bibliotherapy

Bibliotherapy is the use of reading materials to support mental health and emotional well-being. It can be delivered in clinical settings as part of psychotherapy or used informally by individuals seeking coping strategies. The practice rests on the idea that engagement with literature—stories, poems, or reflective nonfiction—can influence mood, cognition, and behavior.

The term was popularized in the early 20th century by American physician and editor Samuel Crothers, and since then bibliotherapy has been applied in libraries, schools, and health care contexts. It encompasses both guided, therapist-led interventions and self-guided reading aimed at resilience and growth. Materials can be fiction or non-fiction and are chosen to align with a person’s goals.

Two general forms are recognized: clinical bibliotherapy, where a professional prescribes or recommends readings and facilitates discussion; and developmental or educational bibliotherapy, used to promote coping skills, literacy, and social-emotional learning through reading groups or classroom activities. Some programs include anticipatory bibliotherapy to prepare individuals for upcoming events.

In practice, bibliotherapy involves assessing the reader’s needs, selecting appropriate texts, and pairing reading with follow-up tasks such as discussion, journaling, or creative writing. It is commonly used with children and adolescents but also for adults in therapy, palliative care, or community programs.

Evidence for effectiveness is mixed and often context-dependent. Some studies report modest benefit for anxiety, depression, or grief, but research varies in quality. Bibliotherapy should complement—not replace—professional care, and materials should be appropriate to the reader’s culture, mental state, and safety needs.

See also: narrative medicine, self-help, bibliotherapy in education.