Transforming Lives Through Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Books in Therapy

My definition of bibliotherapy.

I enjoy incorporating books into my psychotherapy practice. Not only does reading together offer a powerful opportunity for co-regulation to occur, but it can be a helpful component of psychoeducation.

As a parent to much younger children, I was always on the lookout for books that would help my kids develop their perspective-taking abilities, experience new worlds and meet new people, gain insight into situations they may be experiencing, or to read together for the simple enjoyment of doing so.

In my work as a creative psychotherapist, I find that incorporating books into our sessions in the form of bibliotherapy is a natural extension of what I did with my children as they were growing up,

What Is Bibliotherapy?

Simply put, bibliotherapy is the method of using books within the therapeutic relationship to support, explain, and facilitate self-understanding, with the hope of fostering emotional well-being and personal growth.

Like other parts of a creative practice, it could just 'look like' we are reading (painting or drawing), however, these activities, and the books we read, are chosen to help clients understand their unique way of being, process emotions in a less threatening manner, while using the safety and comfort of relatable stories.

Why Bibliotherapy Works.

Since the beginning of time, storytelling has been part of our social experience. Stories were used to pass down wisdom and share information essential for thriving and surviving.

Bibliotherapy builds on what we know to be true of stories: that as a people, we connect with them, especially when they offer us something we need or reflect something of a relatable human experience.

How Books and Bibliotherapy Help Us.

Bibliotherapy may be effective because books can help us to:

📖 Feel less isolated.

📖 Understand ourselves and others.

📖 Create the opportunity for conversation.

📖 Provide words for emotions and experiences that may have been difficult to express.

📖 Provide a safe platform for talking about difficult topics, as we explore the character's struggles, issues and frustrations, creating a little distance for the client when these feel raw and tender.

How I use Bibliotherapy.

When using Bibliotherapy, I often use books written for children and young people, even with adult clients, as these can feel accessible and non-threatening. They are also easier to process if the client is struggling with brain fog, cognitive processing or the emotional overwhelm that may come along with grief and anxiety, as examples.

We may use books and other creative practices to:

📖Explore grief.

📖Make a space for sadness.

📖Look at the invisible strings (continuing bonds) connecting us to people who have died.

📖Learn about our amygdala.

📖Learn about our threat and response system.

📖Explore neurodivergence.

Benefits of Bibliotherapy.

Like any creative practice, reading together is an offering, not a compulsory activity, yet as I work with clients who choose to integrate books, I have observed the positive impact of incorporating Bibliotherapy into my practice.

Such as:

📖 Processing big emotions safely

📖 Encouraging empathy and perspective-taking

📖Cultivating self-compassion.

📖Opening up communication.

📖Building coping skills and emotional literacy

📖Supporting mental wellness and self-understanding.

Want to give Bibliotherapy a go?

If Bibliotherapy sounds like something you, your child, or young person would like to try, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Books can be an alternative way to access therapy, one that feels safer and more comfortable for clients when discussing complex or tender topics.