We were lucky to catch up with Emely Rumble recently and have shared our conversation below.

Emely, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Looking back at internships and apprenticeships can be interesting, because there is so much variety in people’s experiences – and often those experiences inform our own leadership style. Do you have an interesting story from that stage of your career that you can share with us?

My journey into becoming a bibliotherapist began in The Bronx in 2008, where my first-year internship took place at a day treatment facility for adults with schizophrenia. Despite concerns from my field advisor about handling such a high-need population as a first-year student, I embraced the opportunity with excitement and facilitated a poetry therapy group that made a positive impact on client’s progress and socialization goals. My enthusiasm stemmed from a personal connection—my maternal aunt, who babysat me, had paranoid schizophrenia. Growing up with her, I witnessed firsthand the challenges individuals with schizophrenia face, developing a deep understanding of the condition.

My aunt’s struggles fueled my passion for mental health advocacy, leading me to become a creative arts therapist specializing in supporting the most vulnerable and marginalized populations. In communities where mental illness is stigmatized, particularly among people of color, identifying and seeking treatment for severe and persistent mental illness can be challenging. My internship exposed me to the diverse needs of this population, inspiring me to create a poetry group as a therapeutic outlet. Despite initial skepticism, the group became a success, fostering connections among clients and providing a platform for self-expression. This experience propelled me to pursue bibliotherapy as a means of healing and supporting individuals with mental health challenges.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Emely Rumble, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker, school social worker, and seasoned biblio/psychotherapist with over 14 years of professional experience. My primary focus is on enhancing the accessibility of mental health services, and I specialize in the modality of bibliotherapy, the use of literature and expressive writing to heal. I’m a passionate advocate for integrating creative arts into psychotherapy, promoting mental well-being, and encouraging self-improvement. I stand for the social model of disability and embrace a neurodiversity-affirming therapeutic approach.

My expertise has been recognized in publications such as Parents Magazine, Bold Journey Magazine, BronxNet News, and with organizations such as The Children’s Storefront Harlem and The Bronx Is Reading.

In my therapy practice, LiterapyNYC, I provide mental health therapy to New York State residents and offer virtual bibliotherapy services, including book prescriptions and coaching sessions. I host a free book club on Fable called “Readers Who Run With The Wolves” and run a subscription-based bibliotherapy community, “Libros y la Curacion: Healing Through Books.” Additionally, I offer ebooks and journals for purchase to support readers in their bibliotherapy practice, available at academy.literapynyc.com.

Residing in the Bronx with my husband, two children, and my psychiatric service dog, Montana, I embody a holistic and compassionate approach to mental health and well-being. My debut book, “Bibliotherapy in The Bronx,” is set to be released in April 2025 with Row House Publishing. I take pride in my multifaceted approach, bridging academia, virtual therapy, and community engagement to make mental health resources more accessible and enrich lives through the power of bibliotherapy.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

My reputation in the field comes from always giving my best and providing a high quality level of service. I focus on understanding each person’s unique needs and making sure they have a positive experience during our therapy sessions.

A big part of how I built my reputation is through satisfied clients telling others about their good experiences with me. When someone recommends me to a friend or family member, it shows that they trust the quality of my services.

I also stay up-to-date with professional development in my field, making sure I provide the most holistic, trauma-informed approach to supporting my client’s needs. It’s all about doing my best to understand who my client is, why they are seeking out my support, and developing a treatment approach that will develop the best outcomes to meet treatment goals. I collaborate with peers in the field often and have found that building a network of like-minded colleagues has been crucial to my ongoing success.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2020, my life took a significant turn when my son was diagnosed with autism. This was the same year my daughter was born, and the challenges were compounded by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Balancing the needs of my family, especially with a child diagnosed with autism, became my top priority. Unfortunately, the circumstances prevented me from returning to my role in school social work after my maternity leave.

Faced with this unexpected shift, I decided to pivot and create a new path for myself. Drawing on my expertise as a licensed clinical social worker, I established my private therapy practice. This transition not only allowed me to prioritize my family’s needs but also empowered me to continue providing valuable mental health services to those in need. The journey from school social work to launching my private practice was a profound pivot driven by the necessity to adapt to the circumstances and prioritize both my family and professional aspirations.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.literapynyc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/literapy_nyc/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/325387572127587
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emelydv/
• Other: Storefront and Book Community: academy.literapynyc.com Fable bookclub:https://fable.co/club/women-who-run-with-the-wolves-with-literapynyc-134726459871

Image Credits
Images by Efie Creative, LLC and Shana Sureck Photography, LLC