Podcasts are a popular way to learn new information, and mental health is no exception. While they aren’t a substitute for therapy sessions, they can provide valuable information and validation.
Many podcasts feature interviews with people who have lived experience with various disorders. This allows listeners to hear personal stories of recovery and hope, which helps reduce stigma. Keep reading the article below to learn more about Mental Health Podcasts.
Whether you’re a psychology student or simply interested in the human mind, these podcasts will expand your knowledge and help you understand yourself. Psychology is a complex subject that covers a wide range of topics, including decision-making, emotions, and memory. These psychology podcasts break down psychological studies and ideas into digestible, easy-to-understand episodes.
From the renowned therapist Brene Brown to the popular podcast Serial, these podcasts are sure to satisfy your curiosity about the human mind. They cover a variety of psychological topics, from social justice and the impact of culture on mental health to the role of trauma in our lives. They also explore the connections between psychology and other subjects, such as sociology, anthropology, and neuroscience.
Many people don’t realize that the field of psychology encompasses a broad range of subjects and philosophies. These psychology podcasts explore the different aspects of the field and discuss them with experts in their fields. Some of these include Shrink Rap Radio, which interviews a variety of psychology and psychiatry experts on various topics, and All in the Mind, which explores how we think, feel, and act.
In addition to discussing psychological research and theories, these podcasts often provide helpful advice for personal growth and professional development. For example, the Psych Crunch podcast breaks down psychological studies into actionable tips for everyday life. Past episodes have focused on topics like increasing creativity and making running more fun.
Another great resource for therapists is Therapy Chat, a podcast that discusses the different approaches to therapy and coaching. Hosted by therapist Laura Reagan, the show allows therapists to share their experiences and opinions while protecting confidentiality. Previous episodes have covered a range of topics, from phobias and relationships to political messaging and lying.
If you’re curious about the history of psychology, these podcasts will give you a taste of its rich legacy. From Sigmund Freud’s dream theory to Albert Ellis’ REBT treatment, these podcasts will teach you about some of the most famous psychologists in history. Many of them will also give you an idea about how the field has evolved over time.
The Emotional Regulation Podcast
For those who struggle with emotional dysregulation, this podcast provides a safe space to explore feelings and thoughts that often seem too big for your brain. Whether you’re feeling sad or anxious, hosts Marielle and Ed will help you feel less overwhelmed by a variety of strategies that include mindfulness, skills training, and EMDR (emotional processing therapy). Each episode is between 40-60 minutes long and covers a different topic each week.
This podcast offers a different take on mental health than the typical clinically-informed podcasts that focus on anxiety and depression. Instead of interviews with psychologists, it features stories and advice from real people who have experienced depression and anxiety firsthand. The episodes are designed to be inspiring and motivating, not shaming or guilt-ridden, and the hosts make a point of not being judgy about anyone’s experience with these conditions.
Whether you’re dealing with anxiety or just curious about mental illness, this podcast is a great place to start. Each episode covers a specific topic, and the hosts discuss their own experiences with anxiety and how they’ve overcome it. They also share tips, techniques, and guided meditations that can be used to reduce anxiety throughout the day. The podcast is updated twice a week, so there’s always something new to hear and learn.
With a variety of guests and topics, this podcast addresses the intersection of mental health and Indigenous perspectives. Visual storyteller Matika Wilbur and University professor Adrienne Keene — both members of Swinomish and Tulalip tribal nations — engage in courageous conversations with a variety of guests to shed light on how colonialism harms mental wellness among BIPOC communities. The podcast also discusses a range of other topics, including the negative impact of Native sports mascots on children’s mental health.
Psych Central’s podcast has earned a loyal following for its simple yet informative insights into psychology and mental health disorders. Guests include celebrities, clinical psychologists, and everyday people who live with a wide range of conditions. The episodes vary in length, from brief discussions about common mood swings to Q&A sessions that last over an hour.
Dear Therapists
Podcasts can provide a wealth of information, especially on mental health. However, it’s important to understand that they should never be viewed as a substitute for therapy sessions or professional mental health care. Rather, they can provide validation and offer helpful strategies that you can apply to your life. Whether you’re looking for advice, personal stories, or just to learn more about your moods and emotions, these popular mental health podcasts are sure to help.
Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder, there is likely a podcast on this list that will speak to you. The first step to finding a mental health podcast that’s right for you is identifying what your goal is. Do you want to hear stories of people with similar struggles, or do you need to feel more empowered to face your own? It’s also a good idea to consider the format of the podcast – some are more conversational, while others are more structured and informative.
If you’re struggling with depression, consider the podcasts of bestselling authors Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft. Their podcast, Happier, offers practical tips and actionable advice on how to improve your life. The two also discuss the importance of self-care in their weekly episodes.
Another highly-rated podcast focuses on the intersectionality of mental health and race. Psychologist Joy Harden Bradford’s Therapy for Black Girls site connects listeners with professionals qualified to treat them, and her podcast provides thoughtful conversations on every mental health topic you can imagine. From racial bias to “Friday” music video star Rebecca Black, each episode tackles an issue that many listeners will relate to.
A more scientific approach to mental health is provided by neuroscientist Andrew Huberman. His podcasts delve into how our brains work, and how our beliefs affect our behaviors. Guests on the show range from entrepreneurs to athletes, and his conversations are both informative and relatable.
Choosing the right mental health podcast can be difficult because they are so varied in topic and tone. The first step is figuring out what your goals are, and then exploring the many options that are available. It’s also a good idea to read reviews and listen to a few episodes before deciding whether the podcast is right for you.
Mentally Yours
In the podcasting landscape, there’s a pod for just about every topic: news, true crime, comedy. But there are also plenty of mental health podcasts that cover a range of themes and topics to help you feel more connected to and understand your own or others’ struggles. While these pods don’t replace therapy or medical care, they are great tools for normalizing mental health struggles and addressing issues from depression to anxiety, and everything in between.
A popular pick of psychologists, this podcast features the eponymous host chatting with other psychiatrists and therapists about their experiences in a variety of situations, like the struggles with family members or clients, dealing with trauma, or even personal challenges, like depression. The podcast also addresses some of the stigma around mental illness, and it’s a good resource for people who may be reluctant to seek treatment for fear of judgement or discrimination.
Ten Percent Happier was created by Dan Harris, a self-described “fidgety, skeptical journalist who had a panic attack on live television” and is now a New York Times best-selling author. He interviews a wide array of guests, from celebrities to meditation teachers and experts, on various methods for improving happiness and reducing stress.
Another popular option, this podcast from two high school students in Vancouver aims to tackle difficult and stigmatized mental health subjects with a fresh perspective. The host and her guests, who are all queer women of color, discuss a range of topics, from navigating sexual trauma to discussing the effects of racism in Canada and the U.S. In addition to focusing on their own mental health, the hosts often address how to support those struggling with similar issues in their communities.
This podcast focuses on the ways that traumatic experiences can affect our psychological and emotional health, from PTSD to trauma in relationships. The host and her guests talk about how to recognize the signs of trauma, including avoiding social media and re-entering relationships, and offer helpful tips for healing after trauma.
The host of this podcast, a certified positive psychology coach with a master’s in Applied Positive Psychology, talks to her friends and other professionals about the best way to achieve a happier life. She covers a range of issues, from overcoming loneliness to coping with climate anxiety, in episodes that are both informative and uplifting.