Bibliotherapy, a tool to promote children's development

We think our life through narratives and the narratives we build guide our future organization, our emotional processes, and interpersonal relationships. 

Bibliotherapy uses books, carefully chosen, or other reading materials. It is a dynamic and interactive process that allows discussion and analysis of situations in a non-frightening way, which promotes insight and helps in the creation of new meanings.

Project of Bibliotherapy 

I had the chance to work for some time in a project of bibliotherapy, combining a personal interest on the benefits of writing and reading, but also a professional one, where bibliotherapy is an important tool used in the context of clinical intervention. 

In this project called “Abrindo Portas para o Futuro através da Leitura e da Reflexão" [“Opening Doors to the Future through Reading and Reflection"] , I was responsible for designing and implementing a developmental bibliotherapy intervention for children aged between 7 to 10 years old. 

The main goal of the bibliotherapy intervention was to promote children hope levels and to think about the future. 

This project was under the Municipal Reading Plan of Funchal City Hall. 

Professional training given under the topic of bibliotherapy and other activities promoted

• 2 hour Workshop “Biblioterapia como ferramenta para a promoção do desenvolvimento pessoal” (“Bibliotherapy as a tool for promoting personal development”)  aimed at school teachers and other educators under the II Seminário Arte, Bibliotecas e Cultura promoted by Câmara de Lobos City Hall (march, 2023).

• Multiple Workshops under the topic “Biblioterapia como estratégia de inclusão” (Bibliotherapy as an inclusion strategy) for 1) Agora Speakers (2019), 2) Funchal City Hall (2017 e 2013), Senior University of Funchal (2014) and Secretaria Regional da Educação (2013).

• Several bibliotherapy activities for children, as part of reading promotion programs developed by Funchal City Hall (2008-2015).