Bibliotherapy and Deep Reading: Towards a Collaborative and Client-Centred Approach to Using Reading as a Therapeutic Intervention
Bibliotherapy and Deep Reading: Towards a Collaborative and Client-Centred Approach to Using Reading as a Therapeutic Intervention
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Issue Date
2024-05-11
Authors
Armstrong, Stacey
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Abstract
Bibliotherapy is generally understood as the introduction of supplemental texts in mental health contexts to address specific concerns or to improve overall well-being. This capstone explores the concept of bibliotherapy as a therapeutic intervention, focusing on its historical and theoretical foundations, its use in counselling contexts, and some of the common and ethical considerations for integrating reading into therapeutic contexts. The literature review provides an overview of various theoretical frameworks that employ bibliotherapy and how they are practiced with a discussion of text selection and the difference between supported and unsupported bibliotherapy. While the efficacy research shows therapeutic gains, it is also riddled with blurry and varied operational definitions, wildly different modes of assessment, and small participant numbers. The deep reading framework proposed by neuroscientist Maryanne Wolf is offered as a way of expanding the understanding of the benefits of reading. The author concludes with a proposal for a collaborative and client-centred approach to bibliotherapy that includes a discussion ethical considerations and assessment.
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Keywords
bibliotherapy , deep reading , client-centred , collaborative therapy