Bibliotherapy?

Surprise, I’ve been thinking about reading! I do it every day and it is simply looking at words on paper. But just how beneficial are the effects? The term “reading” is pretty vague as it can apply to anything from newspaper articles, to subway signs, to liner notes. However, the medium I am taking into consideration here is that of fiction literature. It has been around for ages and continues to be a major form of entertainment that people seek for relief. 

Self disclosure pt. I:  I work in the field of mental health. During my education, there was no mention of “bibliotherapy” as a helping tool for those in distress and I can kind of see why. It’s an abstract concept and can mean a number of things, even to the same clinician. Research on the matter is difficult (use of a control, qualitative vs. quantitative data, subjects etc.). Plus, there are endless ways to stimulate our brains in order to produce serotonin. A fair number of them involve pills, but it is recommended by many that additional therapy be used in conjunction with medicinal help.  

Granted, there are individuals who hate reading. Some people may despise the idea and want nothing to do with it. That’s ok. I see no need to get into why people are different, I’m just interested in the idea of bibliotherapy for those who might find it beneficial. 

Self disclosure pt. II:  I am a curious girl. So to look further into this matter, I turned tooooo…. the internet! (Not academic books, because ironically enough, they are frustrating to find when you no longer have access to your university library.) Here is a little of what I found:

• Not only does title bibliotherapy have a history dating to the early 20th century, it began with a woman named Sadie Peterson Delancy as a technique to help war veterans. (source)
• Bibliotherapy can be used as a means of child therapy by showing characters to whom the children can relate.  This allows the child to imagine people with similar problems and strengths as their own. (source) 
• Self-help books: They sometimes help people. (source)

There is, quite obviously, not a lot to behold. 

Self disclosure pt. III:  Books make me feel better. They probably make you feel better, too. But would you be able to explain why? I’ve tried a couple of times, but the words I found to be a suitable answer were few.  So what I’d like to know is:

1. If you have ever heard of bibliotherapy, what was the context?
2. Is this concept totally bogus?
3. Would you read something just because a therapist told you it would help? 
4. Music and art therapy are perfectly legitimate and oh so helpful.  Would bibliotherapy round it all out? 
5. Does any of the above make sense?

Really, I mean it. I’d like to know. If you’ve got any insider information or general thoughts about bibliotherapy, send it my way. In return, I will tell you how awesome you are.