Bibliotherapy: An effective therapeutic tool for female sexual dysfunction? - 01/06/11

Doi : 10.1016/j.sexol.2010.06.001

A. Hubin, PhD student ^a,^⁎ , P. De Sutter, PhD ^a, C. Reynaert, PhD ^b
^a Unité de psychologie clinique : émotion, cognition, santé, faculté de psychologie, université catholique de Louvain, place Cardinal-Mercier, 10 à 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
^b Unité de psychologie médicale, cliniques universitaires UCL de Mont-Godinne, avenue Dr-Thérasse, 1 à 5530 Yvoir, Belgium

Corresponding author.

Summary

Object

Bibliotherapy is a concept which leads us to consider the wide range of actual therapeutic approaches. The originality of bibliotherapy lies in the fact that the use of a writing (brochure, manual, book…) constitutes the central element of the help intervention.

Methodology

A review of the literature about the different types of bibliotherapeutic books, about the way these books are used, as well as about the levels of contact with the therapist will be presented. The reflection will thereafter focus on scientifically validated books dealing with female sexual dysfunctions.

Results

Bibliotherapy as treatment for sexual dysfunctions does not equal traditional sex therapies, but it offers an interesting and effective alternative for a specific target audience and a complementary tool to traditional methods.

Discussion

Different factors influencing the effectiveness of the bibliotherapeutic tool are discussed. Some reflections are also proposed to try to determine the profile of the women to whom the bibliotherapeutic tool may be advised.

Conclusions

It is noticed that there exists only a few bibliotherapeutic tools which have been validated for sex therapy. The promotion of further research in this field would therefore be highly pertinent in view of the positive results of previous studies.

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Keywords : Bibliotherapy, Sexuality, Female sexual dysfunction, Hypoactive sexual desire, Anorgasmia, Dyspareunia, Vaginismus

Plan

Également en version française dans ce numéro : Hubin A, De Sutter P, Reynaert C. La bibliothérapie : un outil thérapeutique efficace pour les dysfonctions sexuelles féminines ?