WHAT IS BIBLIO-THERAPY? 

Simply stated, bibliotherapy can be defined as the use of writing  to help people solve problems. Another definition is that biblio-therapy is a way for structuring interaction between a therapist and a participant based on mutual sharing of thoughts put into writing.
 

WHEN SHOULD BIBLIOTHERAPY BE USED?

Biblio-therapeutic intervention may be undertaken for numerous reasons: (1) to develop an individual's self-concept; (2) to increase an individual's understanding of human behavior or motivations; (3) to foster an individual's honest self-appraisal; (4) to provide a way for a person to find interests outside of self; (5) to relieve emotional or mental pressure; (6) to show an individual that he or she is not the first or only person to encounter such a problem; (7) to show an individual that there is more than one solution to a problem; (8) to help a person discuss a problem more freely; and (9) to help an individual plan a constructive course of action to solve a problem.
 

REFERENCES

Bibliotherapy. Fact Sheet (1982). Urbana, IL: ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading and Communication Skills. ED 234 338

Eppele, Ruth (1989). Reading Material Selection: K-12. Focused Access to Selected Topics (FAST) Bibliography No. 30. Bloomington, IN: ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading and Communication Skills. ED 311 394

Klemens, Lynne (1993). Are Handicapped Adolescents Interested in Reading Fiction with Handicapped Characters? M.A. Thesis, Kean College. CS 011 232

Ouzts, Dan T. (1991). "The Emergence of Bibliotherapy as a Discipline." Reading Horizons, 31(3), 199-206. EJ 421 220

Pardeck, John T. and Jean A. Pardeck (1990). "Using Developmental Literature with Collaborative Groups." Reading Improvement, 27(4), 226-37. EJ 421 176

Pardeck, John T. and Jean A. Pardeck (1989). "Bibliotherapy: A Tool for Helping Preschool Children Deal with Developmental Change Related to Family Relationships." Early Child Development and Care, 47, 107-29. EJ 401 179

Riordan, Richard J. and Linda S. Wilson (1989). Bibliotherapy: Does It Work?" Journal of Counseling and Development, 67(9). EJ 396 292

Smith, Alice G. (1989). "Will the Real Bibliotherapist Please Stand Up?" Journal of Youth Services in Libraries, 2(3), 241-49. EJ 395 489

White, Richard (1989). Bibliotherapy and the Reluctant Student. ED 309 390