Aug 30, 2014
Dr Raj Persaud talks to Jennifer Strickland and Julia Walker about Bibliotherapy
Bibliotherapy uses books, fiction, short stories, poetry, fragments, readings, quotes and texts to help people with mental health difficulties. So how does it work and how could you go about getting yourself a bit of bibliotherapy?
Jennifer Strickland
Jennifer has over 20 years’ experience working in mental
health in a variety of settings, including acute, forensics and day services. Due
to the growing demand for bibliotherapy, funding was secured for a 2 year
project to help deliver and develop bibliotherapy in Kirklees Libraries. She has
always been passionate about literature and the power of the written word,
having seen the benefits of it whilst working with elderly clients.
Julie Walker, Bibliotherapist, Kirklees Libraries
Julie has been working in reader development and bibliotherapy for
14 years. She is a former psychiatric community nurse, adult education
tutor working in areas of social exclusion and was reader-in-residence
at Wakefield Prison for 18 months. Since Julie learnt to read she seriously
thinks that there has not been a day that’s passed when she hasn’t read
a book. Julie will be talking about the benefits of bibliotherapy, it’s relevance for
improving outcomes for people with mental health and wellbeing issues,
advocacy and partnerships.