Abstract
Various authors have recognized the significance of grief among clients who are infertile. Poetry therapy offers unique opportunities for clients to crystallize and communicate their thoughts and feelings about this painful issue. Examples of poetry used to illustrate the various stages of grieving reflect the author's personal experience of infertility.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barney, A. (1992). Infertility and crisis: Self-discovery and healing through poetry writing. Journal of Poetry Therapy, 5, 219–226.
Beck, A. T. (1967). Depression: Clinical, experimental, and theoretical aspects. New York: Harper & Row.
Bruscia, K. (1988). Standards for clinical assessment in the arts therapies. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 15, 5–10.
Burke, M. L., Hainsworth, M.A., Eakes, G.G., & Lindgren, C. L. (1992). Current knowledge and research on chronic sorrow: A foundation for inquiry. Death Studies, 16, 231–245.
Butler, R. R., & Koraleski, S. (1990). Infertility: A crisis with no resolution. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 12, 151–163.
Chance, S. (1988). Loss and resolution. Journal of Poetry Therapy, 2, 93–98.
Conway, P., & Valentine, D. (1988). Reproductive losses and grieving. Journal of Social Work and Human Sexuality, 6, 43–64.
Daniluk, J. C. (1991). Strategies for counseling infertile couples. Journal of Counseling and Develop-ment, 69, 317–320.
Edelman, R. J., & Connolly, K. J. (1986). Psychological aspects of infertility. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 59, 209–219.
Forrest, L., & Gilbert, M. S. (1992). Infertility: An unanticipated and prolonged life crisis. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 14, 42–58.
Frias, A., & Wilson, S. (1985). When biological childlessness is inevitable. Medical Aspects of Human Sexuality, 19, 43–51.
Gladding, S. T. (1985). Counseling and the creative arts. Counseling and Human Development, 18, 1–12.
Harkness, C. (1992). The infertility book: A comprehensive medical and emotional guide (2 nd ed.). Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts.
Heninger, O. E. (1987). Poetry generated by stillbirth and livebirth: Transgenerational sharing of grief and joy. Journal of Poetry Therapy, 1, 14–22.
Henry, G. T. (1993). A permit to grieve. Journal of Poetry Therapy, 7, 45–49.
Hodges, D. (1993). For every season:::Art and poetry therapy with terminally ill patients. Journal of Poetry Therapy, 7, 21–43.
Hynes, A. M. (1988). Some considerations concerning assessment in poetry therapy and interactive bibliotherapy. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 15, 55–62.
Katchadourian, H. A. (1989). Fundamentals of human sexuality (5 th ed.). Fort Worth, TX: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston, Inc.
Kikendall, K. A. (1994). Self-discrepancy as an important factor in addressing women's emotional reactions to infertility. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 25, 214–220.
Mahlstedt, P. P., & Johnson, P. T. (1988). Support to persons experiencing infertility: Family and friends can help. Journal of Social Work and Human Sexuality, 6, 65–71.
Matthews, A. M., & Matthews, R. (1986). Beyond the mechanics of infertility: Perspectives on the social psychology of infertility and involuntary childlessness. Family Relations, 35, 479–487.
Mazza, N. (1993). Poetry therapy: Toward a research agenda for the 1990s. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 20, 51–59.
Mazza, N. (1999). Poetry therapy: Interface of the arts and psychology. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
McEwan, K. L., Costello, C. G., & Taylor, P. J. (1987). Adjustment to infertility. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 96, 108–116.
Mitchard, J. (1985). Mother less child: The love story of a family. New York: W. W. Norton & Co.
Sewell, M. (Ed.). (1991). Cries of the spirit: A celebration of women's spirituality. Boston: Beacon Press.
Sewell, M. (Ed.). (1996). Claiming the spirit within: A sourcebook of women's poetry. Boston: Beacon Press.
Williams, L., Bischoff, R., & Ludes, J. (1992). A biopsychosocial model for treating infertility. Con-temporary Family Therapy, 14, 309–322.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Blake, M.E. Poetry Therapy and Infertility Counseling. Journal of Poetry Therapy 15, 195–206 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020769021446
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020769021446