Can anyone do bibliotherapy?
Yes and no. Bibliotherapy literally means the use of books for healing; a person may find restoration through reading with or without a counselor’s help. This gray area is best clarified by looking at the difference between developmental and clinical bibliotherapy. As defined by Clara Lack, developmental bibliotherapy is the “personalization of literature for the purpose of meeting normal ongoing life tasks” (i.e. everyday problems) whereas clinical bibliotherapy is “a mode of intervention in aiding persons severely troubled with emotional or behavioral problems” (Doll, 1997).
All children experience anxious or angry feelings and go through changes, but some children face serious mental health concerns such as generalized or social anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, and adjustment disorders. Clinicians may use books in session or recommend books for reading at home to complement therapy sessions, but books alone are not treatment for mental health disorders.
Clinical bibliotherapy is provided by (or is under the guidance of) a mental health professional such as a licensed marriage and family therapist, clinical social worker, psychologist, etc. A clinician may recommend a book to read at home, or the sensitive information might be better received if presented by someone other than the parent (e.g. in cases of divorce or abuse). Some topics (trauma, parental depression, etc.) are not appropriate for an entire class and require the guidance and support of a professional.
For example, these books are likely to be more appropriate for clinical bibliotherapy:
A Safe Place (domestic violence)
Dinosaurs Divorce (divorce)
Mama (adoption)
Why Are You So Sad? (parental depression)
Full Mouse, Empty Mouse (eating disorders)
A Terrible Thing Happened (trauma)
However, most recommended books and activities on ReadRestore are appropriate for the classroom, library, or in-home use as well as a clinical setting. These books are appropriate for developmental bibliotherapy:
What Do You Do with a Problem? (any problem)
In Your Shoes: A Story of Empathy (empathy)
A Bad Case of Stripes (self-esteem)
Let’s Talk About Needing Attention (positive attention-seeking)
Yo! Yes? (making friends)
Hands Are Not for Hitting (social skills)
Books are an excellent resource for starting conversations about difficult topics such as death, bullying, and divorce. Some adults may be uncomfortable or uncertain what is appropriate to tell children in these situations; a good picture book is a helpful way to know you are giving children the information and skills they need. (If you’re wondering if your child’s challenges warrant mental health treatment, check out our article Does My Child Need Counseling?)
How do you know the information in recommended books is “correct”? The books on ReadRestore typically are chosen if they align with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and/or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy approaches which are supported by scientific evidence of their effectiveness in reducing and/or managing anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns (Chiu et al., 2013; Harris, 2009). Many of the selected books are written by counselors and include helpful comments or advice from psychologists. Always use discernment and your knowledge of a child’s circumstance and understanding when choosing therapeutic books. Developmental bibliotherapy is not a replacement for mental health treatment.
Follow-up activities are key to ensuring “readers’ new insights and understandings are translated into meaningful changes in their lives” (Doll, 1997). A clinical bibliotherapist would ask discussion questions and provide a related activity to reinforce the lesson or encourage the child’s self-expression. Reading Guides help parents, educators, and counselors who are new to bibliotherapy to use similar strategies. Unless already included in the book, each recommended book has a downloadable PDF Reading Guide from ReadRestore with discussion questions and a suggested activity to help you keep the conversation going.
Happy reading!
Resources:
Chiu, A. W., Langer, D. A., McLeod, B. D., Har, K., Drahota, A., Galla, B. M., Jacobs, J., Ifekwunigwe, M., & Wood, J. J. (2013). Effectiveness of modular CBT for child anxiety in elementary schools. School Psychology Quarterly, 28(2), 141-153. doi:10.1037/spq0000017
Doll, B., & Doll, C. A. (1997). Bibliotherapy with young people : Librarians and mental health professionals working together. Englewood, Colo: Libraries Unlimited. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=18399&site=eds-live&scope=site
Harris, R. (2009). ACT made simple: An easy-to-read primer on acceptance and commitment therapy. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.