Introduction.docx

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