What Is Bibliotherapy?
The definition of bibliotherapy
Merriam-Webster defines bibliotherapy as "the use of reading materials for help in solving personal problems or for psychiatric therapy.” Although you may have never heard of the term before, the idea can be followed back as far as the first libraries in ancient Greece. The term was first used in the early 1900s.
Treatment options
Research has shown that bibliotherapy can have positive results for a variety of mental health concerns. Those who need to be more self-aware, need to boost their self-esteem, are having family-related trials, are grieving, or have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may all benefit from bibliotherapy.
If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.
In clinical psychology, bibliotherapy is most often used in addition to another type of mental health therapy as it can enhance the healing effects of those therapies. Many people who have used bibliotherapy in conjunction with traditional therapy in mental health settings have felt that it adds another level to their healing.
Types of bibliotherapy
Therapeutic bibliotherapy can be used in addition to other types of therapy to strengthen the effects of those therapies and offer a non-traditional yet familiar way of dealing with psychological issues. Some of the types of bibliotherapy include:
Prescriptive bibliotherapy
It is synonymous with the well-known term self-help. Books are suggested to people to help with a specific psychological concern. A self-help book offers directed reading and information to help the reader modify their thought patterns, feelings, and actions so that they can free themselves from those destructive thoughts, feelings, and actions. This type of bibliotherapy is used in a clinical venue or therapeutic setting, such as at hospital and institution libraries. Mental health professionals working in institutions and libraries may develop a planned reading program designed for a specific emotional disturbance or to encourage psychological catharsis.
The Book on Prescription version
It is a cooperative model whereby a health professional, such as a trained psychotherapist, and librarians work together to offer reading books as a healing method to help support patients as part of the treatment plan. This process occurs by the doctor first suggesting or "prescribing" a book, then the patient takes their book "prescription" to the library where they borrow the book. The doctor and library work together to create a list of suggested books to be available to patients for “medical treatment,” similar to how a pharmacy has medications available for patients. In some cases, the reader realizes a particular character may relate to their personal identification and help encourage a sense of connection and rational insight into their experiences and healing process while providing useful coping mechanisms. The solution suggested in the book may be something the patient hadn’t considered and open discussion in their next session.
Creative bibliotherapy
It is an effective treatment process that involves having a meeting of a group of patients with similar issues along with a qualified facilitator. Stories, graphic novels, poems, and fiction are read to the group, or the group read the books selected aloud together. After the reading, a discussion ensues so that the patients can be involved in an informative conversation. During this time, the patients can hear other opinions and open up to many possibilities that the discussions offer. It is a great time for social interaction.
Developmental bibliotherapy
It is used in educational venues and youth services facilities and helps support students with characteristic childhood and adolescent issues, such as puberty, bodily tasks, mental health concerns and general development. Parents can also use bibliotherapy to assist in explaining these developmental stages at home. Young people may be recommended a planned reading program designed with children’s literature, while teens and adolescents may use young adult library services. American libraries often offer online dictionary services where therapists and patients can research specific topics. Information science specialists may help the process if a specific topic is of interest. In some cases, patients may find libraries unlimited in their ability to offer novel books and ideas for different topic concerns.
Professionals
There are trained professionals to assist people with bibliotherapy. The International Federation of Biblio/Poetry Therapy (IFBPT) has established standards for these professionals to practice bibliotherapy. The title is certified poetry therapist, which encompasses three phases of therapy including bibliotherapy, poetry therapy, and journal therapy. Certifications include:
Certified Applied Poetry Facilitator (CAPF)
BS or BA with some psychology experience. They are not certified psychology or psychiatry professionals but are trained to identify individuals who may be in distress and would need a referral to a mental health facilitator. They usually work in a library or educational setting. They can work in a mental health setting if they are supervised by a mental health professional.
Certified Poetry Therapist (CPT)/Registered Poetry Therapist (RPT)
This certification entails post-graduate mental health coursework. They can work with individuals with mental health issues independently. Doctors can also get this type of certification.
How to find a bibliotherapist
You may look online for bibliotherapy near you. Since it is a unique, non-traditional type of counseling or therapy, it may take some searching to find someone who is a trained bibliotherapist. A great place to start your search for a bibliotherapist is BetterHelp, which may connect you with many therapists who specialize in bibliotherapy. By filling out a questionnaire about yourself and the type of counseling you would like, BetterHelp is able to match you with a therapist that meets your needs.
Online therapy is a great alternative if travel, location, convenience, or flexible hours are concerns you have about beginning therapy. Beyond that, meta-analysis research has found that online therapy can be just as effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions as its in-person counterpart, and offer the same level of progress and results in many instances.
Takeaway
What are the four steps of bibliotherapy?
Bibliotherapy is a type of psychotherapeutic technique featuring different stages that allow patients to process and learn to cope with challenging mental health issues through books and other forms of literature. There are four steps to approaching bibliotherapy:
- Identification—The client identifies with the struggles and goals of a character in the book.
- Catharsis—The client experiences the character’s emotions and psychological challenges from outside of the story, creating a feeling of security when exposed to the potentially distressing emotions.
- Insight—The client identifies the similarities between characters or circumstances outlined in the story with their own experiences. During this time, the client might choose to utilize ideas from the book in their own life.
- Universalization—In this step, the client understands they’re not isolated in their experiences and that others have had similar struggles but found ways to cope with them.
Is bibliotherapy an evidence-based practice?
Research on bibliotherapy is ongoing, but many studies suggest it is an effective method for treating various mental disorders as a supplement to other psychotherapy techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in people of all ages.
For example, one systematic review, including a bioethical meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Public Health, reported that individuals using bibliotherapy experienced a “re-signification of their own activities through a new outlook of their moral horizon” while under quarantine during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Who created bibliotherapy?
The origins of bibliotherapy can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, who used literature as a form of therapy. Later, in the early 19th century, doctors prescribed books for healing in several capacities, including during World War I, to help soldiers cope with trauma. In the 20th century, several names would become associated with the practice of bibliotherapy. Some sources credit Samuel McChord Crothers with coining the term around 1916. In the 1950s, Carolyn Shrodes authored “The Conscious Reader,” in which she theorized that characters in literature can be influential primarily to readers who identify with them. Later, in the late 1960s, Rhea Rubin published a more detailed model for bibliotherapy.
What is catharsis in bibliotherapy?
Catharsis in bibliotherapy refers to the purging of “pent-up” emotions that can occur when individuals read or engage with literature that resonates with their own experiences or struggles. By reading about characters facing similar challenges, individuals involved in bibliotherapy may find validation, solace, and a sense of connection, leading to a cathartic release of emotions followed by a sense of relief. Bibliotherapeutic catharsis can help individuals gain insight into their experiences and process complex and challenging emotions in a safe and supportive way.
What is bibliotherapy often practiced with?
Bibliotherapy is often practiced as a supplementary treatment to more conventional methods like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). In bibliotherapy, one can read books, magazines, blogs, poetry, quotes, and other forms of literature in an individual or group setting. There are different types of bibliotherapy that can be tailored to meet an individual’s needs and preferences, including:
- Developmental bibliotherapy
Typically used in educational environments to support personal growth and development in children and adolescents. Caregivers can also use this type of bibliotherapy to educate about issues relevant to children and teens, such as bullying, puberty, or risky behaviors.
- Therapeutic bibliotherapy
Used in a clinical setting in combination with other methods to help patients manage mental health issues.
- Creative bibliotherapy
Involves using literature and writing as a means of self-expression and exploration. Clients might be encouraged to read and discuss different types of literature, like poetry or fiction, in a group setting.
- Prescriptive bibliotherapy
The therapist recommends specific books or reading materials to a client based on their individual needs, challenges, or goals. The material is typically chosen to address particular issues or concerns the client is facing.
- Interactive bibliotherapy
Involves engaging with literature in an interactive, participatory way through group discussions, role-playing, or creative activities associated with the material.
- Symbolic bibliotherapy
Uses metaphors, symbols, and imagery in literature to help clients explore and understand their own experiences and emotions.
Can I read books in place of therapy?
There are many ways reading books can support mental health; however, it shouldn’t act as a substitute for professional treatment.
Are self-help books as good as therapy?
While self-help books can be a helpful supplement to treatment, they have several limitations and should not be used as a substitute. For example, self-help books typically provide generalized information about mental health intervention strategies, while a therapist can develop a treatment plan tailored to the individual’s needs. Self-help books cannot assess, diagnose, and provide guidance as the patient progresses through treatment.
Individual therapy provides a safe and supportive environment free of triggers in which patients can discuss traumatic experiences. Additionally, the relationship between patient and therapist is a significant component of successful treatment that one won’t have with a self-help book.
What are the limitations of the bibliotherapy method of counseling?
Although it is effective in many cases, bibliotherapy does have a few limitations:
- Materials on particular topics may be limited or unavailable
- It may not be effective for individuals who have difficulty reading or don’t enjoy it
- It may not address individualized needs and concerns as effectively as traditional therapy
- Individuals may misinterpret or misapply the messages they take from the materials
- Patients might not identify with the characters in the book or create their own narrative around the materials that reinforces negative perceptions
- Facilitators might not have appropriate knowledge about the literature
- Some patients may feel triggered by certain parts or characters in the book while reading outside of therapy without the presence of their therapist to assist
Is writing therapy a thing?
Yes, writing therapy, also known as expressive writing or journal therapy, is a form of therapy involving using writing as a therapeutic tool for reflection, self-expression, and healing. It’s often used as a supplement along with other therapeutic methods to help individuals explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, process difficult emotions, gain self-insight, and promote personal growth and healing.
Therapeutic writing can take many forms, including journaling, letter writing, blogging, creative writing, poetry, and storytelling. It is often more structured than journal writing and is typically guided by a licensed mental health professional who might “assign” specific exercises and prompts for patients to write about. It is a highly individualized process in which patients analyze their thoughts and feelings to make sense of their experiences, release stored emotions, and gain a new perspective on their challenges. Writing therapy can be approached in individual treatment or facilitated in a group setting.
Can therapists read you?
Therapists don’t typically read their patients in the sense of evaluating or judging them; instead, they are trained to recognize verbal and non-verbal cues. Therapists often use active listening to identify the intent, feeling, and small details within the things their patients say they may not even be aware of themselves. Therapists can also use active listening to discern information from an individual’s pace, tone, and volume.
Non-verbal communication provides therapists with information about a patient’s thoughts and feelings through the body. Examples include:
- Posture
- Facial expressions
- Gestures like shrugging, pointing, or head nodding or shaking
- Eye contact
- Adjusting spatial proximity to be nearer to or farther from the therapist
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