What is bibliotherapy, and how can you try it?

Have you ever read a book that totally transformed your outlook on life? Or is there a book you return to, and re-read time and time again because it always gives you comfort and strength? If so, you might have been taking advantage of bibliotherapy without realizing there was a name for it.

Bibliotherapy is the use of books and stories as healing modalities — in other words tapping into the joy of reading as self-care. While reading already comes with a host of physical and mental benefits, such as a longer lifespan and better sleep, bibliotherapy’s specific aim is to use literature to help the reader cope with and improve their life.

Consider reading as a prescription to strengthening your mental health and well-being. “While the general practice of reading as a therapeutic activity dates back to ancient Egypt, medical professionals and counselors have been prescribing books for a hundred years or more,” says Jenni Ogden, PhD, a neuropsychologist and the author of multiple nonfiction and fiction books, including The Moon is Missing. “Books can help people reduce depression, cope with grief and trauma, and improve their mental health. Through stories, readers can self-reflect on problems and empathize with characters who are facing similar issues. It provides a type of catharsis.”

We can also apply the general idea behind bibliotherapy to our own reading choices. By looking at books as tools that can help us…

• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Find meaning
• Boost happiness
• Increase empathy
• Cope with grief
• Improve our relationships
• Facilitate self-growth
• And so on

… we can incorporate literature into our own self-care regimens.

The following books can be a great jumping off point when it comes to trying out bibliotherapy.