Bibliotherapy simply means helping through the use of books. Reading a book on a topic or event or problem that is difficult to understand or talk about can help the reader cope with similar situations, and sometimes offer solutions or closure.
The Bibliotherapy Education Project defines the two types of Bibliotherapy as:
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Clinical Bibliotherapy is implemented by trained helping professionals dealing with significant emotional or behavioral problems
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Developmental Bibliotherapy may be used by teachers, librarians or lay helpers to facilitate normal development and self-actualization with an essentially healthy population