In what is like a literary counselling session, Sonya​ Tsakalakis'​ clients get a one-hour, face-to-face consultation based on their interests and desires.

They are given a "prescription" of at least six books, and detailed notes on why those books would suit their needs.

Ms Tsakalakis​, one of just a few bibliotherapists in Australia, sees clients by appointment at the School of Life cafe in Bourke Street and also via Skype.

Since a June article was published in The New Yorker magazine about bibliotherapy, she  has also seen eight clients by Skype from places including Los Angeles and New York.

Three days of  "taste of bibliotherapy" sessions this week at Federation Square, which she and colleague Nina Killham​ are running for the Melbourne Writers Festival, have sold out.

Bibliotherapy clients are quizzed on what books they like, their childhood reading, their passions in life and what they would like to try.

Ms Tsakalakis, a former genetic counsellor who trained with British School of Life bibliotherapist Ella Berthoud, says clients have many reasons for signing up.

One young client had "no direction" in her reading and sought excitement and inspiration. As a child, the client had loved Enid Blyton, so Ms Tsakalakis recommended I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith, about two sisters whose eccentric writer father moves them into a dilapidated castle, "which is almost like Enid Blyton for adults".

For a client about to travel to Greece, she recommended non-fiction travelogue The Colossus of Maroussi​ by bon vivant Henry Miller. "He really captures the essence of Greece, he's got a beautiful lyrical style, and he's almost intoxicated by the country."

For clients suffering grief, she has recommended Maggie MacKellar's true story When It Rains, about a young widow who finds healing by moving to a farm with her children.

On Thursday, client Georgia Dunlop, a fashion colourist from South Yarra, said that as a recent fashion graduate, the $160 bibliotherapy fee was "not really within my budget".

But she loved the idea of having a "personalised reading list" that was "specific to your interests and hobbies so you'll be reading things that are relatable to your life".

Ms Dunlop said choosing books could be overwhelming and sometimes she succumbed to a catchy title or cover, "which is never really a good judge".

She loved Ms Tsakalakis' first recommendations for her: The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner​, a travel/philosophy book about finding the happiest places in the world, and two meaty novels – Kate Atkinson's Life After Life, and Colum McCann's TransAtlantic.

Bookings can be made through The School of Life, www.theschooloflife.com/melbourne.