Meet the Author: Hong Kong’s first bibliotherapist, Bhakti Mathur

Children’s book author and career coach, Bhakti Mathur recently qualified as Hong Kong’s first bibliotherapist. Here, she shares about her career and explains why bibliotherapy is becoming so popular in the coaching industry.

What is bibliotherapy?

The word bibliotherapy is a combination of two Greek words, ‘biblion’ meaning books and ‘therapia’ meaning healing. Bibliotherapy is the use of literature in any form to help us find our way through psychological, emotional and social problems. It’s about finding books that resonate with you on a deep level, at this very moment of time. The use of the written word for therapeutic purposes has been known for millennia. From ancient Egyptians and Greek philosophers, to post-World War One when doctors prescribed books to soldiers to help them deal with trauma. Today, bibliotherapy is used widely in counselling by therapists, along with other tools, to treat people for anxiety, depression, loneliness, PTSD, addiction and grief. It has also been found to be useful in children with anxiety, depression and aggression. 

What inspired you to qualify as a bibliotherapist?

Two years ago, a friend of mine gave me a book called The Novel Cure written by two biblio therapists, Ella Berthoud and Susan Elderkin, (they set up the first official bibliotherapy service at ‘The School of Life’ in London). I was enthralled. It is a medical handbook, with a difference. A novel or two prescribed as a cure for any ailment that you can think of – from anxiety, boredom, loneliness, heartbreak to pessimism and obsession, among hundreds of others. I had a bibliotherapy session with Ella. She sent me a detailed questionnaire asking me about my reading habits and what was occupying me in life. We had an hour-long zoom session based on my responses. After that she sent me a prescription of books to read. I have turned to books ever since I was a little girl to make sense of the world and have been medicating myself with books all through my life. So when I was introduced to bibliotherapy, I felt I had come home!

Can you tell us about your work as a career coach?

As a transition and career coach, I work with people looking to change careers, or changing roles within their organisations. We spend at least a third of our day working, many of us even longer. I believe, you shouldn’t have to drag your feet to get ready to go to a job that you stopped loving many years ago, or perhaps never did. Whether we lack clarity about what we want to do, or the courage to make the change, most of us don’t take a career switch lightly. I know I thought about it for years before I took the plunge. But when I did, it was the best decision I made and I’m grateful for it each day.

What advice do you have for someone who is anxious about a career change?

Once that person is clear they want to change their job, I would ask them to explore their fears by writing them down. What are their fears? Won’t get a new job? Don’t know what to do next? Worried about finances? Are these fears real or perceived? What can they do about each fear? I have found that writing down an action plan for each of the fears works best. The process of writing brings clarity and perspective. Action is the best antidote to fear. In the past when I have done this exercise with clients, I have found that more than anything, people are fearful about feeling fearful. Writing or journaling puts a distance between you and your thoughts and allows you to look at your fears in an objective manner.

Prior to coaching, you had a lucrative career in banking. Is there anything you miss?

The pay cheque! I loved being a banker. However, leaving the industry has been liberating. It has allowed me to spend more time with my family and to pursue my interest – and I think that is priceless.

What career advice do you give to your children? 

My children are 12 and 14 and as a teenager and pre-teenager, they refuse to take any advice from their mother! However, whenever they are receptive to listening, I tell them that they should find work which combines their strength and their interests and keep trying to find things that will fulfil these two criteria. And not to take themselves too seriously! Life is a long journey and though the choice of career is important, it is only one part of life. Fulfilling relationships and having interests outside of work are equally important.

Can you tell us about your work as an author?

Absolutely! I write books for children on Indian mythology and history. I have 18 published titles across two series – Amma Tell Me (self-published, 13 titles) and Amma Take Me (published by Penguin India, five titles). I also freelance as a feature writer, writing on, life, health and fitness for the South China Morning Post, with more than seventy-five published articles to date. My children’s books focus on Indian mythology and history and began as a way for me to share with my sons the rich imagery of mythological India that I had grown up with. 

Can you tell us about your new book Amma, Take me to the Taj Mahal? 

This book is for anyone who wishes to visit the Taj Mahal – children, young adults, parents and grandparents. The book is based upon the questions that my two children asked me when we visited the Taj Mahal together three years ago and the conversations that we had about this beautiful mausoleum. Walk with Amma, Shiv and Veer through the sprawling gardens that replicate paradise on earth. Gaze at the mausoleum and admire its astounding architecture, breathtaking scope and perfect symmetry. Marvel at the intricately decorated white marble walls engraved with precious stones. Travel back in time 500 years as Amma narrates the story of how the Mughal empire was founded and the historical, cultural and personal stories that lie at the genesis of this magical monument.

And what’s next? 

For now, I am focusing on my writing, work as a transition and career coach and as a bibliotherapist. I have my hands full and am loving it. The next book in the Amma Take Me series will be on the forts in Rajasthan. And the next in the Amma Tell Me series is on an avatar of Vishnu. 

Bhakti Mathur is a bibliotherapist, career coach and the author of two best-selling series of books for children on Indian mythology and history, the ‘Amma Tell Me’ and ‘Amma Take Me Series’. To learn more about her career coaching and bibliotherapy sessions email bhakti@reflectwithbhakti.com or visit her websites, www.bhaktimathur.com and www.reflectwithbhakti.com.