Friday, June 27, 2025
Walrus
Bibliotherapy is a therapeutic practice that uses literature to help individuals cope with life challenges and mental distress. It is divided into clinical bibliotherapy, conducted by certified therapists, and nonclinical bibliotherapy, often facilitated by librarians. Proponents and cognitive science research suggest that fiction allows readers to objectively process their emotions by identifying with characters, potentially increasing empathy and reducing stress. While the practice has a long history dating back to eighteenth-century asylums and is more widespread in the UK, it remains a niche field in Canada, where there is no formal licensing organization. Practitioners like Hoi Cheu use tailored reading lists to create a "cocooned space" for clients, such as Anne Boulton, to explore personal issues more gently than in traditional therapy.
