Bibliotherapy

Bibliotherapy is a kind of therapy achieved through the use books or other types of literature. Self-help books are the most common form of bibliotherapy and the obvious value in that it provides the opportunity for the participants to recognize and understand themselves, their characteristics and the complexity of human thought and behavior. It may also promote social development as well as the love of literature in general and reading in particular. It reduces feelings of isolation that may be felt by people with problems. It generally refers to the use of literature to help people cope with emotional problems, mental illness or difficulties in their lives and produce affective changes.

By providing literature relevant to their personal situations and developmental needs at a suitable time, bibliotherapy practitioners attempt to help people of all ages to understand themselves and to cope with problems such as separation and divorce, child abuse, foster care, and adoption. The use of literature can be used to help people cope with emotional problems and mental illnesses that have occurred in their lives. As a result of the change, it promotes personality and developmental growth. Reading related books often helps and the discussion and follow-up activities are what makes bibliotherapy commanding. The key is to find quality literature where the main character is experiencing problems similar to those of the participants.

The underlying of bibliotherapy is that clients identify with literary characters similar to themselves, an association that helps the clients release emotions, gain new directions in life, and explore new ways of interacting. Quality is important because if the story is not credible to the reader, neither will the solutions be. Whichever is the approach, bibliotherapy requires careful planning as it seeks to help clients respond directly to the materials they are given, so that change is effected through catharsis, insight, provide information, stimulate discussion about problems, communicate new values and attitudes, create awareness that other people have similar problems and provide realistic solutions to problems.

However, the effectiveness of bibliotherapy may be limited by the availability of materials on certain topics, as well as the lack of client ability, readiness and willingness to read. They may also project their own motives onto characters and thus reinforce their own perceptions and solutions.