September Lunch & Learn

Bibliotherapy and Play Therapy – “Oh, the stories you’ll tell!”

Program Schedule:

12:00 PM CST Workshop Begins
1:30 PM CST 15 Minute Break
1:45 PM CST Workshop Resumes
3:15 PM CST Workshop Ends

This workshop qualifies for 3 APT CE and in Oklahoma LPC, LMFT and LCSW

• APT Approved Provider 00-091
• OK Social Work CEP #20240025
• OK BBHL Approved CE Provider

*This workshop meets APT’s definition of Live Webinar
*Attendee cameras must be on throughout the webinar to receive CE

Registration is closed.

Course Description:

This training is designed for play therapists in agency, private practice, and school settings who want to learn more about utilizing bibliotherapy as a play therapy intervention. Bibliotherapy (telling stories) is a time honored way of exploring difficult topics. Print material (books, comics, etc.) help children express thoughts and feelings in a safe way. It also helps children understand the situations they face are often universal experiences. Through bibliotherapy, children learn ways others have dealt with big feelings. This workshop explores various ways to effectively use bibliotherapy in the playroom. And bonus: Stories aren’t just for kids! Many of these techniques can also be used in playful work with adults!

This workshop will cover a brief discussion of how bibliotherapy is defined, as well as theories of bibliotherapy (i.e., why does it work). It will include how to choose an appropriate book for a topic. We will also discuss ways to develop appropriate therapeutic interventions using bibliotherapy. Examples of books for special topics (i.e., divorce, grief, anxiety, anger, etc.) will be presented. Participants will be encouraged to share resources they have found useful with the group.

There is no known conflict of interest. None of the materials referenced are produced by the presenter.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand at least 1 reason why bibliotherapy can be useful in the play therapy room
2. Learn at least 1 way bibliotherapy is useful and at least 1 time when bibliotherapy is useful in the play therapy room
3. Learn how to build a useful library of books for general use and special topics in Play Therapy (grief, trauma, foster care, divorce, and others).

Skill Level: All Levels

Presenter: Emma Short, M.S., LPC, RPT-S

Emma Short, M.S., LPC, RPT-S, is in private practice in Elgin, OK. She graduated with her Master of Science from Cameron University in 1998. She has been a Registered Play Therapist- Supervisor since 2013.

References:

1. Heath, M. A., Sheen, D., Leavy, D., Young, E. and Money, K. (2005). Bibliotherapy: A resource to facilitate emotional healing and growth. School Psychology International, 26, 563–580.
2. Malhi, P. & Bharti, B. (2023). Healing with Storybooks: Using Bibliotherapy to Help Children Cope with Death. Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry 39(3), 298-300.
3. Redman, H., Melendez-Torres G.J., Bethel A., Green J. (2024). The impact of school-based creative bibliotherapy interventions on child and adolescent mental health: a systematic review and realist synthesis protocol. Systematic Reviews, 13 (86).
4. Lewis, K. M., Amatya, K., Coffman, M. F., & Ollendick, T. H. (2015). Treating nighttime fears in young children with bibliotherapy: evaluating anxiety symptoms and monitoring behavior change. Journal of Anxiety Disorders. 1(30), 103–112.
5. McNicol S. (2015). Theories of bibliotherapy. In S. Mcnicol & L. Brewster (Eds.) Bibliotherapy. London: Facet Publishing.
6. Ginns-Gruenberg, D. & Bridgman, C. (2021). Using bibliotherapy as a catalyst for change. In H. G. Kaduson & C. E. Schaefer (Eds.), Play therapy with children: Modalities for change (pp. 75–92). American Psychological Association.