The Origin, Development, and Significance of Bibliotherapy

Abstract

The paper aims to synthesize the available texts that problematize bibliotherapy as an auxiliary therapeutic method scientifically recognized only in the twentieth century. Also, in addition to defining the term, it presents the importance of bibliotherapy on the transformation of personality, as well as the role of therapists/librarians in the process of treatment with books. The paper emphasizes the results of socionics, which additionally complements the bibliotherapeutic method with knowledge about the types of readers based on Jung's typology of personality. Similar to personality types, there are different book types within bibliotherapy that enable an individualized approach in the treatment process. Different types of bibliotherapy ‒ institutional, clinical, and developmental ‒ jointly performed by medical and library experts are presented and described. The paper presents multiple positive effects of bibliotherapy, from psychocorrection of emotional state, through creative and adaptive habits, to improvement of communication with others. Also, domestic authors who have so far contributed to the study of this topic are listed.