We all know that reading is soul-building and, in general, there is a strong correlation between literacy and education.
But the fact that the power of literature to heal is less well known.
Yet if we think more deeply about what people used stories, songs and dances for from the very beginning, there is a strong suspicion that pleasure, self-expression or self-therapy and healing were behind artistic activities even before the word therapy was known.
 
Several types of literature therapy (bibliotherapy) can be distinguished:

• as a complement to outpatient and hospital treatment for people with mental disorders, similar to art therapy
• as a self-improvement and mental health therapy
• individual or group sessions
• group sessions by age group, e.g. adolescent groups, or groups for senior citizens, etc.

 How can you heal with literature

The beneficial influence of literature is used  mainly as group therapy. The group does not analyse the story, does not scrutinise it as in a literature class, but works with the story, relates to the story. Literary works - which can be fiction, fairy tales, song lyrics or even comic strips - are just a means to bring a "problem" to the surface and dissolve it. It is how the text affects the reader that matters. What thoughts and emotions it evokes, what direction the reader is moved in by literature.
You should know that group unity always has power. Not only  you share your own thoughts with others - which in itself can be developmental - but the opinions of others will influence you, helping you to objectively see a stumbling block. Group therapies are excellent not only for self-awareness, but also for tolerance.
 
Have you ever had the feeling that a short story or song lyric has found your heart? As if it was addressed to you. That's the state, that's the feeling.
A story, a poem or a lyric can articulate for us feelings and thoughts that might never break through to the surface of our consciousness on their own.

Kapcsolódók

Nature and literature

The poem as a mantra

Healing writing in practice

Have some fun with literature!

Writing as psychology