I was once naive enough to write "I don't write poetry for therapy" (Remember Rick?)
Boy, was I wrong.

Anyway:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/2010/may/30/sean-haldane-poet-neuroscientist

interesting thoughts he has, but in my case, if writing poetry is therapy, i have to say it's not very successful therapy! tom

I said to my twenty three year old daughter recently
that I might try a get a collection of poems toigether
to see if they are publishable.

Her response was:

'Who wants to read your therapy!

Out of the mouths of babes

Mel

Poets, writers, painters, musicians - people who can combine therapy with creativity and sometimes make a living at it!

Imo, poetry is therapy to the extent that I write when I'm upset, frustrated, depressed, or having strong feelings about something.  I have to agree with Tom, though that poetry is not successful therapy in the sense that we solve problems or our lives become better just because we wrote a poem or two.  In my world, much of the time, poetry is an expression of something deeper.

Didn't read your link, Lavonne, but I will.  Just had to comment here.  Right up my alley.

cheryl

Haven't read the link yet either, but wanted to say that more often than not my recent sessions are like spending time with a therapist who's busy text-messaging somebody I've never met -- and it's not in reference to my angst!