Foundations of Psychodynamic Bibliotherapy

Stories as Symbolic and Therapeutic Space

Long before stories were studied, they were lived.They helped people cross from one season of life to another, offered rituals of leaving and arriving, and created bridges between what must be left behind and what has not yet taken shape.

Stories carried fear, grief, and longing when experience had no language — and they still do.

This foundational module explores how literary and poetic texts begin to function when they enter spaces of care, learning, and emotional encounter. Across eight chapters, participants follow a developmental arc: from the moment a book is opened, through the cultivation of the bibliotherapeutic ear, into questions of identity, myth, and psychological change — and toward the delicate work of endings and new beginnings.

Stories are approached as symbolic landscapes: spaces where inner worlds are projected and emotional life can move in ways ordinary conversation cannot contain. Through psychodynamic theory, close reading, and experiential practice, participants learn how texts speak beneath their surface — through image, metaphor, rhythm, and silence — and how these dimensions support growth and integration in therapeutic, educational, and creative settings.

This module forms the foundation of the annual program, shaping how stories — and selves — will be listened to throughout the year.

What You Will Learn:

• Introduction to bibliotherapyCore theoretical foundations and practical applications.

• Symbolism, narrative, and psychotherapyUnderstanding how literature facilitates psychological movement and change.

• Emotional processes in readingWorking with text, reader response, and emotional themes.

• Writing as reflective practiceUsing writing as a tool for self-exploration and meaning-making.

• Myth, fairy tales, and narrative psychologyTracing identity, archetypes, and inner life through story.

Course Structure:

• 8 weekly online sessions2.5 hours each(40 academic hours total, including 16 hours of independent study)

• Assigned readings and preparatory exercises before each session

• Active participation requiredMinimum 80% attendance

• Final reflective projectIntegrating theoretical and experiential learning

  
  

Schedule:

Tuesdays, 7.30-10PM CET

• April 7Chapter 1: Once Upon a TimeWhere bibliotherapy and therapy meet

• April 14Chapter 2: When a Book Is OpenedThe text as a projective field

• April 28Chapter 3: The Story WithinCultivating the bibliotherapeutic ear

• May 5Chapter 4: I Tell, Therefore I AmNarrative and the formation of self

• May 12Chapter 5: The Long and Winding RoadTransformation, development, and journeys

• May 19Chapter 6: The Different Facets of the SelfMyth, fairy tales, and inner life

• May 26Chapter 7: Opening a PortalHow texts are chosen — and why it matters

• June 2Chapter 8: When One Door Closes…Endings, transitions, and new beginnings

Who Is This Course For?

This module is designed for individuals interested in bibliotherapy and its therapeutic and educational applications, including:

• Therapists and counselors

• Psychologists and mental health professionals

• Educators

• Writers and creative practitioners

• Anyone working with texts in emotionally attuned settings

Methodology:

A rich combination of:

• Online lectures

• Reflective and expressive writing exercises

• Group discussion and shared inquiry

• Case studies and applied examples

• Guided independent study

  
  

Learning Platform:

• Live Zoom sessions

• Digital learning materials and articles

• Online discussion spaces to support integration between sessions

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Tuition Fees:

• Full Price: €590