“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends;
they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors,
and the most patient of teachers.”
― Charles William Eliot
What is Bibliotherapy?
There seems to be no clear consensus on the definition or standardized practices of bibliotherapy. Jonathan Detrixhe sums up the work of John Pardeck and Jean Pardeck from their book, Treating Abused Children Through Bibliotherapy. They state that the “classical view” of bibliotherapy follows three steps:
In addition to these steps, Liz Brewster found six objectives of bibliotherapeutic services. They are:
Studies have shown that the more successful bibliotherapeutic practices center mainly on children: “the idea is that bibliotherapy helps children achieve certain intrapsychic developments that adults were to have accomplished long ago, such as the ability to recognize aspects of one’s self and one’s problems in the life of another; to feel empathetically, not only for others but also for oneself, and to react emotionally; and to problem solve by example.” (Detrixhe 2010, 63) To limit this research on children would be a great disservice to the field. I believe these very outcomes would benefit a number of adults as well as those who have been diagnosed with higher functioning autism. However, it is believed by some that adults will resist and feel misunderstood when trying to relate to a fictitious character. Furthermore, Jonathan Detrixhe points out that, “reading fiction with adults, many may assume, will waste valuable time and effort, plus risk infantilizing clients and minimizing their problems.” (2010, 63) Fortunately, there has been a recent surge in publication of narrative non-fiction, which may make connecting to a character that has literally gone through the same difficulties both relieving and insightful. Other benefits that result from interacting with literary characters include “identification leading to personal change, familiarity with emotional constancy, and strength by example.” (Detrixhe 2010, 64)
In his research, Detrixhe found strict guidelines when selecting a book for bibliotherapeutic purposes:
- Identification and Projection: clients, with a therapist’s guidance, come to recognize themselves in the life and problems of a character in a book.
- Abreaction and Catharsis: clients experience an “emotional release”…and should respond to the story with some sort of passion.
- Insight and Integration: clients become aware that there is a problem in their life and that a solution is needed. (Detrixhe 2010, 59)
In addition to these steps, Liz Brewster found six objectives of bibliotherapeutic services. They are:
- show the reader they are not the first to have the problem
- permit the reader to see that more than one solution to their problem is possible
- help the reader to see the basic motivation of people involved in a particular situation
- help the reader see the values involved in experience in human terms
- provide facts needed for the solution of the problem
- encourage the reader to face their situation realistically (Brewster 2008, 115)
Studies have shown that the more successful bibliotherapeutic practices center mainly on children: “the idea is that bibliotherapy helps children achieve certain intrapsychic developments that adults were to have accomplished long ago, such as the ability to recognize aspects of one’s self and one’s problems in the life of another; to feel empathetically, not only for others but also for oneself, and to react emotionally; and to problem solve by example.” (Detrixhe 2010, 63) To limit this research on children would be a great disservice to the field. I believe these very outcomes would benefit a number of adults as well as those who have been diagnosed with higher functioning autism. However, it is believed by some that adults will resist and feel misunderstood when trying to relate to a fictitious character. Furthermore, Jonathan Detrixhe points out that, “reading fiction with adults, many may assume, will waste valuable time and effort, plus risk infantilizing clients and minimizing their problems.” (2010, 63) Fortunately, there has been a recent surge in publication of narrative non-fiction, which may make connecting to a character that has literally gone through the same difficulties both relieving and insightful. Other benefits that result from interacting with literary characters include “identification leading to personal change, familiarity with emotional constancy, and strength by example.” (Detrixhe 2010, 64)
In his research, Detrixhe found strict guidelines when selecting a book for bibliotherapeutic purposes:
- the narrative and characters should reflect as accurately as possible the reader’s situation in order to promote learning and identification
- best for books to be set in modern times
- to be realistic
- not to offend the religious beliefs or values of the reader
- to have literary merit
- to be clear and brief
- to offer specific solutions to specific problems (2010, 65)