What Is Bibliotherapy And How Can It Help With Mental Health?

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:

1. Identification—The client identifies with the struggles and goals of a character in the book.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.  

Today, bibliotherapy work is known as a therapeutic approach used in educational settings and by adults and college students. It is sometimes called book therapy or reading therapy. Research published in the Clinical Psychology Review and Youth Services Review, has shown its positive effects on self-esteem, self-awareness, and mental illness, especially for patients suffering from depressive symptoms or eating disorders.

Modern bibliotherapy may also involve creative arts therapy, therapeutic storytelling, and group therapy, often using fiction and stories to help people gain a deeper understanding of their emotions. Organizations like the American Library Association support these efforts and continue to focus on making mental health resources more available.

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. 

This therapeutic approach often involves meaningful stories that reflect real-life experiences, encouraging a new perspective, greater empathy, and even prosocial behavior. A study showed that engaging in bibliotherapy work can lead to positive effects for individuals coping with emotional difficulties, including those related to eating disorders. Cognitive bibliotherapy is also used in some cases to guide thought processing and emotional reflection. Publications like the Youth Services Review and Springer International Publishing have noted the relevance of bibliotherapy in helping people navigate complex life challenges.

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. Reading stories can help people feel understood and supported. One theory says that connecting with characters helps people understand their own emotions. Another theory suggests that planned reading can help with emotional healing.

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 reinforce 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, like journal & poetry 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