Prepared by: JOEL N.

NEBRES, RN
from biblio or books (from
Greek vivlion)

therapeia or therapy
Printed Word- May be a means
of modifying or stimulating the
emotions
 generally refers to use of books (literary
works in particular) to help people cope with
problems such as emotional conflict, mental
illness, or changes in their lives (Pardeck,
1994).
 addresses themes such as separation and
divorce, child abuse, foster care, and
adoption
also employed in enhancing well-being of
individuals who could benefit from affective
change, as well as personality growth and
development
To help people of all ages to
understand themselves and to
cope with problems by providing
literature relevant to their
personal situations and
developmental needs at
appropriate times
1. Helps to lift the spirits of the
depressed patients
2. Improve the attention span of the
individual with limited powers of
concentration
3. Educate the individual
4. Relieve insomnia
5. Stimulate the imagination
6. Foster desirable attitudes & ideals in
pts.
 - enable the blind to enjoy
literature
Recorded Literature- another
means of providing
bibliotherapy for those who are
unable to read
selecting literature for the mentally ill

1. Select a literature in accordance

with the pt’s educational
preparation, intellectual capacity
& interests
2. Size up the personality of
patient & attempt to select
material which you may think
may be interesting
nature or the type which appears to
stir up feelings of distress to the
patient
4. Educational reading, choose
books which are recommended by
reliable authorities.
biography & literature
concerning hobbies are usually
interesting subjects for most
patients
 stimulate patient’s
interest
1. Impromptu discussion
2. Sketching the highlights of a
certain literature
3. Keeping them up to date with
desirable current literature
1. Provide an opportunity for self-
expression
2. Help patient’s absorb
considerable knowledge &
exchange worthwhile ideas
3. Able to observe differences in
the pt’s reading habits which
may be attributed to his illness.