1.

0 INTRODUCTION

It comes to our knowledge that one is not happy for being known of having
ailment. For instance, a child with autistic problem may not be happy for being
popularly known due to having the weird behaviour. Thus, to dispose of these kinds
of problems, a self-help intervention has been introduced which is known as
bibliotherapy. Bibliotherapy is a type of self-help intervention where it is now
commonly documented in the manual of a counsellor. It include the use of a broad
range of materials whether is fictional or nonfictional which is related to one’s own
difficult real-life situation. Hence, by having self-help bibliotherapy, it can be
reassuring that one will know that one will not be the first one being exposed to this
kind of mishaps.

2.0 BIBLIOTHERAPY DEFINITION

Shechtman (2009) claimed that the term bibliotherapy is made up of two words: biblio,
originating from the Greek word biblus (book), and therapy, referring to psychological
help and thus it can be simply stated that bibliotherapy is the use of books to help
people solve problems. Secondly, according to McKenna, Hevey, & Martin (2010)
provides a more clinical definition in which bibliotherapy is a form of self-administered
treatment in which structured materials provide a means to alleviate distress.
However, according to (Miller, n.d.), bibliotherapy is prone for schooling purposes in
which it is the process of using books to help children think about, understand, and
work through social and emotional concerns.

Frankly, all of the above definition shared one common thread that bibliotherapy
requires reading as the therapeutic agent. Although reading books serves as helping
tool, the effectiveness of a therapy is influenced by the involvement of therapists and
the books whether fiction or non-fiction being used. Hence, in this context, the
therapist involvement and the types of books are the two major factors in evaluating
the amount of therapy.

2.1 TYPES OF BIBLIOTHERAPY

2.1.1 Clinical Bibliotherapy

Pehrsson, Ed, Mcmillen, & Ph (2007) stated that clinical bibliotherapy is utilized by
mental health practitioners, addresses emotional-behavioral problems to meet
therapeutic goals. In other words, the meaning can be derived as a form of therapy
that is used by skilled practitioners to deal with someone who suffers from extremely
serious emotional turmoil.

2.1.2 Developmental Bibliotherapy

According to Rubin (1978), developmental bibliotherapy is commonly employed by

educators, librarians and healthcare workers, facilitates transitions with basically
healthy individuals. In this context, the meaning can be derived as anyone who use it
to help ‘normal’ person in their health and development and the purpose is to equip
an individual with the knowledge of what to expect and how to deal with the problems
emerged.

2.2 STAGES OF BIBLIOTHERAPY

INSIGHT

CATHARSIS

IDENTIFICATION

BIBLIOTHERAPY PROCESS

2.2.1 Identification

First and foremost, the reader first align himself with the characters or situation in a
book. However, the premise is that the book chosen must be in light of the reader’s
interest and knowledge level. Once the reader is interested with a book just by its title,
he or she will make a perception that the book will sure be interesting and feels
anticipated to read the book.

2.2.2 CATHARSIS

Catharsis is when the reader shares the same feelings and motivations of the book’s
character. When one start reading the book, he/she will be entered into the storyline
or the situations in the book. Then, it comes to the emergence of feeling of putting
oneself in that person’s shoes. Thus, when one feels angry with the decision being
made by the character, he will be disappointed with the injustice in that situation.
That is the reason when one is feeling touched by the storyline, he or she will be
crying with the character.

2.2.3 INSIGHT

Gaining insight or ideas means when one begins to understand his or her own
problems and the difficult situation can be dealt with more effectively by imitating or
adopting the ideas from the reading materials. Thus the types of books being chosen
plays a crucial role in determining the amount of therapy.

2.3 ISSUE-CHILD ABUSE