ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book begins with a descriptive definition of the field and explores the dynamics of the bibliotherapeutic process and the goals that the process is meant to further. It examines the three major components, such as beginning with the literature, moving on to the facilitator, and turning finally to the participant. The book is designed for classroom use, for in-service training of practicing mental-health professionals, and for private study by librarians, teachers, nurses, occupational and creative therapists, and any interested lay persons. It presents the dynamics brought into play by the element of the basic triad under discussion, and the rest of each part is devoted to related strategies and procedures. The book provides bibliographic information about the original source and/or the collection in which a given item can be found; this information is contained in the "Bibliotherapeutic Materials Cited".
