Citation

Sommer CA, Cox JA. J. Poetry Ther. 2006; 19(1): 3-16.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/08893670600565587

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The use of stories as a therapeutic tool is well established in the mental health field. Several theoretical approaches to counseling, for example, psychoanalytic or narrative, use stories in creative ways to help individuals explore personal experience and make meaning. The authors investigate how trauma counselors can use stories in supervision to help diminish the effects of vicarious traumatization. This study is a basic interpretive analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted with nine sexual violence counselors. The investigation focused on elements of stories identified by the participants as well as interpretive applications arrived at by the researcher. The authors conclude with suggestions for using stories in supervision including a discussion of a fairy tale that highlights the participants’ experiences.