Graduation Year
2026
Graduation Month
May
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
School or Department
Psychology
Major
Psychology
Faculty Mentor Department
English
Faculty Mentor
Kelly Schirmann
Keywords
poetry, psychology, history, UCLA, gender, Stoller
Subject Categories
Clinical Psychology | Counseling Psychology | Counselor Education | Creative Writing | Personality and Social Contexts | Poetry | Psychology | School Psychology | Theory and Philosophy
Abstract
The poetry collection Showpony focuses on the real-life experiences of a woman in her twenties during the 1970s, who is treated by psychiatrist Dr. Robert J. Stoller at UCLA in a desperate attempt to make her normal. Mrs. G struggles with homicidal and suicidal thoughts, psychosis, as well as her homosexuality and transgender identity. Showpony examines the ways in which psychology has pathologized these experiences and the ramifications for patients, particularly those who have been publicly showcased as examples of their conditions used to train future students. The collection critiques the exploitation of patients by psychiatrists and psychologists, highlighting unethical treatments in the field. Through cut-up transcripts of therapy sessions, essays, and news articles, the collection is joined with poetic commentary and questioning. While Showpony addresses themes of mental illness and psychological distress, it resonates with anyone—regardless of their familiarity with psychology—due to the relatability of Mrs. G’s desperate quest for genuine help, for both her and her boys. By centering on her conflict between the desire for masculinity and the need for femininity, readers are invited to reflect on their own journeys of self-exploration, expression, and acceptance in a world that often stamps out differences, even in spaces designed to cultivate self-understanding. Ultimately, Showpony asks: what needs to be fixed?
Honors College Research Project
1
GLI Capstone Project
no
Recommended Citation
Ellington, George Theodore, "Showpony" (2026). Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts. 579.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/utpp/579
Included in
Clinical Psychology Commons, Counseling Psychology Commons, Counselor Education Commons, Personality and Social Contexts Commons, Poetry Commons, School Psychology Commons, Theory and Philosophy Commons
© Copyright 2026 George Theodore Ellington