What is Bibliotherapy in Play Therapy?

Bibliotherapy is an impactful tool in play therapy, empowering children to explore their emotions through storytelling and connection. In a recent conversation with play therapy expert Tammy Van Hollander, we explored the integration of bibliotherapy into child-centered and attachment-focused therapy. Tammy's approach combines neurobiological insights, attachment theory, and therapeutic storytelling, making bibliotherapy a powerful method for therapists working with children. This post delves into what bibliotherapy is, Tammy's journey with it, and practical strategies for integrating books into therapeutic work with children.

What Is Bibliotherapy?

Bibliotherapy involves using books to facilitate discussion, understanding, and healing for individuals dealing with emotional and psychological challenges. For children in therapy, bibliotherapy can help them relate to characters and storylines, providing a safe psychological distance to process their own experiences and emotions. Bibliotherapy can be either directive, with a specific therapeutic goal, or non-directive, allowing children to explore themes naturally through the therapeutic reading experience.

Tammy Van Hollander’s Journey with Bibliotherapy

Tammy’s introduction to bibliotherapy began early in her play therapy career. She encountered bibliotherapy during a conference at the Association for Play Therapy and was inspired by the Self Esteem Shop, where attendees asked Dee Dee Gruenberg for book recommendations for various therapeutic needs. Dee Dee’s skillful use of books to connect with clients left a lasting impression on Tammy, and she began incorporating books as therapeutic tools in her practice. Although her training was client-centered, Tammy found that bibliotherapy complemented her approach, especially by enhancing the child’s sense of attunement and attachment within the therapeutic relationship.

Why Bibliotherapy Works for Attachment and Healing

Tammy is an advocate of integrating bibliotherapy with attachment-focused play therapy. This approach emphasizes the relational aspects of therapy—where creating safety and connection is foundational. Bibliotherapy provides both structure and freedom, allowing children to engage with characters and stories at their own pace, mirroring their experiences or exploring new ones. Tammy highlights that bibliotherapy is not merely cognitive but rather an embodied experience, as children relate emotionally to the stories. She emphasizes that for both adults and children, books can be deeply therapeutic, serving as co-regulation tools and helping establish a secure environment for healing.

Practical Strategies for Using Bibliotherapy in Play Therapy

Tammy’s insights offer valuable strategies for therapists looking to incorporate bibliotherapy:

Create a Therapeutic Library: Tammy organizes her books into categories like grief, inclusivity, friendship, and anxiety. Having a curated selection of books helps her respond to diverse client needs.
Preview Books Before Using Them: To ensure therapeutic alignment, Tammy suggests previewing each book thoroughly. Certain themes, like heaven in grief books, may require sensitivity to the family’s values and beliefs.
Integrate Sensory and Kinesthetic Experiences: Tammy uses “kinesthetic storytelling” (as developed by Janet Courtney) to make reading interactive. In this method, parents or therapists read aloud while incorporating gentle, consent-based touch on the child’s back or encouraging children to use sensory materials like sand trays or stuffed animals.
Adapt for Telehealth: During the pandemic, Tammy found bibliotherapy helpful for telehealth sessions. Platforms like YouTube allow therapists to access digital copies of books, making it easier to share the reading experience virtually, particularly for younger children who may struggle with screen time.
Build Attunement and Co-Regulation: Bibliotherapy provides an excellent framework for co-regulation. Tammy encourages therapists to use tones, inflection, and physical proximity when reading, making the experience attuned to the child’s emotional state. Books such as The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld allow children to witness different emotional responses and understand the value of presence and active listening.
Incorporate Parents for an Attachment-Based Approach: Tammy often invites parents to participate, creating shared experiences and nurturing secure attachments. By reading books together, parents and children practice attunement and co-regulation, essential components in building healthy attachment.

Recommended Bibliotherapy Books and Tools

Tammy’s book, The Bibliotherapy Toolbox, offers a comprehensive guide to therapeutic storytelling, complete with interventions and recommendations for different themes. It includes contributions from well-known play therapy professionals like Robert Jason Grant, Paris Goodyear-Brown, and Dana Weiss. Each intervention is crafted to support therapists and educators in creating safe spaces for children to explore complex emotions through stories.

Some of Tammy’s other recommended resources include:

The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld: This story illustrates the importance of simply being present, a foundational aspect of creating a secure environment for emotional expression.
Casey’s Greatness Wings by Janet Courtney: This book utilizes kinesthetic storytelling to teach mindfulness and emotional regulation through interactive reading.
Online Platforms: For those looking to preview books, YouTube offers many children’s book readings. This can be especially useful for teletherapy, providing a virtual story time experience.

Conclusion

Bibliotherapy, as Tammy Van Hollander demonstrates, offers a unique way to bridge cognitive and emotional healing through stories. Whether you are a play therapist, educator, or parent, integrating bibliotherapy can foster emotional growth, help children process their experiences, and create lasting connections. As Tammy emphasizes, trust in the process and the child’s natural inclination to heal within a safe and connected environment. Books can provide not only a pathway for expression but a shared journey of healing for both child and therapist.

Categories: : Bibliotherapy, Play Therapy, Podcast