Maximize Your Experience With Books: The Four-Stage Process of Bibliotherapy

If you are here, I’m assuming you are interested in what bibliotherapy is and how it can serve you. In this post, I will help you establish some basics.  In future posts, I will clarify how bibliotherapy can assist you as a reader, a creative person, and a processor of others’ money stories.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read a book containing astounding ideas but not been able to apply those principles to my life in a concrete manner. Clearly, my life was better for having read the work, but I wasn’t maximizing the experience. I suppose that is why the concept of bibliotherapy appealed to me enough to craft a study around it.

Recycling My Passions

Choosing a topic for a master's thesis isn’t easy.  I was ecstatic when I found a way to study systemizing, bibliotherapy, and gifted psychology all at the same time.

Of course, I didn’t like paying $10,000 for the online experience.  At least the institution was a college in my state.  Plus, I’ll make this money back over… (insert cryptic number of years).

When I love an idea, I have no problem throwing my whole life into it.  Even with an immense passion for my subject, writing a thesis in a scripted academic manner left me frustrated, drained, and unable to indulge intrinsically in my thoughts and theories for well over a year.

I went off and had a child.  I started a blog.  I read books without being watched or graded.

Now I’m excited to tie all of these domains together again (and sort out how bibliotherapy and systemizing connect to songwriting, money making, and creative lifestyle choices).  

Bibliotherapy: An Old Idea?

Using literature to promote mental wellness is not a new concept.  Plato and Aristotle (along with numerous other philosophers and authors) have mentioned it. 

Bibliotherapy officially began taking shape in the 1920s when some savvy librarians started actively choosing reading materials to address targeted therapeutic needs.

This was a movement where readers would take a suggested book like a "prescription" from well-meaning librarians. However, this wasn’t exactly interactive bibliotherapy as we know it today. A few dissertations on the topic in the 1960s led to some popular guide books, and the practice eventually grew to reach professionals who worked in hospitals and schools.

Lyrics: My First Intro to Bibliotherapy 

I’d like to note, even singer-songwriter Paul Simon wisely claimed to use books and poetry to expand his world (while narrowly defending it at the same time).  “I Am a Rock” was an appealing song to me as an awkward middle schooler interested in the counter-culture of the 1960s.

I have my books

And my poetry to protect me

I am shielded in my armor…

However, bibliotherapy is different in the fact that it encourages connection with others.  It doesn’t say, “I have no need of friendship, friendship causes pain.  It's laughter and it's loving I disdain.”  

Looks like he knows how to make friends here...

The main takeaway is, although bibliotherapy is an old concept with several individual interpretations, reading a book willy-nilly and experiencing bibliotherapy are two separate journeys.

What is Bibliotherapy and How is it Used?

The term bibliotherapy refers to carefully planned and structured interactions with literature guided by scaffolded questions and formally produced reflections.  

It is preferably conducted with a facilitator (and possibly in small groups) in order to bring about a dimension of response not possible alone.  The facilitator, the client, and the literature are a dynamic triad all bringing something unique to the sessions.

With the use of fiction or non-fiction books (and even lyrics or poetry), these guided interactions can assist with identity formation, self-worth struggles, confident independent thought, increased self-understanding, and other personal issues.

All the lonely people, where do they all come from?

Imagine you are in therapy.  If someone asks you, “Do you really want to die alone?” you will probably have a different response than if you are asked to discuss the song “Eleanor Rigby” by the Beatles.

In essence, I like bibliotherapy because a “facilitator-client-problem” set-up seems to have an unwanted hierarchical dynamic, whereas the third element of a book (facilitator-client-literature) diffuses possible power struggles.

How I Use Bibliotherapy

Currently, I’m in the business of taking my intellectual grasp of bibliotherapy and putting it into practice with myself, students, and other clients.

Concerning side-hustles, I’ve stopped teaching multi-age guitar and songwriting lessons after school ever since the birth of my son.  However, I can see “restarting” a business with elements of bibliotherapy in the future. I’d love to host a book club on steroids with some possible guitars thrown in... We’ll see.  For now, I still use it as my go-to method for writing songs independently.

Mostly, bibliotherapy is an “add-on” to my academic environment.  To be honest, bibliotherapy is not as concerned with comprehension or the mastery of foundational skills as it is with individual feelings and the treatment of emotional struggles.  (So basically, I try to slip in some empathy building and self-esteem building into my reading lessons... and I hope the Common Core is not watching.)


Bibliotherapy: A Four-Stage Process

In bibliotherapy, participants are lead through a four stage process of identification, catharsis, insight, and universalization with a character or theme in a story.  I’ve also heard it described as a four-stage process of recognition, examination, juxtaposition, and self-application. With some analyzation, you can probably see the similarities behind these two schools of thought regarding the process.  For example, identifying (or recognizing) yourself in a character describes a similar internal event.

1. Identification/Recognition

Have you ever been reading ardently for a while when suddenly an event in the plot or a character’s remark “strikes a chord,” causing you to pause and reflect on your own life?  (I personally spend half of my time reading staring off into space.) At the moment you pause, you become aware of something about yourself or about life that has always been there but never been articulated thoroughly. During such a moment you are making a text-to-self connection (and you are entering the first stage of bibliotherapy).

2. Catharsis/Examination

The word “catharsis” is Greek for “cleansing.”  In this step, we arouse and release what has been suppressed after identifying it.  For example, we often read, watch movies, and tell our own stories because we feel better afterward (even under paradoxical conditions, such as when there is an ending we don’t agree with).  Even if the story itself doesn’t spark an emotional release, sometimes dialogue with others can serve this purpose. Our spontaneous responses and the spontaneous responses of others around us can reveal a lot as we use storylines to release strong reactions to previous ambiguous issues.

3. Insight/Juxtaposition

Without guidance, a lot of us naturally stop the bibliotherapeutic process after identification and emotional release.  (Well, the movie is over. Back to the dishes…)

Entering the stage of juxtaposition takes mental effort because it involves putting two concepts (or two storylines - your life and the life of a character) side by side in order to compare and contrast them.  If taking on this task, it’s important to conduct it in an environment that encourages creative thinking (aka - not with pessimists). If role-models for behavior are possible in the characters, this should be discussed with an openminded person (or group of people) in a situation designed to stimulate original thinking, original connections, and playful attitudes. Creative writing activities can be assigned to solidify new understandings.

4. Universalization/Self-Application

If you find yourself able to integrate insights from the first three steps into your life (while truly sensing the human condition at work in your own story and in your own problems), you have successfully used the power of abstract thought to make bibliotherapy effective. If you take it further to face challenges with awe, cultivate an accurate sense of self-importance, and garner a new level of critical examination towards yourself and the outer world, the story choice and your participation in the reflection are a gift that will keep on giving.

Keep in mind, this can take months or years. Continual reflection and identity formation may develop as your mind wanders back to the story time and time again. Ultimately, you can use the process repeatedly to dive into yourself (while healthily distancing yourself from your life at the same time).

Final Clarifications

The four-stage process mentioned above is what makes bibliotherapy distinct from regular guided reading groups and book clubs. Educational professionals who have studied the process implement bibliotherapy in small group settings.  

In my classroom, it is an intervention that has been used to educate students directly about their behavior. Studies show students surveyed after the implementation of bibliotherapy report positive behavior changes, such as increased participation that is both spontaneous and appropriate.  It is effective for influencing a vast array of social skills, including not interrupting, listening, and tolerating others.

Wherever personal development is taking place, bibliotherapy can be implemented.  That is why I want to expand my practice onto this financial independence blog.

Up next, I apply the four-stage process to Grant Sabatier’s book Financial Freedom.

6 Replies to “Maximize Your Experience With Books: The Four-Stage Process of Bibliotherapy”

  1. I have to admit I really had no clue what bibliotherapy was until I read this post. But what a fascinating idea! I love how you are even incorporating it into the classroom. I noticed that studies have shown bibliotherapy leads to positive behavior changes for students. Have you noticed the same?

  2. I’m glad I could expose you to the idea Dave! That is part of what this blog is all about! I hope you can find this practice useful in your own life.

    Concerning students, I think it is very difficult to tell if their behavior improves because of the dynamic of my relationship with them or the literature I expose them to. It’s difficult to rule out variables! I have very well behaved students at this point (lucky me)!

    When they do struggle, it takes a lot of energy and time to solve deep-rooted struggles an individual may have. I don’t take it personally and I do what I can. I don’t see how the use of carefully chosen literature could possibly hurt, so it’s one of my go-to relationship building activities.

  3. Absolutely fascinating. I’ve never heard of this before but it make a lot of sense. So many things that I want to react to in your post but let me pick out a few.

    Firstly clearly this is something that will work. There are lots of studies that show that people/children who read more are more empathetic. This sounds like it takes that empathy and moves it into therapy in a structured way. That makes SO much sense.

    Secondly, I’m really interested in the way that therapy is evolving and the interdisciplinary connections with ‘the arts’. I have a friend who is a radio producer but she is now retraining as a dance therapist. I thinks it’s another example of of how you can break down that hierarchical structure you describe in traditional therapy.

    Finally (for now!) I can totally see how this would work to help you to examine your own life, while simultaneously creating the distance that you need to be more objective about it. In every day life I know that when I have a strong negative reaction to someone of some action it is almost always because I see something that I do myself reflected back at me, and I don’t like it. As you say, if you can find a way to harness that in a safe therapy environment when it is, nominally, about exploring a reaction to a character or incident, I can see how that would be very powerful.

    Can’t wait to read more about this!

  4. Hey Caveman,

    Thank you for such a reflective comment! You make several great points here so thanks for your time!

    If you are unfamiliar with the seven common defense mechanisms, I think you would like learning about those. You described “projection” in your last paragraph when you mentioned other people’s negative traits reminding us of things we can’t or refuse to acknowledge in ourselves.

    For a long time, I had a strong negative reaction to narcissists (most people do, right?) but I would have generalized social phobias or enormous anxiety around them to the point I would avoid people I did enjoy if there was even a chance they would be around. (I’ve only met 3-4 people like this btw and everyone else’s constant annoyance and disgust at their actions confirmed my position.) Anyhow, I would try to please them and never stick up for myself. Long story short, I realized I feared my own confidence. I feared my own power to do what I want (and say what I want) in life and/or relationships.

    Glad you are up for hearing more about bibliotherapy! I’m really enjoying writing the next few posts.

  5. Hi Michelle, Thanks so much for writing about this. I’ve heard about bibliotherapy superficially, so I really appreciate your describing the steps in detail. I look forward to more posts about it!! There are so many layers to bibliotherapy (how & why it helps, self-actualization through a creative medium) that I’m just staring off into space myself after reading your post! I’m just blown away. I’ve made it a goal to read more this year, and I’m going to have to try the steps you’ve described on myself! Cheers, Dragon Gal

    1. I’m so glad you found this information useful Dragon Gal! I’m amazed I didn’t discover the idea of bibliotherapy earlier in my life. Now that I’ve found it, I love showing it to people who are open-minded and into exploring it deeply. Best wishes with all of your reading this summer!

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