Bibliotherapy

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Bibliotherapy: The Power of Words

In recent years there has been a growing interest in prescribing books for people with different conditions. Called 'bibliotherapy', the prescribing of books to people for therapeutic reasons is based on the concept that reading is a healing experience.

Bibliotherapy often involves a health professional recommending specific books about particular conditions to particular patients.

The success of the Dublin City Libraries/HSE Book Prescription Scheme in Dublin's North Inner City, which started in 2007, led to several other schemes being launched in Ireland.

The Power of Words is a national bibliotherapy programme launched by the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), the HSE, An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, and public library authorities around the country. A list of 30 books has been selected by a group of HSE psychologists, and will be available in public libraries.

Fourteen library authorities have received grants towards the purchase of the recommended books from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government under the National Disability Strategy.

Every GP in the country has received a copy of the list from the ICGP: patients with psychological issues can then be 'prescribed' a relevant text by doctors and psychologists.

Read about bibliotherapy in The Irish Times