Download: Chapter two - The benefits of bibliotherapy (PDF: 37kb)

• The benefits of bibliotherapy to individuals
• The benefits of bibliotherapy to organisations
• An example of where bibliotherapy has benefited both an individual and an organisation

Bibliotherapy is not an exact science - there are no right or wrong books to read, and every response to the novel is unique to the individual.

However, it works - we can measure this to a degree, from personal responses to what people have read - for example "I like reading about people worse off than me - it makes me feel better. Does that make me a bad person?"

Of course it doesn't, but it is the reaction to what has been read that is interesting. The quote I have used was made by a client who had suffered varying degrees of depression for most of her life. Depression is isolating, lonely and by nature a selfish illness. What entering the realms of fiction does is enable us to enter another world that not only takes us out of our own experience, but can also reflect on our own lives and gives us cause for reflection. We can experience pain, suffering and what we may not be able to examine in the real world can be explored at a step removed in the safer world of the novel, or in poetry.

Any novel takes us out of our own experience, in effect we are allowing the world into the realms of our own selves. Bibliotherapy allows this broadening of our experience in a safe, non-judgemental way. It can free a person from the confines of crippling loneliness. By entering future worlds, fantasy worlds, any world apart from our own we can explore our own selves in alternative realities and make better sense of the real world we inhabit.

Reading is by no means a passive, escapist activity. I think we have all heard of someone bemoaning the fact that reading was considered doing nothing at all - "Put that book down and DO something!". Choosing our own reading matter is a powerful, pro-active decision we make whether we are aware of it or not. From personal experience, when a client who, say may be unable to make a reading choice, decides to branch out and try other things I feel that bibliotherapy has started to work. It can take real courage to develop the confidence to make that decision and try new things.

When I first see a new client I often suggest that they buy a notebook - the nicest they can find and start to keep a reading diary. I have kept one myself for many years and it is a very interesting, not to say invaluable way of examining ourselves and our moods at any particular time. All readers understand that our reading choices reflect our unique state of being at any given time. For example, we may be constricted by a change in lifestyle - a busy young mum may not have the time, or the energy to tackle "War and Peace", but it could be the perfect book for a retired person with time on their hands and days to fill. Reading is unique in that it is an activity that can fit in with our lives at any stage, and there are countless books waiting for us to open them. That's just it - they are waiting for US. We can read whatever takes our fancy. Whenever we want to. Knowing this is empowering - and one of life's greatest pleasures.

Keeping a reading diary is also a useful way of measuring our reactions to what we have read, and how our individual responses are affected by our state of mind at any given time. To quote one lady - "When I look back to what I was reading then, I can remember exactly how I was feeling at the time. I don't want to go back there into that horrible place, but I now know that if I should be as ill again, I will be able to come through it."

Reading groups, or Bookchats are another way in which we practice bibliotherapy. Whilst reading is an intensely personal experience, sharing our reading experiences can be enjoyable, stimulating and can open the doors to friendship for the lonely, or socially isolated individual. Reading groups engender an environment where social skills and confidence can blossom in the individual - they are a "safe" place where books may be explored, and opinions expressed in the knowledge that all responses to a book, or poem are valid. There are no rights or wrongs about what we have to say. Bibliotherapy is a unique way of exploring ourselves and our place in the world we inhabit.

We offer a service that is not provided by anyone else, and when we work alongside other services, can offer an alternative means of engendering well-being, inspiring confidence and generally improving the quality of life for people who may not have responded to other therapies.

Bibliotherapists work with any organisation who we feel may benefit - for example :-

• Gateway to Care
• The NHS
• Care Homes
• Youth Groups
• Womens Groups
• Sure Start

The benefits are many and varied - not only for service users, but for the staff who deliver the services. We offer the opportunity for Staff to develop new skills, by sharing good practice in bibliotherapy, for example. We can set up reading groups in almost any setting imaginable - in fact anywhere we can be safely accommodated. All we need is a book and our enthusiasm to change lives for the better.

There are many, many more people who, like M have benefited from our service.

Do you know of someone?