Bibliotherapy: reading your way back to wellness

Photograph by Mark Pirtle

Bibliotherapy is a form of therapy that involves reading and discussing specific texts to help improve mental health and well-being. This practice involves using books and other written materials to help people better understand and cope with their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

Bibliotherapy is based on the principle that reading can provide a therapeutic benefit, and it is often used in conjunction with other forms of therapy. Bibliotherapy usually involves selecting appropriate reading material based on one's needs and preferences and then discussing the material in a structured setting with a trained therapist, counselor, or coach.

There are various ways in which bibliotherapy can help improve health and well-being. For instance, reading can provide knowledge that helps a person cope. Increased understanding of one's condition has been shown to reduce stress and lead to better outcomes. Additionally, reading can help individuals gain insights into their emotions, leading to increased self-awareness and self-acceptance.

Bibliotherapy is useful for dealing with specific mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. But really, improving self-awareness is good for everything. Finally, books provide a safe way to explore difficult emotions and experiences, which can help promote healing and personal growth.

In my Project SkillfullyAware class, I teach the "What's Next?" Game. This exercise leads a person to find just the right book. If you'd like to get a free PDF of the What's Next? Game, just contact me, and I'll pass it along to you. I want you to be happy!

Until next time, be well,

Mark