Interview with Bijal Shah, Author of Bibliotherapy
I speak to counsellor and bibliotherapist Bijal Shah about her fantastic book, Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading.
Synopsis:
“In this unique and transformational guide to healing, bibliotherapist and counsellor Bijal Shah explores the restorative power of reading.
Bibliotherapy traces the history of how therapeutic reading evolved - including the important role played by the best writers such as the Stoics, Montaigne, Eliot and Wordsworth. In doing so, Bijal offers first-hand stories from clients who have found solace in great works of literature when struggling with grief, relationships or illness.
Full of practical advice and insights into how bibliotherapy really works, Bijal offers an A to Z reading list of books for every mood and need.
A much-needed reminder of how comforting and life-changing reading can be, Bibliotherapy is a sumptuous celebration of books that will invite you to see them as more than just an escape, but a legitimate form of self-care.”
On with the interview questions!
Hi Bijal, thanks for speaking to me today.
To start, could you introduce yourself and what you do?
I'm Bijal, a book curator, bibliotherapist and author of the book, Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading. I'm also a freelance journalist, a writer, a counsellor, and a voracious reader.
After a decade-plus career in Investment Banking, having completed a post-graduate diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy, I launched my own bibliotherapy and literary curation practice.
So what is bibliotherapy and how does it work?
Bibliotherapy is a therapeutic approach that uses books and reading as a way to help individuals deal with personal issues, emotional challenges, or mental health problems. The idea is that reading certain books — whether fiction, non-fiction, or poetry — can provide comfort, insight, and healing by helping readers connect with characters, situations, or ideas that reflect their own experiences.
For those unfamiliar with it, you can think of bibliotherapy as a form of guided reading, where specific literature is chosen to support emotional well-being. It encourages people to gain new perspectives, process emotions, and develop coping strategies through the stories or lessons in the books.
A professional, like a therapist or counsellor, might recommend specific books as part of a treatment plan, but individuals can also practice bibliotherapy on their own by selecting reading material that resonates with their current feelings or challenges.
How do you choose which books to recommend to clients?
I often get them to fill out a questionnaire, similar to the one on here that seeks to understand what sorts of issues my client is facing, and what they would like to address in their bibliotherapy sessions or as part of their personalised book prescription request.
Secondly, I will want to understand what their reading preferences are, fiction, non-fiction, any particular genres they like to read, or literature they have enjoyed in the past. In addition I will want to know whether there are particular reading formats (Kindle, paperback, hardback) they enjoy and how much time they have to read. Based on this I will curate a reading list for them.
It’s important to note here that these book prescriptions can be both for therapeutic purposes but also for personal interest purposes. This reading list will either be shared in a bibliotherapy session, and we will use this literature for counselling purposes, or it will be emailed directly to the client if they simply wish to receive a personalised book prescription and not partake in a counselling session.
The latter seems to suit more introverted clients or those with an ‘avoidant attachment style’ or ‘anxious attachment style’ as explained by modern attachment theory.
Do you think that book therapy can be useful for everyone, even people who don’t read?
Absolutely. While traditional book therapy—or bibliotherapy—centres on engaging with written material, its core benefits aren’t limited solely to reading. The process is about connecting with stories, exploring emotions, and gaining new perspectives, which can be adapted to different formats and preferences.
Even if someone isn’t an avid reader, they can still access the benefits of book therapy through audiobooks, podcasts, or even visual adaptations of literature. The important element is engaging with the narrative and its themes, rather than the act of reading itself.
Book therapy is designed to help individuals reflect on personal experiences, develop empathy, and navigate difficult emotions. These outcomes aren’t exclusive to reading; they can be achieved through any medium that tells a compelling story or presents new ideas.
Many therapeutic programs use literature as a springboard for group discussions or guided therapy sessions. People who might not read on their own can benefit from hearing others share insights or from a facilitator who helps draw connections between the material and personal experiences.
Stories have been a cornerstone of human culture for millennia, serving as tools for understanding ourselves and the world around us. Whether encountered through text, spoken word, or visual media, narratives can provide comfort, provoke thought, and encourage growth.
In essence, while the traditional approach to book therapy involves reading, its therapeutic power lies in the process of engaging with and reflecting on narratives. This means that, with a bit of creativity and flexibility, the benefits can be accessible to everyone—even those who wouldn’t typically pick up a book.
Does bibliotherapy ever have a negative impact on clients? If so, how can we be careful to avoid negative consequences from our own reading?
Bibliotherapy can have some negative effects.
Emotional distress: Some books, especially those dealing with trauma, depression, or grief, might trigger painful emotions rather than providing relief.
Misinterpretation: Clients might misinterpret a book’s message, applying advice in an unhelpful or harmful way.
Over-identification: Readers may see themselves too closely in a fictional character or case study, leading to distress or reinforcing negative thought patterns.
False hope or disappointment: Self-help books may offer overly simplistic solutions, leading to frustration if real-life problems persist.
However you can avoid the negative consequences of these by:
Choosing books carefully: Look for materials that are well-researched, balanced, and align with your emotional state. If a book/author does not connect with you, change the book, there is no obligation to continue reading it.
Pair with reflection: Literary journal about what you read or discuss insights with a therapist, trusted friend, or book group.
Monitor emotional responses: If a book makes you feel worse, it’s okay to pause or stop reading.
Use a balanced approach: Supplement bibliotherapy with other forms of self-care, such as therapy, social support, and mindfulness.
How did you train in Bibliotherapy? What was the process like?
I began with training in counselling and used books extensively in my own counselling sessions (trainees need to be in counselling too). Once I saw the impact that books had on my own therapy in my counselling sessions, I knew that it could do the same for others.
This led me to research therapeutic history which I detail in my book, Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading. I began to connect with others using bibliotherapy, including academics and mental health professionals. I looked at studies and started to pioneer approaches that were found to have been helpful for readers and participants in research studies.
My goal was to bring this to the everyday person and reader.
I initially began offering personalised book prescriptions, for both therapeutic and personal interest purposes, and once people signed up to these they often started to become interested in bibliotherapy sessions too.
My online bibliotherapy courses or my book might be helpful starting points for anyone interested in a career in bibliotherapy or for further guidance, you might find it helpful to do some bibliotherapy coaching with me.
What are three of your go to recommendations for people who are going through a difficult time?
There are so many books I love and have found very helpful! If I had to pick three, I would say James Redfield’s The Celestine Prophecy as it really opened my eyes to looking at life in a very different way that is perhaps more spiritual and philosophical. Plus I was only 16 so I think it influenced my outlook on life considerably.
I also found Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns extremely moving and it opened my eyes at a young age as to how women live elsewhere. Again, I read this very young, and it got me invested in women’s rights.
More recently I have really enjoyed Tim Galloway’s The Inner Game of Tennis. I am a huge tennis lover, and this book is an excellent introduction on performance coaching - a discipline that developed from life coaching.
I found the book fascinating and it led to me developing an online course on Books and Tennis: Literature, Psychology, History and Culture. The course itself draws many parallels based on tennis literature between how a game of tennis is played and the game of life.
I write about bookshops a lot, both in the UK and around the world. Do you have a favourite bookshop?
My favourite bookstore is Hatchards in Piccadilly, London. It’s gorgeously laid out, with wood-panelled interiors, winding staircases, and a quiet, bookish atmosphere. It feels like stepping into a literary time capsule. Plus the staff are extremely friendly and knowledgable (they are the key book suppliers to the Royal Family and have a wonderful helpfulness and politeness to them!)
Hatchards is also known for its well-curated collection of books, including rare and signed editions, first editions, and beautifully bound books.
The shop is right next to Fortnum & Mason and The Ritz, where you can enjoy a delicious afternoon tea and pair it with a visit to the bookstore. It’s in a perfect spot for a literary outing in London!
What’s your favourite book (if you could choose one!)
Ooh there are so many! Let me tell you my current favourite for my bibliotherapy clients - this is Lost and Found by Kathryn Schulz.
So many of my clients have found this incredibly helpful when dealing with loss and grief. The concept of how we are often living in parallel with new beginnings as well as endings and the bittersweetness of life is beautifully and poignantly illustrated.
I don’t think my description does any justice to the book but based on my reading of the book as well as client feedback, I know that it is a book that has moved readers deeply.
How does your own book introduce readers to Bibliotherapy?
The book introduces readers to bibliotherapy by exploring its historical development and demonstrating its practical applications. It traces how therapeutic reading has evolved over time, highlighting contributions from notable writers such as the Stoics, Montaigne, Eliot, and Wordsworth.
I also share first-hand accounts from clients who have found solace in literature when facing challenges like grief, relationship issues, or illness. Additionally, the book offers practical advice on bibliotherapy techniques and provides an A to Z reading list tailored to various moods and needs.
Through these elements, I showcase how reading can serve as a legitimate form of self-care and personal growth.
The book came about because I had a deep desire to raise awareness of and educate people about bibliotherapy, as it was and still remains a novel therapy here in the UK and most parts of the world. I needed to tell the world how effective books and bibliotherapy can be, and how we can leverage literature to help and guide us on our healing and development journeys.
In order for something to become part of mainstream culture, a larger audience needs to be aware of it. Hence my ambition to get it out to as many readers as possible, who naturally will lean towards literature as a supportive tool. I hope it’s helpful and valuable to them.
You can purchase a copy of Bijal’s fantastic book here.
Has literature helped you through difficult times? I’d love to know about the books that have made a difference to you.
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