From trauma to thauma

Biblio/poetry therapy as a source of wonder, empathy, and resilience

Abstract

This article highlights some of the historical roots and developments of biblio/poetry therapy. It presents a brief conceptual history of trauma, thauma, and empathy in relation to the therapeutic use of words. The possibilities of biblio/poetry therapy in the empathic-dialogic processing of personal experiences and interpretations of the human situation are assessed. The goals of biblio/poetry therapy are seen as promoting transformative leaps, peaceful storytelling, coping, and resilience through the interactive exchange of creative, exploratory, and emotionally touching words. The future(s) of biblio/poetry therapy, including in community and cultural contexts, are also considered.