lecture presented by Dr. Heidi Barcelo-Makahilig, Ph.D. at PAARL Academy’s 2-day Modular Training Program on Bibliotherapy Services through Book Prescription Shops in Libraries & Information Centers, held on 19-20 May 2011, at the Librarians’Center of the National Bookstore Superbranch, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines

1. BIBLIOTHERAPY
AS A
PROCESS
Heidi Barcelo-Macahilig, Ph.D.

2. BIBLIOTHERAPY
Reading
Reader Response
Interactive

3. What is BIBLIOTHERAPHY ?
• Greek words: Biblion – book
Therapeia – healing
• A program of selected activity involving
reading materials, planned, conducted,
and controlled as treatment under the
guidance of the physician for emotional
and other problems.

4. • The use of selected reading materials as
therapeutic adjuncts in medicine and in
psychiatry; and, guidance in the solution
of personal problems through directed
reading.
• the use of literature to treat mental,
emotional, and nervous disorders

5. • A process of dynamic interaction between
the personality of the reader and
literature-interaction which may be utilized
for personality assessment, adjustment,
and growth.(Bodart)

6. Therapeutic Reading vs. Ordinary Reading
INTERACTIVE
INTENSITY OF EXPERIENCE

7. Two Components of Therapeutic Reading:
1. The author engages the reader in a
silent dialogue, and the reader
becomes part of the unfolding
intellectual and emotional process
of the book

8. 2. The reader must struggle to
understand what is being
communicated at the deepest levels
and, as a direct consequence of
that communication, responds by
making a positive alternation or
modification in behavior or attitude

9. Bibliotherapy:
Art or
Science?

10. as an ART
• Non-medical use of reading to heal.
• Nondirective form of reading
guidance or as a private means of
self-help.

11. • Non-medical practitioners of the art,
such as teachers and librarians,
make available carefully selected
texts for use by individuals in solving
minor personal problems or
setbacks.

12. • For a classroom teacher, the art
lends itself best to a group
approach. Working with books in a
group may lead an individual to
develop a different perspective on
the problems of others and/or gain
insight into his or her own personal
struggles.

13. • Individuals can also utilize the
art of bibliotherapy as a private,
self-directed means of healing.

14. as a Science
• A directed therapy defined as “a
family of technique for
structuring interaction between a
facilitator and a participant
based on the mutual sharing of
literature.”

15. ART SCIENCE
• is a nondirective • focuses on treating
approach to those who suffer from
resolving minor serious physical or
personal problems mental illness under
the close direction of
a medical
professional

16. The Process of Bibliotherapy

17. 1. IDENTIFICATION
The reader associates himself or
herself with a character or
situation in a book.

18. 2. CATHARSIS
The reader shares the feelings
and motivations of the
book’s character.

19. 3. INSIGHT
The reader realizes his or her
situation can be dealt with
more effectively by imitating
or adapting the ideas from
the reading material.

20. • Identification
• Selection
• Presentation
• Follow-up (Pardeck)

21. The Basic Procedures in Conducting Bibliotherapy
1. Motivate the individual or individuals
with introductory activities
2. Provide time for reading the
material
3. Allow incubation time

22. 4. Provide follow-up discussion time,
using questions that will lead
persons from literal recall of
information through interpretation,
application, analysis, synthesis, and
evaluation of that information

23. 5. Conduct evaluation and direct the
individual or individuals toward
closure--this involves both
evaluation by the practitioner and by
the individual.

24. Activities in Bibliotherapy are designed to:
• provide information
• provide insight
• stimulate discussion about problems
• communicate new values and attitudes
• create awareness that other people have
similar problems
• provide realistic solutions to problems

25. BIBLIOTHERAPY
FAQ’s

26. DOES IT WORK?

27. WHEN SHOULD
BIBLIOTHERAPY BE USED?
• Bibliotherapeutic intervention may
be undertaken for many reasons:
1. to develop an individual's self-
concept;
2. to increase an individual's
understanding of human behavior
or motivations;

28. 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;

29. 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;

30. 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.

31. WHO SHOULD CONDUCT
BIBLIOTHERAPY?
• a classroom teacher
• a librarian
• a mental health professional

32. HOW SHOULD IT BE USED?
• What books?
• Individual or Group?

33. ARE THERE LIMITATIONS?
• the availability of materials on
certain topics
• the lack of client readiness and
willingness to read
• participants may be defensive, thus
discounting the actions of characters
and failing to identify with them

34. • facilitators may have limited
knowledge of human development
and developmental problems, and
inadequate knowledge about
appropriate literature
• clients may be unwilling to discuss
areas that are uncomfortable, or
facilitators may insist on making a
point at the client's expense

35. • if both the client and counselor stay
on surface issues

36. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!