Bibliotherapy Basics
The Foundation
Flexible online course
Designed and delivered by Dr Susan McLaine through the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA)
A gentle, experiential introduction to the work.
About the course
Bibliotherapy Basics is a seven-week, facilitated course that offers a reflective way of meeting story and understanding how bibliotherapy works in practice.
It begins with your own experience, inviting you to meet bibliotherapy for yourself before gently exploring how to shape reflective reading experiences for others.
The course follows a guided, facilitated structure with a flexible pace and a suggested rhythm of learning. This steady rhythm allows for deeper reflection, meaningful engagement and a growing understanding of the work.
Optional Zoom sessions are offered throughout the course for those who wish to connect, reflect and explore the work in conversation.
Theory is woven gently through practice rather than taught separately, allowing insight to arise through participation, reflection and conversation.
ALIA-Endorsed and recognised for 30 CPD hours.
Open to ALIA members and non-members.
Who this course welcomes
This course welcomes those drawn to working with story in ways that support reflection, connection and wellbeing.
It is often taken by library and information professionals, educators, community It is often taken by library and information professionals across public, school, special, health and academic libraries, as well as educators, community services, counsellors and others interested in how story nurtures wellbeing.
No prior experience is required. Curiosity, care and a love of reading are enough.
The learning experience
The course is experiential and reflective. Each level builds on the one before it, allowing understanding to grow through experience.
Through the course, you will begin to:
experience bibliotherapy directly before shaping a simple experience for another
understand how literature supports wellbeing and reflection
explore fiction, nonfiction and poetry as part of the work
design and offer a simple reflective reading experience
notice how your own responses inform your way of working
By the end, you will have a grounded understanding of bibliotherapy and a beginning sense of how it may be offered in your own setting.
Course structure
The course unfolds across four levels:
• Foundations
• Stories
• Poetry
• Practice
Course format and options
Facilitated online course with a flexible structure and guided progression.
Optional Zoom sessions are offered for connection, questions and reflection.
Course details
Duration: 7 weeks (including a two-week planning period)
Time commitment: approximately 6 hours per week
CPD Hours: 30 CPD hours (ALIA CPD Scheme)
Certificate provided by ALIA
Requirements: internet access and a device (Moodle platform)
Registration and fees
Registration is through the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA)
Cost:
ALIA Members – AUD $550
Non-Members – AUD $750
Participant reflections
“An excellent course. It helped me see how story selection shapes wellbeing outcomes and inspired new ways to design programs in the library.”
“With Susan’s gentle guidance, I rediscovered poetry and found reflection itself to be a meaningful practice. I finished the course with fresh insight and a new appreciation for reading.”
Begin your training
A gentle, steady way of entering the work.
Pathways beyond training
Graduate Gatherings
A welcoming space for Bibliotherapy Australia alumni to reconnect, share practice and keep the learning alive through conversation, reflections and mutual encouragement.
"Each Gathering offers a calm space to pause, reflect and reconnect. It keeps the learning alive in a very real way."
"In the Gatherings, something settles. Listening to others brings new insight, and I leave feeling grounded and encouraged."
Mentoring Program
Personalised one-to-one guidance for those bringing bibliotherapy to others, offering a grounded and focused space to clarify your approach, refine your practice and grow with confidence and care.
“During mentoring, Susan helped me think more deeply about how to weave literature and reflection into my own programs. Her warmth, insight and gentle guidance helped me clarify direction and bring new confidence to my practice.”
Many participants choose to continue their learning through the Building Bibliotherapy Skills course, where the focus turns to shaping bibliotherapy sessions and the deeper psychology that underpins the practice.
Begin your training journey
Are you ready to start your foundational training in bibliotherapy and wellbeing?