One-Month Certificate Course and Training in Foundations of Bibliotherapy (16 online lectures)
Organized by Rabindrik Psychotherapy Research Institute Trust (RPRIT), Registered Academic Trust by Indian Trust Act,1882, REGD.NO.150600103, DARPAN ID WB/2025/0514195
Background:About the trust: This trust is non-profitable registered academic trust of higher learning virtual research institute aiming at educating students about research for the welfare of the larger community through online and blended education. International students are welcome here. The trust regularly inviting applications for various courses. Both Internal and External Faculties are teaching here. The trust has more than 500 students.
What is Bibliotherapy?
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), bibliotherapy is a therapeutic approach that uses structured reading materials to support psychotherapy, promote personal growth, facilitate communication, and enhance self-concept
Bibliotherapy has emerged as an interdisciplinary field that integrates literature, psychology, counseling, education, library science, and mental health.Bibliotherapy offers diverse career opportunities for psychologists, counselors, librarians, teachers, social workers, occupational therapists, and researchers who wish to use literature as a therapeutic and developmental tool.
Myths about bibliotherapy
Several misconceptions about bibliotherapy continue to limit its acceptance in clinical, educational, and counselling settings. The following are some common myths and the corresponding facts.
Myth: Bibliotherapy simply means reading books.
Fact: Bibliotherapy is a structured, goal-oriented intervention in which carefully selected reading materials are used to promote emotional insight, cognitive restructuring, and behavioural change. Reading alone is not bibliotherapy unless it is guided by therapeutic objectives.
Myth: Any book can be used for bibliotherapy.
Fact: Effective bibliotherapy requires the careful selection of literature based on the reader's age, psychological needs, reading ability, cultural background, and therapeutic goals. Not every book has therapeutic value for every individual.
Myth: Bibliotherapy is only for people with mental illness.
Fact: Bibliotherapy is beneficial for both clinical and non-clinical populations. It is widely used to enhance resilience, emotional intelligence, stress management, self-esteem, coping skills, and personal growth, as well as to support individuals with psychological disorders.
Myth: Bibliotherapy can replace psychotherapy.
Fact: Bibliotherapy is generally considered a complementary intervention rather than a replacement for psychotherapy. It may be effective as a stand-alone approach for mild problems, but individuals with severe psychological disorders usually require assessment and treatment by qualified mental health professionals.
Myth: Reading automatically produces therapeutic change.
Fact: Therapeutic change occurs through reflection, emotional engagement, discussion, and application of insights. Simply reading a book does not guarantee psychological improvement.
Myth: Bibliotherapy is suitable only for children.
Fact: Bibliotherapy has been successfully used with children, adolescents, adults, older adults, couples, families, and patients with various physical and psychological conditions.
Myth: Fiction is the only material used in bibliotherapy.
Fact: Bibliotherapy can use novels, short stories, poetry, biographies, memoirs, self-help books, philosophical writings, religious texts, and other forms of literature, depending on the therapeutic purpose.
Myth: Anyone can conduct bibliotherapy without training.
Fact: Although teachers and librarians may facilitate developmental bibliotherapy, therapeutic bibliotherapy requires appropriate training in psychological assessment, ethical practice, literature selection, and guided discussion.
Myth: Bibliotherapy is supported only by anecdotal evidence.
Fact: Numerous randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews have demonstrated the effectiveness of bibliotherapy for conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress, and adjustment problems, particularly when based on evidence-based therapeutic principles.
Myth: Bibliotherapy works the same for everyone.
Fact: The effectiveness of bibliotherapy depends on factors such as the reader's motivation, literacy level, cultural background, readiness for change, quality of the selected literature, and the skill of the facilitator.
Relation with Rabindrik Psychotherapy
In Rabindrik Psychotherapy, the therapeutic process is not explained through the concept of the unconscious mind. Instead, consciousness is understood as a continuous flow through three interconnected layers: Murta, Raag, and Saraswat. Murta represents immediate sensory and perceptual experience, Raag is the dynamic emotional layer where experiences acquire positive, negative, or neutral meaning, and Saraswat is the layer of wisdom, integration, and higher understanding.
During Bibliotherapy, the reader engages with a literary character through the Raag layer of consciousness. Emotional resonance with the character initiates a process of cognitive framing and reframing, transforming negative or rigid interpretations into more balanced and meaningful ones. As this transformation unfolds, consciousness progresses from Murta through Raag toward Saraswat, where insight, harmony, and value-oriented understanding emerge. Thus, in Rabindrik Psychotherapy, Bibliotherapy is viewed as a conscious process of psychological transformation rather than an exploration of the unconscious.
Objective of the Course
1. Understand the foundations, principles, and applications of Bibliotherapy.
2. Explore developmental, clinical, and Rabindrik approaches to Bibliotherapy.
3. Apply psychological concepts through literature-based interventions.
4. Understand ethical and professional practices in Bibliotherapy.
5. Gain foundational knowledge of research methods used in Bibliotherapy studies.
Syllabus:
Module 1: Nature and Foundations of Bibliotherapy, Case history taking.
Module 2: Types of Bibliotherapy.
Module 3: Psychological Approaches in Bibliotherapy.
Module 4: Professional Practice and Research methods in Bibliotherapy,
Academic Calendar
The Certificate Course in Bibliotherapy will be conducted over one month with 4 contact hours per week (16 hours in total). Week 1 will cover Module 1:Nature and Foundations of Bibliotherapy, including the concept, scope, principles, and case history taking. Week 2 will focus on Module 2: Types of Bibliotherapy, covering developmental, clinical, creative, and group bibliotherapy. Week 3 will cover Module 3: Psychological Approaches in Bibliotherapy, including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, humanistic, positive psychology, and narrative approaches. Week 4 will cover Module 4: Professional Practice and Research in Bibliotherapy, focusing on the role and competencies of the bibliotherapist, ethical and professional practice, programme planning, basic research methodology, outcome evaluation, and course assessment.
Evaluation Scheme: Theory Examination (50 Marks; 4 modules × 10 Marks) and practical (10 Marks)
Certification Requirement:
- Minimum 75% attendance
- Completion of all examinations
- Minimum 50% aggregate marks
Course Details
*Duration: 1 Month.
*Registration Fee is non-refundable (Inclusive of GST): Rs.472(Rs.400 tuition fee and 18% GST) till 25th July and Rs.481 (Rs.450 and 18% GST) after 25th July.
*Last Date of Registration:31st July 2026
*Class Starts: 1st August 2026
*Class Ends: 1st September 2026
*Day & Timing: Thursday & Saturday at 7 to 9 PM
*Seats: 20 (First Come, First Served)
*Certificate: Certificate will be provided after training completion. A mark sheet will be awarded only upon completion of both theoretical and practical components.
Contact us:
Dr Rama Manna - Academic coordinator
M: +919903542602
Farha - Program Coordinator
M: +919998301691
Ms.Debarati Nath-Project linked Bibliotherapy trainer. M: +91 75959 92656
Payment Details:
UPI ADDRESS: 9830010547@hdfcbank
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