Book Riot - The Podcast: Episode Summary

Title: Talking Bibliotherapy with Emily Rumble
Host: Rebecca Schinsky
Guest: Emily Rumble, Author of Bibliotherapy in the Bronx
Release Date: April 16, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Book Riot - The Podcast, hosts Jeff O’Neal and Rebecca Schinsky delve into the transformative world of bibliotherapy with guest Emily Rumble. Emily, a social worker and bibliotherapist, discusses her forthcoming book, Bibliotherapy in the Bronx, exploring how literature serves as a powerful tool for mental health and social justice.

Emily Rumble's Background

[01:02] Rebecca Schinsky:
“We are joined by Emily Rumble, a social worker and bibliotherapist with her new book, Bibliotherapy in the Bronx.”

[02:43] Emily Rumble:
“Since I was a little girl, I've always been a library kid... Ms. Parkins made reading so much fun in her classroom... attending the Greater Hartford Academy of the Performing Arts... major in English language and literature... first learned about bibliotherapy at the University of York.”

Emily traces her lifelong relationship with books back to her early years in the library and her education, highlighting key influences that shaped her path toward bibliotherapy.

Understanding Bibliotherapy

[07:46] Emily Rumble:
“As a therapist, my specialty has been training with IFBPT, and they have a website, fbpt.org where you can request information on credentialing...”

[08:17] Emily Rumble:
“Bibliotherapy is not a regulated term, but my expertise comes from formal training as a licensed clinical social worker and specific training at the Institute for Bibliopoetry Therapy.”

Emily explains that bibliotherapy blends her social work credentials with specialized training, emphasizing the importance of professional background in effective bibliotherapeutic practice.

Practical Application in Therapy

[13:08] Rebecca Schinsky:
“How do you incorporate bibliotherapy with your clients? Once you see a client who might benefit, what does that look like?”

[13:24] Emily Rumble:
“Many of my clients are bibliophiles who naturally bring books into therapy. For example, a client might say, ‘Did you read Elizabeth Acevedo's recent book? It triggered me because…’ This opens up a therapeutic discussion around their emotional responses.”

Emily describes how bibliotherapy is integrated into therapy sessions, using clients’ engagement with literature to facilitate emotional and psychological exploration.

Case Study: Evelyn

[17:40] Rebecca Schinsky:
“Could we talk about one of your case studies like Evelyn’s to understand how bibliotherapy works in practice?”

[18:36] Emily Rumble:
“Evelyn’s story is special because she worked with me for years before revealing that her brother passed away in a tragic accident. We used the fairy tale Hansel and Gretel to help her access and express her grief.”

Emily shares Evelyn’s journey, illustrating how metaphor and literature can uncover and address deep-seated emotions and traumas within therapy.

The Power of Literature in Therapy

[22:04] Emily Rumble:
“Literature is transformative because it allows us to engage with our full range of emotions in a safe, judgment-free space... Books are the greatest companions because someone wrote that story, and it imparts wisdom and gems as we engage with it.”

Emily emphasizes the unique capacity of literature to facilitate personal growth and emotional healing, highlighting its role as a non-judgmental medium for self-reflection.

Bibliotherapy and Social Justice

[34:15] Emily Rumble:
“Engaging with diverse stories changes our attitudes towards difference and makes us more aware. Book banning is a social justice issue because it restricts access to literature that fosters personal and collective liberation.”

Emily discusses the intersection of bibliotherapy and social justice, stressing the importance of access to diverse narratives and the threats posed by book banning to societal well-being.

[35:08] Emily Rumble:
“Public libraries are more than places to access books; they are safe spaces for communities. The defunding of libraries is dystopian because it strips away essential resources for mental health and community support.”

She highlights the critical role of public libraries in providing safe and supportive environments, particularly in marginalized communities like the Bronx.

Trauma-Informed Romance in Bibliotherapy

[39:17] Emily Rumble:
“Trauma-informed literature doesn’t paint a pretty picture but offers an honest portrayal of how traumatic experiences change us and provide hope for healing.”

Emily explores how romance novels can be used in bibliotherapy to address trauma, using honest and emotionally resonant narratives to help readers process and heal from their experiences.

[40:12] Emily Rumble:
“With trauma-informed literature, we learn that healing is possible even if it’s not a pretty journey. It’s about accepting the trauma and finding ways to persist and find beauty in daily life.”

She underscores the importance of authenticity in literature used for therapeutic purposes, ensuring that readers find relatable and hopeful paths to healing.

Conclusion and Additional Resources

[42:54] Emily Rumble:
“I hope that Bibliotherapy in the Bronx makes readers feel seen, witnessed, and celebrated. It’s a resource for therapists, healers, teachers, and librarians, celebrating the public library’s role in personal and collective liberation.”

Emily provides listeners with ways to connect and explore her work further:

• Social Media: TikTok, Threads, Instagram, Substack, Blue Sky (@Literary_therapy_nyc)
• Website: literacytherapy.nyc1word.podiapodia.com
• Services: Virtual bibliotherapy sessions available through her website

[43:33] Rebecca Schinsky:
“Thank you so much, Emily. Best of luck with your book.”

Emily expresses her gratitude and enthusiasm for her book’s impact, aiming to validate and support individuals through their love of reading and bibliotherapy.

Key Takeaways

• Bibliotherapy Defined: The therapeutic use of literature to support mental health and personal growth.
• Professional Integration: Effective bibliotherapy requires a strong foundation in mental health training and specialized bibliotherapeutic techniques.
• Emotional Engagement: Literature provides a safe medium for clients to explore and express complex emotions.
• Social Justice: Access to diverse literature is crucial for personal and collective healing, and book banning poses significant threats to mental health resources.
• Trauma-Informed Literature: Honest and relatable narratives in literature can aid in the processing and healing of trauma.

Notable Quotes

• Emily Rumble on Literature’s Power:
  “Books are the greatest companions because someone wrote that story, and it imparts wisdom and gems as we engage with it.”
  [22:04]

• Discussion on Social Justice:
  “Book banning is a social justice issue because it restricts access to literature that fosters personal and collective liberation.”
  [34:15]

• On Trauma-Informed Literature:
  “Trauma-informed literature doesn’t paint a pretty picture but offers an honest portrayal of how traumatic experiences change us and provide hope for healing.”
  [39:17]

Final Thoughts

Emily Rumble’s insights into bibliotherapy illuminate the profound ways in which literature intersects with mental health and social justice. Her approach underscores the necessity of accessible and diverse narratives in fostering personal healing and societal well-being. Bibliotherapy in the Bronx promises to be a pivotal resource for anyone interested in the therapeutic power of books.

Find Emily Rumble Online:

• Social Media: @Literary_therapy_nyc on TikTok, Threads, Instagram, Substack, Blue Sky
• Website: literacytherapy.nyc1word.podiapodia.com
• Newsletter: Subscribe on her website for monthly literary insights
• Virtual Sessions: Available through her website for readers across the United States

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussion between Rebecca Schinsky and Emily Rumble.