Best Self Help Books

In my interactions with other therapists, I have often heard them remark on the superficiality and temporality of self-help books. There is a definite belief in the therapy world that the “real” therapy is done by and in the presence of a therapist. Scholars believe that the lack of regulation in the self-help industry is concerning and that caution should be taken. They profess that self-help books should be written to follow professional standards and guidelines and not because someone wants to make a buck. It is disturbing that these scholars believe that they are above the need to secure a profit and that the intent of research is always, or routinely, purely academic. Even more disturbing is the idea that us people, who read self-help books, are idiots who cannot dicern a good book from a bad book.

For me, there have been many life changing books and I believe that I am my books - a sort of ambulant library. It is not the only thing that defines me, but it is certainly an important component. Many times books give me an opportunity to change my thinking, other times it provides me with an opportunity to express my feelings. And, at other times, books have provided me with a much needed escape need for my healing. Cinematherapy.com suggests that films, similar to books, provide a way to use laughter as medicine, crying for emotional catharsys, hope and encouragement, to question negative self beliefs, and to nurture strengths.

As expected, research has not been able to scientifically document the success of bibliotherapy, even though self-help books and other types of inspirational and motivational works of literature abound. On the other hand, scholars agree that bibliotherapy serves the purposes of validating or normalizing experiences, providing alternative solutions, deeper understandings, and facts, and to encourage and motivate. They also encourage people to have discussions with others on what they have read. Scholars advocate the use of bibliotherapy as an adjunct to live therapy.

An old friend of mine who prides himself on not ever changing always remarked that books are enslaving and mind washing. He would continually tell me to stop reading or else I would fall into the brain washed masses. Because I hadn’t read enough books (ha!), I thought he was right. Regardless, his words had no effect because I couldn’t stop reading. I am not sure whether I need the escape, the validation, the exitement, or I just needed to be enslaved. Now, after reading so many more words of wisdom, I would like to challenge him by saying that we are all enslaved by what surrounds us whether that be a book, a family member, or a social responsibility. I choose books for my jail time.