Integrating self-help books into psychotherapy
Abstract
This article describes a systematic and integral method of incorporating self‐help books into psychotherapy as a collaborative function. We address the distinctions between self‐help and bibliotherapy, consider bibliotherapy as adjunctive or integrative to psychotherapy, and outline the multiple uses of bibliotherapy for clinical purposes. How to apply self‐help books in psychotherapy and ways to select books are illustrated by a case example. Indications and contraindications for bibliotherapy in therapy are outlined. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol/In Session 59: 177–186, 2003.
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Bibliotherapy operates in a way similar to therapist-led interventions, as books or manuals incorporate psychotherapeutic principles aimed at increasing awareness of negative emotions, providing coping strategies, and encouraging practical application.
“It operates in a way similar to therapist-led interventions, as books or manuals incorporate psychotherapeutic principles aimed at increasing individuals’ awareness of negative emotions, providing effective coping strategies, and encouraging the practical application of these methods in daily life (18, 19).”
From Recent developments in bibliotherapy for adolescent depression (2025) · cites this paper as [18]
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Post stroke depression: the sequelae of cerebral stroke
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Recent developments in bibliotherapy for adolescent depression
Liao, F., Liang, J., Zhang, M., Liang, W., Zhang, C., & Yun, X. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1681462 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
- Authors
- Campbell, L. F., & Smith, T. P.
- Affiliations
- University of Georgia (US)
- University of Scranton (US)
- Corresponding author
- Campbell, Linda F.
- Venue
- Journal of Clinical Psychology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2003-01-27
- Volume
- 59
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 177-186
- ISSN
- 0021-9762 (ISSN-L)
- 1097-4679
- OpenAlex
- W2043291773
- Cited by
- 89
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 2.85
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Clinical Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Conservation › Art Therapy and Mental Health
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Assessments
- Keywords
- self-help books, bibliotherapy, psychotherapy, integrative psychotherapy, adjunctive therapy, book selection, indications and contraindications, collaborative therapy
- MeSH terms
- Bibliotherapy, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Psychotherapy, Self Care
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