bibliotherapy
noun
bib·lio·ther·a·py
ˌbi-blē-ə-ˈther-ə-pē 
-ˈthe-rə-
: the use of reading materials for help in solving personal problems or for psychiatric therapy
also
: the reading materials so used
Examples of bibliotherapy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Developmental bibliotherapy occurs in schools, libraries and in programs serving youth, while clinical bibliotherapy is reserved for psychotherapy.
—
Literary Hub,
16 Dec. 2025
Enter bibliotherapy, the practice of using literature to heal.
—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
Rumble, who initially wasn’t familiar with bibliotherapy—or other forms of art therapy—encountered it while studying abroad in England during her training to become a therapist.
—
Keyaira Boone,
Essence,
25 Apr. 2025
Scientists are now studying how bibliotherapy can be used to increase mental well-being.
—
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi,
Discover Magazine,
8 Feb. 2022
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Literary Hub,
16 Dec. 2025
Enter bibliotherapy, the practice of using literature to heal.
—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
Rumble, who initially wasn’t familiar with bibliotherapy—or other forms of art therapy—encountered it while studying abroad in England during her training to become a therapist.
—
Keyaira Boone,
Essence,
25 Apr. 2025
Scientists are now studying how bibliotherapy can be used to increase mental well-being.
—
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi,
Discover Magazine,
8 Feb. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Bibliotherapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bibliotherapy. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
bibliotherapy
noun
bib·lio·ther·a·py
-ˈther-ə-pē
plural bibliotherapies
: the use of selected reading materials as therapeutic adjuvants in medicine and in psychiatry
also
: guidance in the solution of personal problems through directed reading
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