Writing is medicine. It’s an appropriate antidote to injury. It is an appropriate companion to any difficult change.
– Julia Cameron
What is poetry therapy?
Poetry Therapy is the intentional use of poetry, spoken word, and other forms of creative expression to foster emotional well-being, self-discovery, and deeper communication. It’s not about writing perfect verses or analyzing literature. Instead, it’s about using poetic language as a doorway into our inner worlds — to process emotions, explore identity, and make meaning in ways that go beyond everyday conversation.
In this context, poetry becomes a gentle but powerful tool. Through reading, writing, and even performing poetry, we engage both language and the body. We listen more closely — not just to words, but to tone, rhythm, and silence. This rich, embodied experience makes poetry a surprisingly natural companion for anyone on a language learning journey.
Whether you’re learning Spanish as a second language or navigating life between multiple cultures and languages, Poetry Therapy offers a unique space to connect your voice with your feelings, your memories, and your evolving sense of self.
Benefits for language learning
Language is more than grammar and vocabulary — it’s how we express who we are. Poetry Therapy embraces this by creating a space where emotion, creativity, and linguistic exploration meet. Here’s how it supports language learners:
• Emotional connection boosts retention: Engaging with emotionally resonant content helps anchor new words and expressions in long-term memory.
• Freedom to play with language: Poetry invites experimentation. There’s no “right” answer — only the freedom to explore metaphors, rhythms, and imagery, even with a limited vocabulary.
• Increased confidence and fluency: Sharing and performing poetry in a supportive setting encourages speaking up, taking risks, and feeling heard — all essential for fluency.
• Deep cultural insight: Exploring poems from different Spanish-speaking cultures provides a window into diverse ways of seeing the world — and yourself within it.
• Personal growth: Beyond the linguistic gains, Poetry Therapy fosters self-awareness, empathy, and resilience — especially valuable for expats, migrants, and those navigating identity through more than one language.
Whether you’re just starting with Spanish or already fluent, poetry opens a fresh, emotionally-rich pathway to deepen your relationship with the language.
What happens during the sessions
Poetry Therapy sessions are designed to be inclusive, non-judgmental, and creatively nourishing. You don’t need to be a “poet” — just open to exploring.
Here’s what a typical session might include:
• Warm-up with words: We might begin with a simple writing prompt or a mindfulness exercise that helps you land in the moment and attune to language with all your senses.
• Reading and reflection: Together, we read a poem — often bilingual or from the Spanish-speaking world — and discuss what it evokes. No literary analysis needed, just honest reactions.
• Creative writing: You’ll be invited to respond with your own writing. It could be a poem, a journal entry, a letter — whatever feels right. Prompts are optional and flexible.
• Sharing and listening: In small groups or pairs, there’s time to read aloud (only if you wish), give gentle feedback, and witness each other’s voice with care and respect.
• Embodied language: Some sessions may include movement, voice work, or visual arts to reconnect words with breath, gesture, and the body — especially powerful for shy speakers or those healing from language-based trauma.
Sessions can be held online or in person, in English, Spanish, or a mix — allowing you to express yourself fully across languages.
Would you like to experience what poetry can unlock in your language journey?
Explore upcoming events/workshops or get in touch to learn more.