BET Your Books: Preparing Your Students to Evaluate Books for Therapy Utilizing the Bibliotherapy Evaluation Tool Dale Pehrsson, Ed.D., NCC, ACS Paula McMillen, Ph.D. Oregon State University

Why are we talking to you? Value for Counselor Educators n We have the professional and ethical mandate to prepare counselors who are responsible in their clinical work n To assist students in the internalization of an evaluative framework that enhances effective practice n In other words, it is inadvisable to suggest that neophyte counselors... wing it

Need for the Project n Widely used in clinical settings n Limited training, tools or strategies for emerging clinicians n Limited tools for practicing counselors n Limited materials for graduate students n Criteria for selecting materials for a working collection n Criteria for selecting materials for clients

Terms for Bibliotherapy n Multiple terms found in the literature –Bilbiocounseling –Biblioguidance –Bibliopsychology –Bookmatching –Literatherapy –Library Therapeutics –Literapeutics –Reading Therapy

Definitions of Bibliotherapy n Use of reading materials for help in solving personal problems or for psychiatric therapy Webster’s Collegiate 10th Ed., 1997 n Literally involves treatment through books Pardeck and Pardeck, 1998 n Guided reading of written materials to help the reader grow in self awareness Harris and Hodges, 1995 n Process of dynamic interaction between the personality of the reader and literature under the guidance of a trained helper Shrodes, 1950

Project Context n Training of Graduate Students n Student Involvement n Complementary Interests –Clinical Psychology & Child Counseling –Use & Love of Literature n Resource Development n Working Alliance & Fun n Getting Tenure!

Literature Review Focus n Child & Adolescent Population n Fiction & Imaginative Literature n School & Agency Counselors n Historical perspective –Early emphases –Shifting fields of practice n Current Applications & Emphases

Bibliotherapeutic Benefits: Why Use It? n Books are Ubiquitous n Increases Self Awareness n Increases Empathetic Understanding of Others n Develops Diversity Sensitivity via Vicarious Immersion n Enhances Insight & Integration n Provides Information & Alternatives

... n Stimulates Discussion of Feelings & Ideas n Clarifies Emerging Values n Promotes Coping Skills n Reduces Stress or Anxiety n Diminishes Sense of Isolation n Stimulates the Telling of Individual’s Story n Develops Ethnic/Cultural Identity n Increases Enjoyment of Literature & Reading

Development of Evaluation Categories and Criteria n Literature Review n Clinical Experience n Theoretical Orientation(s) n Pedagogical Practices n Iterative Student Feedback

Categories and Criteria n Type of Literature n Subject Matter n Readability/Level of Language n Illustrations n Format n Length n Developmental Level n Context n Utility n Value

Project Sequence n Exploratory Model n Lit Review & Tool Development n Editorial Work n Faculty Pilot n Introduce to Graduate Student Curriculum n Student Pilot Project n Student Use, Feedback, Revision n Ongoing Curriculum Adaptations n Dissemination

Bibliotherapeutic Evaluation Tool

Bibliotherapy Training for Graduate Students n Historical Perspectives n Research on Therapeutic Effectiveness n Categorical Exposition n Modeling n Practice n Field Practice n Evaluation and Discussion

Other Anticipated Benefits and Outcomes n Curriculum Refinement n Professional Preparation n Evaluated Material Database n Collection Enhancement & Development n Research & Curriculum Articles n Professional Conference Presentations n Professional Collaboration & Support

Questions ???

Summary n Importance of the Project n Training & Educational Value n Benefits to Practitioners n Benefits to Educators & Students n Interdisciplinary Collaboration n Dissemination n Seeds for Growth