Bibliotherapy

Bibliotherapy is the process of using books as part of the therapeutic process or as a stand-alone therapeutic tool.

Choosing a self-help book as a therapeutic tool or to support your therapy can be a difficult task. There are thousands of books and most claim to be better than the next. Selecting a therapeutic or self-help book is a personal process, (just like choosing a book or movie for entertainment), and so it’s hard to recommend books, as everyone’s preferences are different. Here are some things to consider:

  1. What are the author’s credentials? Is the author considered an expert on the topic? Do they have academic and professional qualifications related to anxiety, and/or professional experience dealing with anxiety?

  2. What does the book claim to do? Books that claim to “cure” a variety of different conditions in a short period time should generally be treated with skepticism. In general, books that address specific issues (e.g., phobias, social anxiety disorders) rather than all topics related to anxiety are the most useful.

  3. What theoretical orientation (e.g., cognitive-behaviour therapy) is the book based on? You are more likely to follow-through with the program in a book if you and the author have similar beliefs about what causes anxiety and how to reduce its symptoms. If you strongly disagree with the author’s perspective, you are unlikely to find the book useful.

  4. What is the focus? Does the book focus on explaining the causes of anxiety, describing anxiety conditions, or outlining strategies to overcome symptoms of anxiety? Depending on your goal, you may be looking for a book with a focus on understanding anxiety or one that focuses equally on understanding and treatment. Look through the table of contents. If you are looking online, many retailers allow you to view the first few pages, which includes the table of contents.

  5. What do others think of the book? Although choosing a self-help book is an individual process, ask a store clerk, check online book reviews, or ask others with your condition what they thought of the book. If you can learn more about specific features that people liked or disliked, it may help you make your decision.

  6. What does the author base their method on? Do they quote only their own research or do they use research published in well-known journals? Check the bibliography or reference list in the back of the book. Are there a variety of sources? Are the reference materials recent or out of date?

Here are a few books you may find helpful: