What Is Bibliotherapy? A Therapist Explains How Books Can Heal Plus Shares Her Top Reads
Discover how certain books can reduce stress, ease depression and more
Books have long been used as sources of entertainment or ways to escape reality. But their power goes beyond entertainment and education. In fact, bibliotherapy—the practice of using books for psychological and emotional healing—is an emerging wellness trend that people of all ages are turning to to better their mental health.
Whether you prefer fiction, poetry, self-help or other literary works, the right reading material can help you find clarity and guidance. To understand bibliotherapy, we turned to Emely Rumble, LCSW, Massachusetts-based biblio/psychotherapist, founder of Literapy NYC and author of the upcoming book Bibliotherapy In the Bronx. Keep reading (literally!) to learn more about this unique type of therapy, its benefits and some books to help you get started.
What is bibliotherapy?
While reading can be therapeutic, bibliotherapy dives a little deeper. “Bibliotherapy is a versatile, holistic and accessible approach to healing and mental health that adapts to the needs of diverse populations—whether in clinical settings, educational environments or personal self-care routines,” says Rumble. “You’re intentionally using literature, selected texts or expressive writing to support mental health, cultivate healing and encourage personal growth.”
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She adds that the power of stories and creative expression are used to help people process different emotions and experiences. There are three key types of bibliotherapy:
Expressive creative bibliotherapy
The first type of bibliotherapy doesn’t quite involve books—rather, it focuses on expressive writing. “This involves exercises and activities that prompt creative expression to help uncover and process hidden feelings through journaling, stream-of-consciousness writing or poetry,” says Rumble.
Symbolic ceremonial bibliotherapy
Rumble shares that bibliotherapy can also use the power of ritual and symbolism. “Books and poetry are integrated into communal or personal rituals, enabling participants to access collective healing energies and deeper emotional insights through symbolic practices,” she says.
Receptive prescriptive bibliotherapy
If you’re looking for more reading activities, you’ll find them with receptive prescriptive bibliotherapy. “Here, pre-existing texts, literature and poetry are carefully chosen to elicit reflection, emotional connection and insight,” says Rumble. “The goal is to support personal reflection and provide a sense of validation that will help the therapy process.”
The benefits of bibliotherapy
According to Rumble, bibliotherapy works by “leveraging our natural connection to narratives and symbols.” Stories (whether fictional or factual) can:
- Encourage reflection: “They provide a mirror for our own experiences, helping us recognize and reframe personal challenges,” says Rumble. “By emotionally engaging with stories and allowing an emotional response, we become more aware of cognitive thinking errors and can reframe our thinking to feel more empowered.”
- Support emotional expression: Rumble says both reading and writing allow you to safely express and process emotions that might otherwise remain repressed.
- Create connection: Shared stories can bridge feelings of isolation and make you feel less alone, she says.
- Give you new perspectives: “By engaging with diverse stories, you can gain insights into your life (where we’ve been and where we’re headed), which supports personal illumination and growth,” says Rumble. This can also support problem-solving by giving you new ways of looking at issues.
Rumble adds that the practice is a type of therapeutic intervention beneficial for emotional healing, cognitive reframing, enhanced self-awareness, stress reduction and community building. “Immersion in literature can be both soothing and cathartic. Reading is often an insular, solitary activity. Removed from the judgment of others, you can feel your full spectrum of emotions and experience deep release,” she adds.
Research backs the benefits
Research in the journal Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment examining the effectiveness of bibliotherapy found that it reduced anxiety and depression in children and adolescents. And a separate study in Professional Psychology Research and Practice found that bibliotherapy significantly reduced depression in adults.
It was even found to be effective in improving mental health and sense of purpose during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a 2021 study published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health.
Best books for bibliotherapy: expert-recommended reads
Rumble says there’s a growing wave of literature that illustrates how books not only entertain, but also nurture your mental health and guide you through life’s challenges. Here, a few titles she recommends to begin your own healing journey.
‘Bibliophobia’ by Sarah Chihaya
Rumble recommends this memoir because it demonstrates how reading can be both comforting and challenging in a way that “makes you face the truth about your compulsions, traumas and struggles.” Chihaya explores the concept of narrative closure and connects it back to Freudian theory to help reveal hard truths you may not have even realized you were avoiding.
‘Back in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People’ by Imani Perry
Rumble says this book celebrates the power of symbolism in understanding human experiences. “It employs the color blue as an extended metaphor, inviting readers to explore Black history, archetypes and our collective inner worlds.”
‘How Do You Feel: One Doctor’s Search for Humanity in Medicine’ by Jessi Gold, MD, MS
Blending humor with illuminating insights, Dr. Gold discusses the importance of self-care for healthcare providers through compassionate case studies from her practice and her own work in therapy. Rumble says Dr. Gold’s reflections underscore the need for continual self-interrogation and the pursuit of personal mental health in high-stress professions.
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