For the past 30 years, NAPT members have forged a community of healers and lovers of words and language. We are psychotherapists, counselors, psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists. We are poets, journal keepers, storytellers, and songwriters. We are teachers, librarians, adult educators, and university professors. We are doctors, nurses, occupational/ recreational therapists; ministers, pastoral counselors, and spiritual directors. We are artists, dancers, dramatists, musicians, and writers.

We work in many settings where people deal with personal and communal pain and the search for growth. As poetry therapists, we use all forms of literature and the language arts, and we are united by our love of words, and our passion for enhancing the lives of others and ourselves.

We are very glad to know of your interest. Please browse and come back often to see what's new. And be sure to bookmark this site for your convenience in visiting again!

Announcing NAPT's Teleseminar Series
The Poetry Therapy Equation: Why It All Adds Up
with Sherry Reiter, December 8, 2011 at 8 p.m. EST

Yes, we all know that poetry is a healing tool. But why? Educator and therapist, Sherry Reiter, co-author of Writing Away the Demons, flunked high school math, but she knows the way poetry adds to heart, mind and soul and multiplies the way that people can grow and heal. This workshop examines some of the theories about how/why poetry therapy works. And yes, we take a look at brain biology as well. Several sensational poems are used to illustrate. Dr. Sherry Reiter, PhD, LCSW, is a Registered Poetry Therapist/Mentor, and past President of NAPT and the NFBPT. She is recipient of the Morris Morrison Award in Education and was voted Best Instructor of the Year in 2009 at Touro College.

Teleseminar cost: Non-members fee $20.00, or free with NAPT membership. Current rate: $125 (With print copy of Journal of Poetry Therapy: $135) (Contact Nessa McCasey, Membership VP/Administrator (NAPTNessa@gmail.com) for information on becoming a member of NAPT or for details about the teleseminar.)

Sherry Reiter Teleseminar Options

Sherry Reiter Teleseminar Only $20.00 NAPT Membership Regular $125.00 NAPT Membership Regular w Print JPT $135.00 Student/Retired Membership $80.00 Student/Retired Membership w Print JPT $90.00 Institutional Membership $250.00

If you are an existing NAPT Member, feel free to email Nessa McCasey for your registration options.

Past Teleseminars:
Kim Rosen: Embodiment of Poetry Through Individual Voice

Announcing NAPT's 2012 Conference
"Writing the Winds of Change"
April 26-29, 2012
Cenacle Conference and Retreat Center, Chicago IL

Join us in Chicago for workshops, lectures, conversations, networking, music & dance, and poetry performances.

Discover how to use words in a variety of settings for growth and healing. Teachers, poets, counselors, students, lovers of words: Consider the organization's storied history and join together to plan our future. 

More information >

A Message to Our Members

We are committed to providing you the service you deserve as a member of the National Association for Poetry Therapy (NAPT). We appreciate you and want to encourage you to communicate with us! We will return messages left on our toll-free message line at 1-888-498-1843 within 48 hours except on holidays and weekends. For more timely assistance, please contact our Administrator via e-mail at contact@poetrytherapy.org.

Thank you for being a member of NAPT. We look forward to serving you this membership year.

Has your contact information changed? If so, please send all changes of address, phone, e-mail, etc., to our Administrator at contact@poetrytherapy.org. You may also mail your changes to: 3365 Wildridge Dr. NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525.