Clinical Graphology: An Interpretive Manual for Mental Health Practitioners [Hardcover]

Clinical Graphology: An Interpretive Manual for Mental Health Practitioners is an incredibly well written, insightful and useful guide for clinicians that teaches them how to apply the technique of graphology to psychotherapy when working with clients. Poizner’s expertise in this area is evident when you read this descriptive manual - which takes you through the many considerations when using graphology clinically.

This book is full of useful information about how to understand and interpret handwriting, by providing the basic interpretations and meanings associated with different types of handwriting. The assessment form that is provided gives an overview of the numerous graphic features to assess when interpreting handwriting, summarizing the most important graphic markers for therapists to review in one easy form.

Reading Poizner's book, (and particularly her research in this area) was engaging, and it made me want to learn more about this undervalued clinical skill in North America. An appendix at the back of the book demonstrates the use of graphology with a client, showing the useful insights that can emerge when analyzing a client's handwriting. This example helped me understand the deeply meaningful insights that graphology can bring into working with clients when using this technique.

After reading this book, I am interested in learning more about how to enhance my skill of graphology to integrate this technique into my own practice. This is an excellent and thorough introduction to graphology which I would highly recommend to those looking to expand their clinical skills.

By: Allisa Scott, H.B.A., M.A., M.S.W., R.S.W.

Annette Poizner, MSSW, Ed.D., RSW, has published a textbook for mental health professionals that deserves to be on the Recommended Reading List of every graphologist and psychologist. Undoubtedly, Clinical Graphology, An Interpretive Manual for Mental Health Practitioners, will contribute to the ongoing efforts of professional handwriting analysts to see graphology viewed as a serious practice.

Using a style and syntax that mental health professionals will be able to relate to, Annette explains what gestalt graphology is and how it can be used as a significant tool in their practice.

Some graphologists will take issue with the statement, “Graphology cannot be considered an assessment tool, since it lacks the statistical support to merit such use.” But, having said that, Annette goes on to explain why graphology can be considered a therapeutic tool, in part because the client participates in the discussion of his or her handwriting and learns what it means in terms of his personality and behavior.

She also proposes that graphology be used along with other assessment methods, and shares that, with her own clients, she requests projective drawings, a handwritten essay, and the client’s 10 earliest memories. These can be done along with other standard personality measures.
Having laid the groundwork, Annette moves into the Anatomy of the Page, calling on Pulver’s interpretation of space, followed by the Anatomy of the Stroke. Graphologists will recognize the names of many important early researchers, including Crepieux-Jamin, Roman, and Victor throughout the text.

Using signatures of well-known people, both famous and infamous, the basic principles of analysis are introduced, along with important information on how to interpret and synthesize graphological findings. A “Graphology Assessment Form” organizes into categories many aspects of handwriting that need to be considered for the analysis, and will be helpful in assisting the novice know what to look for. Appendix A provides greater detail for interpretation, and Appendix B demonstrates the actual analysis process, step by step.
The information in Clinical Graphology is not new to gestalt graphologists, but it is presented in a way that will promote greater acceptance with psychologists, whose approval we have courted for at least fifty years. Annette is a longtime certified member of AHAF.
Sheila Lowe
President, American Handwriting Analysis Foundation