Bibliotherapy and Graphic Medicine

While most bibliotherapy activities focus on the use of written text, whether in the form of novels, poetry or self-help books, in recent years there has been a growing interest in the use of graphic novels and comics as a form of bibliotherapy. Although graphic novels are, perhaps, most often seen as a library resource for teenagers or less literate readers, there are a growing number of highly sophisticated texts exploring health-related issues, such as Davis B’s Epileptic; Brian Fies’ Mom’s Cancer; and Nicola Streeten’s Billy, Me and You. This chapter explores the ways in which graphic novels and comics can be used as an effective form of bibliotherapy. It considers how the medium can be particularly effective in supporting important features of bibliotherapy such as providing reassurance; connection with others; alternative perspectives; and models of identity. It then draws on examples of bibliotherapy collections from different library settings to demonstrate some of the ways in which graphic texts can be used in bibliotherapy practice.