There are two approaches to bibliotherapy (reading therapy) as seen in the following definitions:
1) “use of selected reading materials as therapeutic adjuvants in medicine and psychiatry”
2) “guidance in the solution of personal problems through directed reading” (ALA, 2018)
In plain English,
1) Counselors may use books in session and may recommend books to read that go along with therapy sessions.
2) Anyone can benefit from reading “self-help” books. Reading on your own is not a replacement for mental health treatment, but it’s a great way to learn healthy coping skills and start meaningful conversations.
Why are so many people choosing reading therapy? It’s accessible and affordable. Books are relatively inexpensive, especially when they can be found at a used bookstore or local library. For rural families, it may be more convenient and require less travel and cost than traditional therapy (Lewis et al., 2014; Mendel et al., 2016).
Not only is bibliotherapy practical, it has a growing body of evidence to support its use in improving readers’ mental health. In a recent study, researchers asked children with nighttime fears and their parents to participate in an at-home bibliotherapy program. 8 out of 9 children had a significant reduction in separation anxiety and severity of anxiety (Lewis et al., 2014).
A meta-analysis of eight randomized clinical trials on bibliotherapy for children identified clinically significant reductions in anxious and depressive symptoms for participants receiving bibliotherapy compared to control groups. The researchers also reported that several studies have shown reading therapy to be effective for treating “emotional, physical, and mental health problems among adults” (Yuan et al., 2018).
In a Swedish hospital, librarians observed calming effects, focus, and reported pain relief by child patients who participated in Reading Club (Selin & Graube, 2018). Patients and parents responded positively to the fun, engaging time spent with hospital librarians.
Dr. Zipora Shechtman (2017) reported studies that demonstrate bibliotherapy in a small group setting effectively reduces aggression in youth. The studies included a diverse group of adolescents in various settings. Small groups were made up of 6 to 8 participants and emphasized fostering positive relationships within the group and with the therapist.
So it seems to work! How and why? For children especially, bibliotherapy is more playful and indirect than traditional talk therapy and as such lessens a child’s defensiveness (Shechtman, 2017). Mendel, Harris, and Carson (2016) identify the following Stages of Bibliotherapy (descriptions paraphrased):
1) Identification and Projection
- child identifies with character or situation
- feels less isolated
2) Catharsis
- child feels like character, may experience emotional release
- through discussion or artistic expression
3) Insight
- child sees situation in new light in relation to character’s problem
- may lead to behavior change
Tips for reading with a child:
Always read through a book before reading it with a child to ensure the book is appropriate for him/her. Allow time for discussion after or even during reading, but never pressure a child to talk, share his/her feelings, or identify with a character. Prying or demanding often increases resistance. Encourage participation with open-ended questions, and let the child set the pace when possible. ReadRestore has free downloadable Reading Guides for the books we recommend. Each Reading Guide includes discussion questions and activities to keep the conversation going.
Happy reading!
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References
ALA (2018). Bibliotherapy. American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/tools/atoz/bibliotherapy
Lewis, K. M., Amatya, K., Coffman, M.F., & Ollendick, T. H. (2014). Treating nighttime fears in young children with bibliotherapy: Evaluating anxiety symptoms and monitoring behavior change. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 30, 103-112.
Mendel, M. R., Harris, J., & Carson, N. (2016). Bringing bibliotherapy for children to clinical practice. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 55(7), 535-537.
Selin, E. & Graube, K. (2018). Bibliotherapy at its best: Reading aloud in a Swedish hospital. Children & Libraries: The Journal of the Association for Library Service to Children, 13-15.
Shechtman, Z. (2017). Group intervention with aggressive children and youth through bibliotherapy. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 67, 47-67.
Yuan, S., Zhou, X., Zhang, H., Pu, J., Yang, L., Liu, L., Jiang, X., & Xie, P. (2018). Comparative efficacy and acceptability of bibliotherapy for depression and anxiety disorders in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 14, 353-365.