with astonishment. This is not surprising, as literary therapy is still less well known in Finland than other forms of creative therapy, although, for example, the first European association in this field, Suomen Kirjallisuusterapiayhdistys, was founded in Finland as early as 1981.
Literacy therapy can be confusing even as a word. So do literary therapists and literary therapy counsellors offer therapy? And what are the benefits of such therapy? Or do they share book tips and reading recipes? And what does literature mean in this context? Self help guides? Fiction? Non-fiction? And what exactly happens in literary therapy groups? Are they reading circles or rather creative writing groups? Who needs literary therapy? Who is it for? What do you need to know?
In this post, I answer the questions below on literacy therapy. If after reading you still want more information,
please contact us, and we'll talk.
What is literary therapy?
Literacy therapy is a multi-treatment interactional process involving the therapist or counsellor and members of the group or, in individual therapy, the client.
In groups using literacy therapy methods, people read prepared texts, write themselves and discuss the feelings and ideas evoked by the texts they read and write. Literacy therapy is based on the idea that it is easier to approach one's own problems and feelings through written texts than directly. Texts can help you to identify things and feelings that have previously been hidden or for which you have not even had words.
Just reading or writing can be therapeutic, but literacy therapy always involves discussing the feelings and thoughts that come from reading and writing. Interaction provides an opportunity to mirror one's own thoughts, feelings and experiences with those of others, which can generate new insights and perspectives, for example on the possibility of change. Writing, on the other hand, has been found to enhance the brain's ability to process emotions such as fear, thus mitigating their effects.
The texts used as stimuli in literary therapy can be poems, short stories or novel excerpts, but also newspaper articles, songs or films. Photographs and other visual material, as well as various objects, are also suitable. The texts and other material will be treated on the basis of the emotions and ideas they evoke, not from the point of view of literary theory or criticism.
The history of literary therapy in a nutshell
The power of the word was believed in in ancient times. In many early cultures, for example, the spoken or sung word was believed to have a healing effect, and Finnish folklore is also rich in various healing and curing spells.
The modern approach to literary therapy is based on the European philosophical trends of the 19th and 19th centuries, which reflected on the characteristics of human consciousness and action, both from an individual and general point of view. Practical literary therapy, as it is understood today, emerged in the United States, where poetry was first used to treat mental health problems in the early 19th century.
Around the time of the First World War, the United States began to provide reading therapy for war invalids, known as bibliotherapy. Later, the namepoetry therapy became more common, but it also referred to other activities besides reading poetry. The 1930s saw a revival of this activity. For example, psychiatrist Eli Greifer opened a healing poetry gallery in New York called the Remedy Rhyme Gallery, which archived poems for various therapeutic purposes.
In 1959, Greifer, a pioneer of literary therapy, and psychiatrist Jack J. Leedy began experimenting with poetry therapy at a psychiatric clinic in Brooklyn, New York. Leedy continued and diversified his activities, including founding the Poetry Therapy Association in 1969 and editing poetry therapy publications. Other notable contributors to the field include Arlene McCarty Hynes, Arthur Lerner, Morris Morrison and Gil Schloss.
Today, there are several poetry therapy centres in the US and a few universities offer courses in the field. The first doctoral thesis in the field of poetry therapy was published in the United States in 1949. Since then, several doctoral theses have been published showing that applications of poetry therapy are well suited to treating emotional disorders, increasing self-understanding, and changing attitudes, among other things.
Literary therapy in Finland
In Finland, interest in literary therapy began in the 1970s, when the Alppila mental health office in Helsinki started experimenting with poetry therapy methods. Since then, the scope of literary therapy has expanded from clinical treatment to include, for example, the treatment and prevention of various addictions, language development disorders, preventive mental health work and self-help, libraries, educational institutions and various growth groups and hobby circles.
The Finnish Association for Literary Therapy was founded in 1981 with the aim of promoting and publicising literary therapy work. The association publishes a biannual journal, Kirjallisuusterapia magazine, organises training and awareness-raising activities and creates cooperation for those interested in literary therapy. It operates throughout Finland and also in Sweden.
A concise introduction to literary therapy theory
Literacy therapy is not based on a single theory, but rather incorporates features from several theoretical orientations. There are no single doctrines or gurus either, but the counsellor applies and implements literacy therapy in the best possible way for the participants.
Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic views and C. G. Jung's analytical psychology, phenomenological and humanistic psychology have influenced the emergence and development of literary therapy. For example, Freud argued that human fantasies and literary productions are often driven by unconscious and preconscious desires and contradictions. Jung, on the other hand, paid attention to various symbols, which for him were much more than just signs. Jung saw all people as poets and believed that through creativity each of us could develop our own unique system of meaning and world.
Alfred Adler's doctrine of individual psychology and character therapy, among others, have also influenced the development of literary therapy thinking, as has the view of literary therapy as an interactive process or integrative therapy. Adler considered the individual in a social context. According to him, individuals act consciously, orient themselves towards the future and construct stories about their lives. Adler stressed that linguistic symbols also influence relationships.
Where is literacy therapy used?
The field of literacy therapy is broad and diverse. Originally, it was practised mainly in the clinical setting, in mental hospitals, psychiatric institutions and substance abuse treatment facilities, among others. Since then, the scope of literacy therapy has broadened and reading, creative writing and discussion are used in work with all age groups.
Literacy therapy is used for example in the treatment and prevention of various addictions, language development disorders, preventive mental health and self-help, in prisons, libraries, educational institutions, and in various growth groups and hobby circles.
Literacy therapy can benefit anyone who wants to develop their self-awareness and learn to identify and articulate their feelings and motivations.
What does literary therapy aim to achieve?
The aim of literary therapy is transformation, exploring the moods and themes of the text and through this, identifying one's own emotions and motivations. Literary therapy believes that it is easier to approach one's own problems and feelings through written texts than directly. Text and discussion help to identify problems and feelings.
The objectives of literacy therapy can also include
developing self-expression and creativity
increasing self-awareness and raising self-esteem
exploring and examining conflicting emotions
dealing with sensitive issues
getting to know yourself and your own behaviour and thinking patterns
supporting growth and development
strengthening linguistic development
training of perception
structuring experiences
identifying and expressing emotions
peer support and the opportunity to reflect on issues and find solutions to problems with others.
How does literacy therapy work?
The goal of literacy therapy is usually some kind of change, which can be described as a four-step interaction process.
The first step in the process is to identify. Some detail of the text under discussion catches the participant's attention and evokes memories and images. Sometimes the identification is immediate, sometimes it is the result of a group discussion, for example.
In the next stage, the participant will reflect on the feelings, memories and thoughts that the text has evoked in him or her. What are they about? What do they relate to? Where do they come from? What do they mean?
The third step in the process is merging, or juxtaposition. For example, the participant may find that conflicting thoughts and feelings have arisen in his or her mind, which he or she can now juxtapose, compare and examine from different perspectives.
In the fourth stage, the participant applies the emotions and thoughts evoked by the text and the discussion to him/herself. How do I deal with the emotions evoked by the text and the discussion? How does this reaction affect my life? What changes can and do I want to make?
Of course, the steps in the process do not usually follow this pattern, but often overlap and the participant may not even be aware of them. For example, when writing a text, emotions, thoughts and memories are often generated during the writing process.
Who is literary therapy for?
Literary therapy is suitable for anyone who is interested in literature, reading and writing. Literary therapy can help people of all ages to deal with life's challenges. Literary therapy groups offer peer support for dealing with your own feelings and thoughts and help maintain a sense of well-being.
A participant in a literary therapy group does not have to be a talented writer or a literary expert. An open mind and an interest in using literature and writing to increase self-awareness and facilitate change is sufficient.
What does literary therapy do?
In a literacy therapy group, you read, write and discuss in a guided way. A wide range of texts can be used to stimulate discussion and writing, including poems, short stories and novel excerpts, newspaper articles and song lyrics, but also photographs, postcards, videos, films and various objects.
The literary therapy groups of the Word Bearer use the methods of literary therapy and autobiographical writing. In these groups, people read and write different texts and discuss the feelings and ideas they evoke. Writing is supported by a variety of exercises and prompts. The aim may be development, empowerment or finding new perspectives on the challenges of one's life. Often, the groups will dive into their own memories and personal history, looking at past lives, experiences and roles played in their lives, for example. In this way, we learn to understand ourselves and our loved ones better.
A safe and confidential atmosphere is essential for successful literacy therapy interaction. It is always up to the participant to decide whether he or she wants to keep what he or she has written to him or herself or to share it with others. However, sharing is encouraged, and most participants find that the more relaxed they are about the process and the more courageous they are in sharing, the more they get out of it.
There is no need to be afraid of reading your own texts, as they will never be criticised or criticised. All members of the group commit themselves to a common set of principles for the first time, including mutual respect, discretion, confidentiality, constructive interaction and acceptance.
Where can you study literary therapy?
The Finnish Literary Therapy Association has developed a three-tiered study path to become a specialist in literary therapy.
Literary therapy as a tool for personal and professional growth
Literacy Therapy Counsellor Training
Literary therapist training
For more information about the training, pleasevisit the association'swebsite .
Finally
Literature and writing are powerful tools for developing self-esteem and supporting mental well-being.
Literacy therapy offers resources for everyday life, tools for interpersonal communication and tools for dealing with difficult life experiences. Literary therapy sees the whole person, gets under the skin and touches the deepest feelings. It helps to identify and articulate one's own feelings and thoughts and leads to their root causes in a unique way.
Sources
Ihanus, Juhani: Another. Writings on psyche, desire and art. Gaudeamus 1995.
Ihanus, Juhani (ed.): Words that we would treat: therapeutic writing. Duodecim 2009.
McCarty Hynes, Arlene. & Hynes-Berry, Mary: Biblio/Poetry Therapy. The Interactive Process: A Handbook. Third edition. North Star Press 2012.
Mäki, Silja & Linnainmaa, Terhikki (eds.): Caring words: a guide to literary therapy. Duodecim 2008.
Pennebaker, James W. & Smythe, Joshua M.: Opening Up by Writing It Down, Third Edition: How Expressive Writing Improves Health and Eases Emotional Pain. Guilford Press 2016.
Reiter, Sherry et al. Writing Away the Demons: Stories of Creative Coping Through Transformative Writing, North Star Press 2009.