What is Bibliotherapy? How to Apply?

February 29, 2024 Abdullah Arif

Bibliotherapy is a therapy method that uses written texts to support people’s mental health and emotional well-being. Books, written texts and stories are used throughout therapy to solve personal problems, provide emotional relief and raise awareness.

In the bibliotherapy phase, the therapist recommends a work to the client that is related to the client’s problems. The client must read this work until the next session. Because in the next session, the client and the therapist discuss the coping methods of the characters in the story. With this method, the client realizes that others have similar problems and that there are solutions to these problems.

Table of Contents

History of Bibliotherapy Technique

Bibliotherapy was first used in Ancient Greece. So much so that “The place where the human soul is healed.” The sentence was written on the door of the Ancient Thebes Library. So, thousands of years ago, human beings realized the healing power of books and started using this technique.

Bibliotherapy has been used throughout the past centuries, but it was not until World War I that it began to be widely used. During the war, the American Veterans Bureau and the Red Cross required military hospitals to maintain libraries. Today, this therapy method has become a technique used consciously by therapists.

What is Bibliotherapy Used for?

Bibliotherapy is an interdisciplinary therapy method that benefits the client in various aspects. We can list the benefits of this therapy as follows:

Emotional relief: Books, written texts or simply stories can contribute to the client’s emotional relief. For example, as a person reads a book, he or she can relate to the experiences or emotional states of the characters in the book. This can provide emotional relief.

Understanding the problems: With bibliotherapy, the person begins to look at his own problems from a different perspective. The characters or themes in the book are internalized by the client. Thus, the problems can be understood more easily.

Developing empathy: Establishing a connection with the plot or characters in books contributes to the client’s development of empathy. While healing is achieved through knowledge, the client’s ability to understand the emotions of others is strengthened.

Self-expression: While receiving spiritual counseling from books, one will strengthen the ability to express one’s own feelings, experiences or thoughts. The events experienced by the character in the book and the messages given can contribute to the client’s discovery of his inner world. At this stage, the client’s self-expression can be achieved with books and the support of the therapist.

Original thinking: As a person reads books, he can develop new perspectives or thoughts. As the client reads, he can evaluate the perspectives of different writers and characters on different events. This may help the person gain original ideas and discover new solutions.

Obtaining information: While applying bibliotherapy methods, the person acquires information and has the opportunity to learn. Especially when the client reads books related to his or her own life, the learning process can be accelerated and personal development can be supported.

How is Bibliotherapy Applied?

The client shares his problems with the therapist. After identifying the client’s problems, the bibliotherapist determines a book or books whose contents may be related to the client’s life. In these books, the client begins to establish a connection by finding traces of his own life.

Professional applications consist of 3 phases:

Identification: In identification, which is the first of the bibliotherapy phase, the client comprehends the subject and assimilates the characters in the determined book. At this stage, the client notices the differences and similarities between himself and the characters in the book. The therapist helps his client discover himself by asking the right questions at the right moment. At the end of the identification phase, the bibliotherapist prepares the client for the catharsis phase.

Catharsis: This phase is also known as the purification phase. In the catharsis phase, the bibliotherapist encourages the client to express his/her feelings. Therefore, at this stage, the client is expected to express the feelings that he has internalized and cannot share with anyone. If expression occurs, emotional relief is provided. The client can develop a method of coping with the emotions he experiences after expression.

Insight: After the client completes his emotions and experiences catharsis, he moves on to the final phase. In this phase, the client accepts his problems. In the final stage, the client evaluates his personality and life and has a new perspective to deal with his problems.

After reading the book, the discussion phase may differ:

Discussion with the therapist: After reading the book, the client discusses the book with the therapist, the plot of the book, the experiences of the characters or the solutions. Here the client plays the leading role. Creates new solutions by gaining different perspectives.

Group discussion: Book therapy can also be done with a specific group. A book is determined to prepare the group discussion environment and all group members read the same book. When the reading phase is over, the group comes together and everyone shares their experiences. Group members support group members by sharing their own ideas or new perspectives. As a result of this work, clients gain new perspectives.

Keeping a diary: After the reading phase, the therapist encourages the client to keep a diary. The client writes his feelings, experiences and new perspectives about the book he read in this diary. Keeping a diary allows the client to follow the process more easily and observe his/her progress.

In Which Problems Does It Work?

Bibliotherapy methods can be applied to deal with various diseases. We can list these diseases as follows:

Depression
Anxiety disorders
stress management
post-traumatic stress disorder
Dependence
chronic conditions

Bibliotherapy is not limited to the diseases listed above. The bibliotherapist may prefer this method if he thinks it will be suitable for the person’s problem. The person should not apply this method to himself without consulting an expert. If you would like to get information and sessions about this method, you can make an appointment with our expert therapists via onlinepsikolog.com.

Bibliotherapy Session Types

Bibliotherapy is used as a supportive method in the treatment of many different psychological and chronic disorders. This method has two main types of sessions: developmental and clinical.

Developmental bibliotherapy

Developmental sessions are used to support clients’ personal development and improve their mental health processes. These sessions are usually implemented for children, adolescents or teenagers. Developmental bibliotherapy sessions focus on issues such as self-confidence, stress management or relationship skills.

Clinical bibliotherapy

Clinical sessions can help clients cope with emotional or psychological problems. These sessions are aimed at individuals with clinical problems such as depression, anxiety, stress disorder or addiction. Written texts can be used to assist individuals in their treatment. Clients can benefit from books to support their personal development, gain problem-solving skills, or make sense of their life experiences by reading assigned books.

Things to Consider Before Bibliotherapy

It is necessary to pay attention to some issues before applying bibliotherapy methods. We can list these issues as follows.

Expert guidance: Bibliotherapy is a therapy method carried out under the guidance of an expert. If you are interested in this therapy, be sure to have a preliminary meeting with a specialist.

Personalization: As with every treatment method, bibliotherapy should be adapted to the needs of the client. Because each individual’s needs and experiences are different. Therefore, personalization is very important in the process of improving information.

Choosing the right book: Choosing the book is very important in this method. Because with books, a person’s problems are found and goals are determined for the problems. While reading the book, the client should connect with himself and solve his problems by identifying with the characters in the book. Therefore, the book that the therapist recommends is of great importance.

Personal boundaries: Personal boundaries must be maintained when applying the bibliotherapy technique. During the therapy process, it should be taken into consideration that books may cause emotional reactions and this may cause discomfort. It will be good to prepare for the sessions by thinking about your personal limits before starting the sessions.

Constant communication: You should be in constant communication with your specialist throughout the therapy. When there is a communication gap, evaluations of your problems may be interrupted. This may prolong the therapy process.

How to Choose a Book?

After listening to the client’s problems and goals, the bibliotherapist creates a list of books suitable for these problems. A book is selected according to this list and the need and the treatment process begins.

However, it should not be forgotten that bibliotherapy alone may not be sufficient for severe psychological disorders. Your therapist may refer you to different specialists when deemed necessary.

How Many Sessions Does Bibliotherapy Take?

The number of bibliotherapy sessions may vary depending on the client’s needs, the complexity of the process and therefore the goals. Therefore, it is not possible to give a specific number of sessions for the completion of therapy. In some cases, bibliotherapy can be completed in a few sessions, while in other cases it can take much longer.

Additionally, bibliotherapy technique requires regularity and continuity. After these conditions are met, the therapist and the client determine the number of sessions according to the achievement of the goals. In addition, the individual’s working speed is also very important. The client must read the assigned books and make an effort during therapy.

Summary

Bibliotherapy is an interdisciplinary therapy method that uses books, stories or written texts to improve the mental health and emotional well-being of individuals. After understanding the client’s problems and goals, the bibliotherapist gives a book assignment. After the client reads and internalizes the assigned book, the therapy process begins. Bibliotherapy is a method that can be effective in various problems such as depression, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder or stress.

Bibliotherapy, which has two main session types: developmental and clinical, should be carried out under the supervision of an expert. The book recommended by the specialist, the path to be followed, and the communication established before and during therapy are vital.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is bibliotherapy and how is it used?

Bibliotherapy is a therapy method in which individuals overcome their psychological or chronic problems by reading books, stories or written texts. The therapist determines a book by listening to the client’s problems and goals. The client reads the determined book and the therapy process begins.

In what situations is bibliotherapy used?

Bibliotherapy is a technique used for depression, anxiety, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder or chronic conditions. However, bibliotherapy technique is not limited to these disorders. Your therapist may prefer this method depending on your discomfort and goals.

To whom can bibliotherapy be applied?

There is no age limit for bibliotherapy. Anyone who is open to development, loves reading, wants to know themselves and gain a different perspective can receive treatment with this therapy method. However, this method may not be effective for clients with serious illnesses. For problems that cannot be solved with book therapy, your therapist may refer you to different specialties or apply a different technique.