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Through the centuries the philosopher, the critic, and the artist have attributed to the imaginative writer not only intuitive understanding of man's motives and his nature but also power to influence his thinking, to move his heart, and even to alter his behavior. More recently psychiatrists and psychologists have acknowledged that the novelist and playwright have plumbed the deep reaches of man's nature and often anticipated the discoveries of science. Bibliotherapy, drawing upon the insights of both artist and scientist, is grounded in the theory that there is an integral relationship between the dynamics of the personality and the nature of vicarious experience. It is a process of interaction between the personality of the reader and imaginative literature which may engage his emotions and free them for conscious and productive use. (19)
Techniques used to establish contact with patients who are partially or completely out of touch with reality have implications for the practice of bibliotherapy. By entering into the fantasies of patients whose worlds are populated with magical figures, exponents of direct analysis have been able to proceed in their treatment, even of schizophrenics, with favorable results (6, 7, 11, 13). In the treatment of those who have less severe behavior disorders it is a no less crucial problem to establish and maintain contact which will result in amelioration of the patient's condition. The common denominator for successful therapy, regardless of the severity of the illness or the orientation of the therapist, is the capacity