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Understanding Bibliotherapy

The concept of reading as a way to help facilitate the healing process and meet therapeutic goals is a common strategy in many treatment approaches. So what separates bibliotherapy from other established theories of psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)?

What makes bibliotherapy different is the fact that a therapist will typically view bibliotherapy as a therapeutic approach, and therefore, use it as an adjunct part of the treatment process; that means that your therapist might use other forms of therapy (like CBT or psychoanalysis) along with bibliotherapy.

Since bibliotherapy is often used to support other forms of therapy, it is appropriate for both individual and group settings and for people of all ages. It's common to see a therapist use stories when working with a younger client such as a child or adolescent.

When used in a group therapy setting, bibliotherapy allows participants to give and receive feedback about their interpretations of the literature and how it relates to their issues. It also helps improve communication and encourages more in-depth conversations and connections for participants.

Types of Bibliotherapy

• Creative bibliotherapy: Group setting, with stories, poems, and fiction read and discussed by the group.
• Developmental bibliotherapy: Used in educational settings and by parents to explain childhood and adolescent issues like puberty or bullying.
• Prescriptive bibliotherapy: Uses self-help books in clinical or home settings to help modify thought patterns, feelings, and actions.
• Therapeutic bibliography: Used in combination with other types of therapy to manage psychological issues.