Poetry as a Tool for Wellness Facilitator’s Manual

Poetry and poem-making are compelling and effective tools in the journey toward wholeness. Poetry as a Tool for Wellness (PTW) is based on 20 years of groundbreaking work integrating poetry and poem-making into mental health and wellness programs. These skills-based sessions offer participants a safe and creative circle in which to explore themes vital to wellbeing. This manual offers step-by-step guidance and 8 weeks of themed scripts to prepare facilitators to: *Learn how to foster a safe and creative circle in which to explore themes vital to wellbeing. *Get the exact steps needed to offer Poetic Medicine to your community... with confidence and without the overwhelm! Themes Explored: 1. Poetry as a Tool for Wellness 2. Listening to Self and Others 3. Understanding, Self-Compassion, and Empathy 4. Making It Real with Healthy Choices 5. Overcoming Obstacles, Generating Forgiveness 6. Riding the Waves of Change: Creating Hope and Transformation 7. Moment-to-Moment: Being in Gratitude 8. Practicing Self-Care An appendix to the manual called "Going Further" provides additional quotes and poems for each of the eight sessions along with the framework for you to create new sessions.