Bibliotherapy

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Clinical efficacy of the use of bibliotherapy (Wallersheim et al)
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Contents

Introduction

See also Information therapy & Mindfulness in medicine‎ File:Updated.jpg

According to Stanley, bibliotherapy is defined as "... the therapeutic use of books in the treatment of illness or personal problems". In fact, bibliotherapy is widely-used by psychologists and other clinicians to aid in patient education, patient behaviour modification and in communicating with small children. Some studies reveal that using comic book therapy is an effective way for all patients to express themselves through personal narratives in an effort to help them process their memories and emotions.

Bibliotherapy is generally considered an art as well as a science and, as such, there is an increasingly large peer-reviewed literature to support its application in clinical contexts. At an individual patient level, bibliotherapy involves the identification of challenges in one's life -- such as difficulties with your personal finances, going through a divorce or dealing with grief -- and reading purposefully on those topics to gain insight into how they may affect your emotional well-being. The therapeutic use of books dates back to the early 20th century, and its main premise is that reading can be used to provide therapeutic benefits and should not be seen as merely reading for its own sake.

Keep in mind that bibliotherapy is not a replacement for professional psychotherapy. If you suffer from serious physical or mental problems ie., emotional distress or depression; thoughts of hurting yourself; finding yourself unable to perform activities, or engaging in destructive habits, please consult a physician or a therapist.

History

Book therapy was applied to medical care after WWII because soldiers had time to read as they recuperated from their injuries. In psychiatric institutions, reading groups flourished during the early 1950s which kept patients occupied and provided structure to daily routines. Bibliotherapy has been used to develop children's confidence; it is viewed by many parents as a way to discuss issues relating to school and learning with their children. At a very basic level, bibliotherapy can consist of the selection of reading materials for others - what public librarians refer to as reader's advisory. The idea of providing advice springs from the basic need to steer each other to good stories and to communicate with each other through great literature and art. For instance, grieving children may want to read (or be read to) about some complex issues or feelings they may be dealing with in their lives; for many children who are read to, the world opened up by books helps them to learn about other people and cultures. This form of learning will naturally help children to be more compassionate. Bibliotherapy has evolved considerably over time but it still includes books that are meant to be read as a family. In health librarianship, bibliotherapy is a major part of providing consumer health information and patient services; diet and nutritional advice, coping with surgery and treatment in hospitals and self-help books with or without a "prescription" are often helpful. The idea of using books to help patients cope and make their way through the health care system is still popular among health librarians, and can be used for both adults and children.

Implemention

Bibliotherapy can consist solely of reading or complemented with discussion. Children may want to draw scenes or discuss what they identify with in books. Books can be used to engage children on subjects that they may be hesitant to discuss. In North America, for exaple, bibliotherapy often draws on foundational texts or subjects relevant to children or teens. For example, Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet" is read in 8th or 9th grade. Romeo is 15, and Juliet is 13 and teenagers can identify with and relate to those characters. Sometimes this literature can be supplemented with the Broadway version of the play, West Side Story. In fact, it is now possible and expected that school librarians will be able to find texts that target specific age groups and cultures. In elementary school settings, the Berenstain Bears books are used to target particular behaviours and situations encountered by kids. Some division of opinion exists as to whether bibliotherapy needs to take place within the therapeutic setting for it to be considered therapeutic. Some therapists of bibliotherapy take the view that it is a professional skill; other psychologists see no reason why children can't derive considerable benefits from their parents selecting meaningful reading, and by participating with them in discussing the social and cultural issues that arise in the books.

Key websites

References

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