Bibliotherapy and Psychotherapy

and values of bibliotherapy in the treatment of emotional and men-tal illness. The discussion will be introduced with brief considerations of personality development, psychopathology, concepts of mental and emotional health, and psychotherapy from standpoints of goals, prin-ciples, techniques, and problems. We shall also want to review the rationale for thinking of bibliotherapy in connection with the treat-ment of the mentally ill. Such a background is necessary before we can see clearly the possible roles of bibliotherapy in the present treat-ment of psychological disorders. The development of a human personality is an extremely compli-cated process. Here we shall not attempt to describe the details; rather we shall emphasize the diversity of factors that are involved in the growth and development of a human personality. At birth the individual exists largely as a potential. His very survival is dependent upon those who care for him; his future development is shaped first by the start they give him and subsequently by all of the experiences which he has on his way to adulthood. Physically and psychologically the individual will go through different phases of growth and de-veIopment.ls2 In each phase different needs and activities are pre-potent. For instance, in the earliest months, eating, eliminating, and sleeping are dominant activities. Subsequently different periods are characterized by the special prominence of learning to walk, talk, control sphincters. As the years go by, at different stages, the indi-vidual will be especially involved in developing the nature of his relationships with people, of acquiring basic knowledge and skills. His sexual interest, curiosity, and activity will go through complex phases of development