Bibliotherapy: the Right Book of the Right Time
By: Claudia E. Cornett and Charles F. Cornett
I Introduction
A In short, Bibliotherapy = reading catharsis
B The book is a way to show counselors how books can relieve every day pressures
C It shows how books can be used as a form of therapy
II What is Bibliotherapy?
A Simple definition: the use of books to help people
B It can be assumed in Bibliotherapy that more is going on than simply reading for pleasure
C Bibliotherapy has preventative measures
D Bibliotherapy is not a solution for deep-rooted psychological problems that require medical intervention
E Casual book recommendations by friends are not considered Bibliotherapy
F Bibliotherapy is the deliberate intervention with well-defined goals
III The History of Bibliotherapy
A First recorded use of Bibliotherapy was by Aristotle
B Epigraph on the library atAlexandriaread: “Medicine for the Mind”
C Dedication on the library atThebes: “Healing of the Soul”
D By the end of the 18th century, books were being used to treat the mentally ill inFrance,England andItaly
E Term Bibliotherapy was first coined by Samuel Crothers in 1916
IV Bibliotherapy and Human Needs
A Briefly discusses Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
B Contains lists of Affective changes and Cognitive changes on page 15 and 16
V The Bibliotherapeutic Process
A In each case, a reader can bring to the situation some past experiences and emotional needs that the book is able to address
B In 1949, Caroline Shrodes identified the progressive stages of Bibliotherapy: identification, catharsis, and insight
C During Identification, the reader becomes empathetic with a character
D The reader’s needs become paralleled with that of the character
E The reader sees what he/she wants to see, either consciously or not
F Identification lays groundwork for Catharsis
G Catharsis definition: the release of pent-up emotions
H Once the emotions have been released, the reader’s mind is clear for more rational thinking
I Insight is the result of Catharsis
J It is the integration of mind and emotion
K Solutions are identified in Insight
L In order for the Bibliotherapy to work, a reader must experience all 3 stages
M More often than not, a reader will stop at the superficial identification with a character
N Not everything someone reads will have a full 3-stage impact
VI The Methodology of Bibliotherapy
A Preparation Steps
1 Identify student needs
a Gather the information beforehand
b Strategies vary from very structured to informal
c Identification can be done via observations, school records, conferences, and student writings (gives examples of some starters)
2 Match them with appropriate materials
a While books and short stories are the core of Bibliotherapy, audio-and visualtapes, filmstrips, and slides can be used
b Some criteria for choosing a book:
i Appropriate reading level?
ii Written at interest level for child’s maturity?
iii Do major themes match child’s needs?
iv Are characters believable enough for reader to emphasize?
v Is there creative problem-solving?
vi Is the background setting believable?
vii Is the book’s format appropriate?
c A card file should be made up for easy reference for appropriate book
3 Decide on next meeting time to discuss and use follow-up materials
a Introductory activities shouldn’t take more than a few minutes
b Remember>>>Bibliotherapy cannot be forced
c If motivation has not been demonstrated by student, he/she may not be ready for Bibliotherapy
d Amounts of reading time need to be flexible
e A child should never be made to feel guilty for not finishing a book, that defeats the purpose of Bibliotherapy
f Choose appropriate atmosphere
g At times, it can be feasible to do group Bibliotherapy sessions
4 Prepare materials
B Implementation Steps
1 Motivate with introductory materials
a Expect the child to enjoy the book
b If reading starts to feel like a chore, the book will be put down
2 Provide reading/viewing/listening experience
a Other materials can be used other than books
b ^^^^This is important for children who have reading difficulties
3 Allow for incubation time
a It takes time for info to be integrated
b If possible, follow-up activities should occur the day after reading is completed
c A child should never feel rushed
4 Provide a follow-up
a Discussion focuses on the Whys, not the What’s, with the child drawing the conclusions
b Bibliotherapists should give Wait and Silent time during discussion, and not prompt unless needed
c Wait time = therapist waits for an answer after asking question
d Silent time = therapist takes a few seconds to ponder response given
i This shows the child that their answer has merit and deserves consideration
5 Conduct an evaluation and steer student towards closure
a After each book, needs should be reevaluated
b Child’s input is important as well
VII Attributes of the Bibliotherapist
A Areas of Knowledge (Background)
1 Psychology
2 Counseling
3 Teaching theory and methodology
4 Children’s literature
5 Child development
6 Sociology
7 Physiology
8 Biology
B Skills Needed
1 Assess student needs and interests
2 Prescribe appropriate materials
3 Evaluate materials
4 Planning individual and group sessions
5 Ask questions on all levels
6 Demonstrate behaviors of a good listener
7 Translate basic learning principles into practical and creative strategies
8 Effectively communicate with kids
9 Evaluate sessions to determine effectiveness of materials
10 Behave professionally>>>observing legal and ethical right to children’s privacy
11 Use all communication channels to bring about expression
12 Consult others when referral to a specialist is needed
C Attitudes and Values
1 Believe in dignity and worth of each person
2 Have broad experience background
3 Be friendly, outgoing, approachable and available
4 Accepting of a person’s uniqueness, even if it is negative
5 Empathetic
6 Enthused about reading and be well read
7 Positive and optimistic
8 Open-minded and flexible
9 Have mature judgment
10 Handle stress and be emotionally stable
11 Objective, responsible, and organized
12 Intrinsically motivated
D Unfortunately, few universities offer specific courses
E And even fewer have comprehensive training programs
VIII Limitations of Bibliotherapy
A There is potential for harm with Bibliotherapy>>>>wrong book at the wrong time can aggravate the situation
B Bibliotherapy success can be limited to:
1 Readiness of child to see self in mirror
2 Therapist’s skill in directing a child through all steps, particularly follow-up
3 Degree and nature of problem
4 Availability of appropriate materials
5 Manner in which book was presented
6 Rationalization tendency of some problems when reading about them
7 Realizations of process’s limits
8 Ability of student to transfer insight into real life
9 Tendency to use literature as an escape>>>causing increased withdrawal
10 Relationship between student and therapist
11 Training and course availability in Bibliotherapy
C Not foolproof, but a good adjunct
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