Touching Stories in Bibliotherapeutic Practice and Professional Development

1. Touching Stories in Bibliotherapeutic Practice and Professional Development Juhani IhanusUniversity of Helsinki Oulu 18.2.2005

2. Reflective practice may enable(Bolton, Allan & Drucquer 2004, 197): • sensitive, fruitful review of ‘forgotten’ areas of practice; • critical study of personal decision-making processes; • constructive awareness of relationships with fellow professionals; • analysis of hesitations, skill and knowledge gaps;

3. Reflective practice may enable(Bolton, Allan & Drucquer 2004, 197): • relief of stress by tackling problematic or painful episodes; • identification of learning needs; • dissemination of experience and expertise to colleagues; • increase of confidence in professional practice.

4. Writing and personal development(Sampson & Hunt 1998, 201): • “Literary” or product-oriented work • self-exploration to produce a literary work • “Writerly” or process-oriented work • self-help writing • Therapeutic (interactive) work incorporating writing and oriented around the textuality of the self • reflective practice of the professionals in the fields of therapy, counselling and care practices • forms of therapy such as poetry therapy and narrative therapy

5. The process cycle of writing • Writing  Feedback  Identification and Recognition  More Personal and Expressive Communication  Understanding and Insight  Integration  Further Writing/Journeying

6. Core self Identity Social self Object relation Social contact Interpersonal I – Thou Face to face Transference Internet self Web self (avatar) The self as a message Net contact Contact fantasy Hyper-or hypopersonal Other – Other Interface Interference ”Old world” Virtual reality

7. Linear Analogic Book Writing Emotional Existential anxiety To be or not to be Hypermediated Digital Textual flow Audio-visuo-verbal expression Postemotional Ecstatic To log in or not to log in ”Old world” Virtual reality

8. The self tells about the world Guilt Inhibition Interpretation Grief Work Competence Chalkboard Self-narrative is the world Pleasure Impulse Construction Forgetfullness Performance Omnipotence Play space ”Old world” Virtual reality

9. Some methods of personal and professional development involving writing (modified from Daniels & Feltham 2004, 186) • Narrative • Stream of consciousness • Dream recall and associations • Poetry and creative writing

10. Some exercises • Memorizing specific events • Anticipating future events • Letters to oneself • Unsent letters to others • Self-perception and -characterization • Own obituary

11. Some exercises • Dialogues with one’s strong self, weak self, extraverted self, introverted self, etc. • My (family, work, group) environment • My traumata • My successes • Planning diary • Hopes and fears

12. Dimensions of creativity • Creative processes characterized by complexity and even chaotic states • Creative acts seeking dynamic balance at the borderline between chaos and order, reaching self-reflection and self-organization • Open to experience = open to fresh perceptions and expressions

13. Dimensions of creativity • Creativity resists premature closure • Intuitive abilities combined with trained skills • Aesthetically elegant good solutions • Courage to cope with anxieties and ambiguities • Courage to wait and listen in the state of unknowing, anticipating futures (”leaps”)