Book Therapy's Ask the Bibliotherapist Blog

  What is Bibliotherapy? Bibliotherapy is the use of books and reading materials as a therapeutic tool to address mental health issues. Its main advantages are ease of use, low cost, low staffing demands, and greater privacy. Here is a more in-depth article on bibliotherapy, what it is and how it works: Bibliotherapy: The Magical Healing Quality of Literature and also the following article discusses the tools and techniques available: Bibliotherapy Techniques - What Are They and Do They Work? How Does Bibliotherapy Work? Book Therapy’s online Bibliotherapy, Literature and Mental Health course takes you on a step-by-step course to show you how bibliotherapy works,...

Here's a little infographic of how reading can help boost your happiness hormones! Don't underestimate the power of reading! And next time you're feeling low, consider picking up a book. Happy Reading! You might like our other Q&A posts in our Ask the Bibliotherapist Blog: What are the Benefits of Reading? Why Fiction As Escapism is Healthy If you enjoyed reading this you might find Book Therapy’s online Bibliotherapy, Literature and Mental Health course helpful. If you'd like to find out more about me, do check out my profile here or drop me an email at bijal@booktherapy.io. 

Recently a reader wrote in asking about the benefits of reading and specifically: What are the benefits of reading? What impact does it have on us, in terms of increasing our ability to empathise / heal from past trauma? In what ways can it be therapeutic? Reading has tremendous benefits beyond therapeutic ones, but I focus on these here, given the questions are focused on reading as therapy: Q: What are the benefits of reading? A: Like mindfulness, reading has a plethora of benefits from exercising the mind, deepening empathy, relaxing us and forcing us to slow down, to perhaps...

Is fiction as escapism healthy? A reader recently contacted me with the following questions: What makes you pick up a fiction book? Have you ever selected a fiction book as a means of escapism from your problems? Many people read fiction as a means of escapism from daily problems and challenging circumstances. Do you think this practice is healthy? If yes why, if no why? Are there any downsides to using fiction as a way to escape our reality? I answer each one in turn. Q: What makes you pick up a fiction book? A: Often fiction offers that gateway to another world,...