It’s well known that reading is therapeutic, but did you know there’s a whole modality devoted to this fact? Join us for an enlightening discussion with Ella Berthoud, co-author of The Novel Cure, as she breaks down how fiction can help us heal mental distress and promote emotional intelligence. Ella will be interviewed by WiPS member and fellow bibliotherapist Bhakti Mathur.
Tuesday, 22 November 2022 | 6:30-7:30pm (HK Time, by Zoom)
Members: FREE | Non-Members: HK$80*
NOTE: * WiPS full-year membership fee is HK$600 (till end of 2023). If you decide to join us as a member within 7 days of this event, this fee will be reimbursed.
Ella Berthoud, co-author of The Novel Cure, will be speaking to WiPS member Bhakti Mathur about the healing power of books. Described as “the art of prescribing fiction for life’s ailments,” bibliotherapy is an ancient discipline steeped in the belief that reading the right book at the right time can change your life. Join us as we learn more about bibliotherapy and its use for anything from abandonment to zestlessness. For more information on bibliotherapy, see https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/can-reading-make-you-happier.
“Ella first started talking about bibliotherapy with Susan Elderkin when they were at Cambridge together. Over the ensuing years they prescribed literature to their friends and family, while Ella worked as an artist and Susan wrote her own novels. In 2007 they developed the idea in conjunction with The School of Life into what it is today, a one to one service taking place in person, or over the phone.” http://www.ellaberthoud.com/bibliotherapy/
Long-time WiPS member Bhakti Mathur recently completed her certification in bibliotherapy and is now accepting clients of her own. An author of 18 children’s books, Bhakti is no stranger to the power of stories. Bhakti also helps people tell their tales of resilience and recovery as a SCMP health and lifestyle writer and is an accredited career coach. To learn more about Bhakti, see https://hongkongliving.com/hong-kong-authors-bhakti-mathur/.