National Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy

Summary of Training Requirements

How Do I Become Trained in Poetry Therapy?
About the CAPF, CPT and PTR
Personal Qualifications
Training for Certification in Poetry Therapy
Training for Registration in Poetry Therapy
Required Background Knowledge
Elements of Training
Training Institutes
Educational Resources
For More Information (Guide to Training Requirements)

HOW DO I BECOME TRAINED IN POETRY THERAPY?

The National Association for Poetry Therapy encourages the professional growth of the field and persons in it by facilitating training and encouraging pursuit of the designations of Certified Applied Poetry Facilitator (CAPF), Certified Poetry Therapist (CPT) and Registered Poetry Therapist (PTR). These designations are awarded by the Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy, an independent credentialing organization, to fully qualified applicants who have duly applied and been approved by the Credentials Committee of the Federation.

As of January 1, 2007, the National Federation has issued its new Guide to Training Requirements. The guide is available as an electronic PDF file for $20, or may be ordered in hardcopy print form for $30. See our Training Guide page for more details.

The requirements for certification summarized here are effective as of January 1, 2007. Those who began training before that date are entitled to complete their training under the requirements which were in effect when they submitted their letter of intent and training plan to the NAPT Certification Committee. Those who submit letters of intent after January 1, 2007 must complete their training under these requirements.

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ABOUT THE CAPF, CPT AND PTR
The terms poetry therapy, applied poetry facilitation, journal therapy, bibliotherapy, biblio/poetry therapy, and poetry/journal therapy are all intended to reflect the interactive use of literature and/or writing to promote growth and healing. When the umbrella term “"poetry therapy"” is used herein, it is intended to encompass all of the modalities above.

Thousands of professionals use poetry, journals, and other forms of literature to foster personal growth and help achieve therapeutic goals.

A certified poetry therapist (CPT) and registered poetry therapist (PTR) are licensed professionals who have extensive mental health training and may work independently with emotionally troubled populations. The CPT and PTR are qualified to work with clients in clinics, hospitals, and similar institutions, as well as with mentally healthy populations. CPTs and PTRs also work with individuals having adjustment problems brought about by developmental or life crises or disabilities. The PTR completes an advanced level of training and fieldwork, commensurate with the highest levels of clinical practice.

Although some trainees may undertake CPT or PTR training while enrolled in a clinical graduate program and/or completing post-graduate requirements for licensure, these designations are conferred only upon those who have completed graduate work in a mental health field or as an MD and have attained licensure. A credentials candidate who completes CPT or PTR requirements prior to licensure will be awarded the CAPF until s/he submits proof of licensure to the chair of the Credentials Committee.

A certified applied poetry facilitator brings to training a unique background, blending love and knowledge of literature and writing with an understanding of basic psychology and group dynamics. Although the CAPF’s training is geared to working with healthy populations, the CAPF must be able to recognize the difference between “normalcy” and pathology, and must be able to determine when a distressed individual needs to be referred to a mental health professional.

The CAPF is trained to facilitate groups and work with individuals in developmental settings such as schools, libraries, recreational facilities and similar growth and development oriented organizations. The CAPF may also work in a mental health setting under the supervision of a qualified mental health professional.

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PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Essential personal qualifications for working in the field of poetry therapy include self-understanding, emotional stability, patience, tact, flexibility, good judgment, respect for boundaries, and a commitment to life-long learning. As a potential trainee, you are expected to have sufficiently worked through your own issues in counseling or psychotherapy prior to enrollment in the training program. The process of training will likely bring up personal issues that may be best served by a counseling relationship. Your mentor/supervisor (M/S) may, at his or her discretion, refer you into counseling, support groups or other adjunctive therapies. It is an ethical violation for a mentor/supervisor to provide counseling or psychotherapy (including poetry therapy) for a trainee.

Unlike an art, music or dance therapy trainee, a poetry therapy trainee is not expected to be proficient in the art form of writing. Basic literacy, grammar, composition, and reading comprehension skills are required and will be assessed as part of the application process.

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TRAINING FOR CERTIFICATION IN POETRY THERAPY

Bachelor's degree or higher for CAPF. For CPT, master’s degree or higher in a mental health field or as an M.D., plus licensure. For either credential, core competencies in psychology, literature, and professional practice

Didactic study of poetry therapy	200 hours
Facilitating group or individual sessions of poetry therapy	120 hours
Supervision	60 hours
Peer experience in poetry therapy	60 hours
TOTAL	440 hours

Note: It is necessary that the bachelor’s degree be earned prior to the start of the CAPF program. The Credentials Committee may permit CAPF training to commence for people who have completed certain professional training programs that result in licensure without a 4-year college degree (e.g. R.N.), taking into consideration years and type of work experience and continuing education. Candidates for licensure in a mental health field may complete all requirements for the CPT and be awarded the CAPF until licensure is conferred.

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TRAINING FOR REGISTRATION IN POETRY THERAPY

Master's degree or higher in a mental health field or as an M.D., appropriate licensure, and core competencies in psychology, literature, and professional practice

Didactic study of poetry therapy	250 hours
Facilitating group, individual, or family sessions of poetry therapy	300 hours
Supervision	100 hours
Peer experience in poetry therapy	60 hours
Institutional experience	165 hours*
Other meritorious learning	100 hours
TOTAL	975 hours

* Requirement is waived for applicants with licensure in a mental health field or as an MD who can provide documentation that they have completed this requirement.

Note: Appropriate licensure for the discipline (e.g. counseling, social work, psychology) must be attained before the PTR is granted. Candidates for licensure may complete all requirements for the PTR and be awarded the CAPF until licensure is earned.

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REQUIRED BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE

Core Competencies
Core competencies are those areas of knowledge that a poetry therapy training applicant has completed or has committed to attain during the course of training. The Credentials Committee will assess your college transcripts to determine if some or all core competencies have been met. A core competency consists of a three-credit college course. If this is not available during your training period, you may engage in mentor/supervisor-directed independent study consisting of reading a minimum of three relevant texts or a 30-hour minimum private course of study, plus submitting response papers documenting learning in the area studied and its relevance for poetry therapy practice. Your plan for completing core competencies must be approved by your mentor/supervisor. Reading or coursework that you complete to meet a core competency requirement cannot be counted toward fulfilling the didactic portion of your training.

Core Competencies in Psychology:
CAPFs, CPTs and PTRs must demonstrate knowledge in areas of psychology. Knowledge is demonstrated by successful completion of the following courses or approved equivalents:

Introductory Psychology
Human Development Across the Lifespan
Group Process
Facilitation Skills
Abnormal Psychology

Core Competencies in Literature:
CAPFs, CPTs and PTRs must demonstrate knowledge in areas of literature. The following courses or approved equivalents are required:

Creative Writing
Poetic Devices
Contemporary/Multi-Cultural Poetry
Literature of Various Genres
Memoir/Narrative/Therapeutic Storytelling

Professional Practice:
CAPFs, CPTs and PTRs must demonstrate knowledge in areas of professional practice. The following course or approved equivalent is required:

Ethics and Records Management (must be taken in the first 6 months of training)

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ELEMENTS OF TRAINING
You will find a detailed description of the four elements of training (didactic, peer, facilitation, supervision) here.

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TRAINING INSTITUTES
For programs that guide you through the CPT/RPT training process, visit Choosing a Mentor/Supervisor.

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EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
For a downloadable list of educational resources in poetry and healing, as well as more educational opportunities, please visit our Educational Resources page.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION
The National Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy Guide to Training Requirements is a must-have book if you are considering becoming a credentialed poetry therapist or applied poetry facilitator. This guide spells out the fundamental components of the training program for certified applied poetry facilitators and certified or registered poetry therapists. It includes templates for the initial training plan and the final application. In addition, the guidebook provides samples of the required documentation in the training process, a roster of approved mentor/supervisors, a listing of educational opportunities, and an essential bibliography for the poetry therapy scholar.

The Training Guide is available in both electronic (PDF) and hardcopy formats. An electronic version of the Training Guide is available for $20 and a printed copy is available for $30.00, which includes Priority Mail postage. International orders, add $10. Payment must be received before Training Guide will be mailed. See our Training Guide page for more details.

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