Developmental Bibliotherapy

Using Young Adult Literature to Mitigate the Disruption caused by Mental Illness

Young Adult literature encourages readers to see the world through different eyes with confidence, courage and a growth mindset.

Developmental Bibliotherapy is both A PROCESS and an OUTCOME.

The process …

Guided Reading programs for Young Adults and Activities designed to promote self-reflection
Conducted by Trusted Adults such as Teacher Librarians & Classroom Teachers
Informally during class time or library visits
Using Young Adult Fiction written by trusted and respected authors

THE OUTCOME …

During self-reflection activities students become aware of a change in their attitudes and values
Self-Reflection can invoke comments such as “I used to think… ” or “I didn’t realise… ” or “Now I understand …”

Developmental Bibliotherapy

Encourages a Growth Mindset that welcomes new experiences.
Cultivates Core Confidence by nurturing Hope, Efficacy, Resilience and Optimism.
Reframes Eco-Anxiety by directing teens towards the Adaptive (Fight) response to Ecological Grief and away from the Maladaptive (Flight and Freeze) responses
Confront fears, introduce diverse perspectives, remove feelings of isolation & validate experiences
Reduce the disruption caused by mental illness by replacing stigmas and stereotypes with knowledge and appropriate language thereby increasing the likelihood of Early Intervention