Bibliotherapy is an expressive arts therapy that uses an individual’s relationship to the contents of a book, story, or poem as therapy. Music Bibliotherapy is an exercise where music is added to a story or poem selected by or perhaps written by the client. It is an an unobtrusive, non-threatening medium that can help adolescents relieve their stress and increase their coping skills. Music Bibliotherapy can also be particularly useful in the school setting as it can promote academic success and facilitate counseling after a traumatic or stressful event.
In selecting literature for your adolescent client, it is important to choose stories, poems, and/or passages that are relevant to what is going on in his or her life at that moment!
Bibliotherapy Book Suggestions for Teens:
- Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger | teenage angst & alienation
- Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero | sexual identity, cultural identity, addiction
- Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky | sex & love, tempation of drugs, dealing with loss & death
- The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros | identity & individualism, acculturation stress, sexuality
- My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Piccult| terminal illness, family obligation & conflict, power of personal choice
- A Separate Peace by John Knowles| coming-of-age, depression, guilt, grief & loss
- The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath| suicide, depression, societal roles & expectations
**Insightful clip from Alain de Botton on Bibliotherapy