1st Edition

Literature and Therapy A Systemic View

By Liz Burns Copyright 2009
    200 Pages
    by Routledge

    200 Pages
    by Routledge

    Literature and Therapy: A Systemic View is an invitation to the world of literature, drawing us into the creative and imaginative spaces which lie between readers and their choice of novels, plays and poems. In this world, the fundamental importance of emotion and intuition is recognised, as is the power of literature to promote transformations of meaning in every day life and in therapeutic practice. Its potential to contribute depth and diversity to therapists' personal/professional development is explored via literary reflections and qualitative research findings. The author defines the terms literature and therapy broadly, emphasising their mutual relevance in contemporary and historical contexts, acknowledging the richness of literary resources and signposting accessible routes to their use in clinical practice. A systemic view, highlighting relationships, calls to the reader to explore both therapy and literature with fresh eyes, newly motivated thoughts and a lightening heart.

    Introduction -- Starting Out -- Starting out with literature -- Practising with literature -- Living with metaphor -- Travelling On -- Becoming a therapist: putting theory into practice and practice into theory -- Enquiry: a valuable tool for mountaineers -- Reading and writing -- Are We Nearly There? -- Destinations and endings -- List of literary works mentioned in the text and not included in the references -- Literary texts brought by research participants -- Literary resources and how to find them -- Exercises

    Biography

    Burns, Liz