Using phenomenology in clinical social work: A poetic pilgrimage

This article demonstrates how phenomenological theory from sociology can be applied to clinical social work practice through the use of poetic self-analysis. Areas on phenomenological theory that provide support for the use of poetry in clinical social work are identified and described. Examples of the use of poetic self-analysis are presented. The authors, citing research from phenomenologica theory, raise some questions with respect to the limitations of traditional clinical settings and processes. The legitimacy of some new directions in clinical social work based upon phenomenological theory are also presented.