Abstract

Bibliotherapy is the use of any literary work in the treatment of physical or emotional problems. It is practiced by a variety of professionals including librarians, psychoanalysts, educators, and behavioral scientists. Patrons, outpatients, inpatients, students, clients, and parishioners are some of the participants in bibliotherapy sessions. The literature used may be the spoken or the written word or audiovisual, and it may be self-produced or otherwise. Bibliotherapy can be divided into two divisions, psychotherapeutic and educational. An emotional release occurs in bibliotherapy, and healing may take place. Insight may be gained, and personality may be altered. To be a facilitator and to avoid any adverse effects of bibliotherapy, the bibliotherapist must know books and people and must have training in psychotherapy and literature. Bibliotherapy is a form of communication involving the renewing of the mind.