MANDY HAYNES INTRODUCES EMELY RUMBLE, LCSW

MANDY HAYNES INTRODUCES EMELY RUMBLE, LCSW

Hello readers! It’s been a long time since I’ve introduced a featured author of the month. Yes, things are still crazy here in Tennessee (helping my Dad get his groove back after breaking his hip, building a house, and trying to get acclimated to moving back home) but I was so intrigued by this author’s story I had to make time to introduce her.

Who is Emely Rumble? Emely Rumble, LCSW, is a distinguished licensed clinical social worker, school social worker, and seasoned biblio/psychotherapist with over fourteen years of professional experience. Committed to making mental health services more accessible, Emely specializes in the transformative practice of bibliotherapy. Passionate about advocating for the integration of creative arts in psychotherapy, mental well-being, and self-improvement, Emely champions the social model of disability and embraces a neurodiversity-affirming therapeutic approach. A distinguished member of The National Association of Poetry Therapy, Emely's work has been featured in respected publications such as Parents Magazine, ‘School Library Journal’, Bold Journey Magazine, BronxNet News, and The Bronx Is Reading.

Having earned her undergraduate degree from Mount Holyoke College and completed her social work degree at Smith College School for Social Work, Emely resides in the Bronx with her husband, two children, and her psychiatric service dog, Montana. She embodies a holistic and compassionate approach to mental health and well-being. Emely shares her expertise beyond traditional avenues through @Literapy_NYC, her dedicated platform on Instagram, TikTok, and Podia, where she provides valuable educational content.

Bibliotherapy in The Bronx by Emely Rumble, LCSW, is a groundbreaking exploration of the healing power of literature in the lives of marginalized communities. Drawing from her personal and professional experiences, Rumble masterfully intertwines storytelling with therapeutic insights to reveal how reading can be a potent tool for self-discovery, emotional transformation, and social change.

In this transformative work, Rumble offers readers an intimate glimpse into her journey as a psychotherapist in the Bronx, where she has spent over 14 years using books to help clients navigate complex emotions, heal from trauma, and find their voices. Through vivid anecdotes and real-world case studies, she demonstrates how literature can serve as a bridge between personal pain and collective healing.

Rich with practical tips, reflective exercises, and book recommendations, Bibliotherapy in The Bronx is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the power of words to change lives. Whether you're a therapist, educator, bibliophile, or simply someone seeking deeper understanding and growth, this book offers a compassionate, culturally affirming guide to the transformative potential of storytelling.

Rumble's work is a testament to the enduring power of books to heal, empower, and liberate. In a time when the world feels increasingly divided, Bibliotherapy in The Bronx reminds us that the stories we tell—and the stories we read—can unite us in our shared humanity.

Mandy: Reading was not only an escape for you as a child, but also a way for you to make sense of the world around you. Not surprisingly, you became a licensed psychotherapist and bibliotherapist. Can you tell our readers a little bit about what Bibliotherapy is, and what it means to you?

Emely: Absolutely. Bibliotherapy is the intentional use of literature as a therapeutic tool for healing, self-exploration, and connection. For me, it’s about helping people make meaning through stories—whether that’s through a novel that mirrors their emotional experience, poetry that helps name what feels unspeakable, or journaling that lets them write their way toward clarity. Growing up in a home where mental illness went untreated, and where I often felt emotionally unsafe, books were more than an escape for me, they were anchors. Literature gave me language when I had none. They helped me understand people’s pain, including my own. Today, I use bibliotherapy in my clinical practice to support clients of all ages in navigating grief, identity, trauma, joy, and healing.

Mandy: When did the idea for Bibliotherapy in The Bronx come to you? Did you start writing on it right away, or did the idea keep coming back to you until you had no choice but to put the words on paper? How long did it take to complete?

Emely: This book tugged at me for years. I didn’t set out to write a book at first—I was writing to cope. I started journaling my reflections after particularly intense therapy sessions or school social work days. Over time, those reflections started to form a pattern. I saw how often literature helped me reach young people who didn’t trust adults, or how stories allowed parents to reconnect with their kids after rupture. The book kept whispering to me: Tell these stories. Someone else needs them too. It took several years, honestly—between my clinical practice, motherhood, grief, and life—but I finally gave in, and I’m grateful I did.

Mandy: You grew up with a family member who lived with untreated paranoid schizophrenia. She was your maternal aunt who was also your babysitter and in Bibliotherapy in The Bronx you let us get to know her a little more. Thank you for that. I know there had to be times that were scary while in her care, especially for a young girl who had no way of knowing why your aunt acted differently or the struggles she dealt with, but there was also a lot of love there. What is one of your fondest memories of your aunt?

Emely:Thank you for asking this with such tenderness. Yes, there were moments that were deeply confusing and frightening, but also so much love and sweetness in her presence. One of my fondest memories is how she used to walk me to the corner store and let me pick out one candy and a comic book—even if she didn’t have much. She would read the comics aloud with voices and sound effects, sometimes adding her own commentary, which made me laugh until my stomach hurt. She had such a vivid imagination. It’s part of what makes me believe, to this day, that mental illness and creativity often live side by side.

Mandy: I want to thank you again for the fantastic essay that follows this interview. You make so many important points, but this one jumped out at me and keeps coming back. Censorship isn't just a political issue; it's a psychological one. I couldn’t agree more, especially with everything going on now. What can we do to help raise awareness and fight the banning of books in our own communities?

Emely: We have to treat book banning not just as an educational crisis but a mental health one. When books centering BIPOC, queer, disabled, and neurodivergent lives are pulled from shelves, the message to young readers is clear: Your story doesn’t belong here. That internalized message can become shame, silence, and isolation.

What we can do:

• Host or support banned book clubs in our libraries and community spaces

• Vote for school board members who advocate for inclusive education

• Support independent bookstores that uplift marginalized authors

• Share book reviews, post about what you're reading, and speak up when censorship happens

Reading is resistance. It’s a lifeline.

Mandy: There are so many great books on your reading list. Some I’ve read, but there are quite a few I’ve added to my to be read list. If you had to pick just two books with strong BIPOC protagonists to recommend to younger readers to get them hooked on reading, what would they be?

Emely: I’d recommend The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton — it’s an incredible fantasy adventure that centers a young Black girl at a magical school and teaches kids about justice, community, and believing in your own voice. I’d also recommend Mexikid by Pedro Martín — a memoir-style graphic novel that’s hilarious, heartwarming, and full of cultural richness. It explores family, heritage, and what it means to find your place in the world.

Mandy: I know you have a thousand things to do with the release of your book on top of everything else, so I’ll end with one final question. What book are you reading right now?

Emely: Right now, I’m completely engrossed by The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery by Clarence A. Haynes, which releases on June 17th! It’s a mystical, fast-paced, genre-blending story full of AfroLatine spiritual traditions, intergenerational trauma, queerness, and just the right amount of spice. As someone who values ancestral wisdom and emotional storytelling, this book is such a gift. Clarence’s voice is fresh, funny, and necessary—and I can’t wait for more readers to experience it.