The pleasure we gain from leisure activities such as reading, art and music is something we are all aware of and maybe tend to take for granted. But have you ever considered that these can have real therapeutic value?
In the case of reading, this connection has been recognised in popular books such as The Novel Cure and The Poetry Pharmacy where novel or poetry recommendations are offered as remedies for specific emotional and psychological issues.
But a more personalised, hands-on, tailed approach to the use of books in therapy has also evolved in the form of a therapeutic approach known as Bibliotherapy, which has caught the attention of Michaela.
The opportunity to combine her pleasure in reading with her work as a therapist has now spurred her to embark upon a bibliotherapy course, with a view to offering this to interested clients in the future.
'I am so excited to have started on this very stimulating online course,' she says.
The course, entitled Bibliotherapy, Literature & Mental Health with Book Therapy, focuses on the therapeutic qualities of all kinds of literature & examines how literature can be utilised for the benefit of our mental and emotional wellbeing.
Bijal Shah, who developed the course, defines Bibliotherapy as ‘A form of art therapy that focuses on leveraging the power of stories to heal’.
Michaela is fascinated to learn more about how stories, poetry, letters and even graphic novels can be vehicles for therapeutic processing of emotion and ultimately, harnessed for learning, self-awareness and healing.
Doing the course over the past couple of weeks has already inspired her to read differently: 'I am actively changing my reading habits - reading more widely, more often and at times when I wouldn’t usually give myself permission to sit down with a good book. That feels good,' she says.
'I am doing the course both for my own personal development and for the benefit of my clients - exploring ways to integrate my learning into my counselling practice.'
Michaela will post updates over the coming months about any developments or additional services we might offer here at Whitley Bay Therapy.
On our FaceBook page she will also be posting regular book related recommendations for mental wellbeing.