There are plenty of mental health podcasts out there, but many of them lack the perspective of a licensed therapist. While self-help podcasts can certainly be helpful resources for those seeking community and inspiration, they may lack expert insights into serious topics. As a liscenced professional myself, I know that a podcast lacking knowledge from a therapist can easily add to the sea of misinformation on the internet.
To mark Mental Health Awareness Day, I'm sharing five podcast recommendations. If you’re interested in exploring all types of mental health topics, such as self confidence, interpersonal relationships, and managing anxiety with the support of trusted professionals, this list will get you off to a great start.
What Your Therapist Thinks
Kristen Plantinga, the founder of Best Therapists, and Felicia Keller Boyle, LMFT, both had enough of internet misconceptions around mental health topics and decided to launch their own podcast. That's when What Your Therapist Thinks was born. The show explores various topics, from dating and relationships to anxiety and trauma, by bringing on licensed therapists for discussions with actionable advice.
Each episode of What Your Therapist Thinks offers a mix of helpful information and fun conversation. Kristie, Felicia, and their guests also read Reddit stories on each episode’s topic and share their expert advice for posters. Season 2 of the show wrapped earlier this year and is available wherever you listen to podcasts
Women Under Pressure
I launched Women Under Pressure after nearly 20 years of experience in healthcare and mental health, including work with first responders and professionals in high-pressure roles. My podcast brings together what I have learned throughout my career and focuses on the cases of highly capable women with significant responsibility in their lives. Listeners get practical insight into topics like high-performance burnout, functional freeze, and why it can be so hard to switch off. Through solo episodes and conversations with experts and other high-performing women, the podcast helps listeners make sense of patterns they may have been brushing off for years, and gives them a trusted voice to come back to when they want to understand what’s really going on.
Teaching through Emotions
Betsy Burris, the host of TTE, is a teacher educator and a psychotherapist who sees “bad feelings” as data. Episodes focus on different issues teachers deal with from burnout to relationships with colleagues, administrators, and students. Betsy shares real stories, interviews experts and provides her professional advice.
While the podcast is focused on teachers, plenty of Betsy’s tips are extremely relevant to those outside the field of education. Apart from the podcast, she also Substacks about these issues, where she offers additional support and resources. Season 4 is launching early October and will take listeners in Teacher Support Groups, further exploring Betsy’s methods to successfully manage emotions.
Therapist Uncensored Podcast
The Therapist Uncensored Podcast is a classic go-to resource for listeners seeking professional insights on mental health topics. It’s a female-led show where co-hosts Sue Marriott, LCSW CGP, and Ann Kelley, PhD, break down complex ideas into practical wisdom you can use immediately. Episodes cover a range of topics from healing through spirituality, writing, and connection to harnessing fierce self-compassion.
Therapist Uncensored has often been ranked as one of Apple’s Top 10 Social Science podcasts. It stands out because it delivers trusted, science-backed insights on mental health and secure relationships. Sue and Ann Kelley bring listeners right in the therapy room, making powerful psychological insights accessible and actionable.
Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel
Where Should We Begin? is an unmissable podcast featuring one of the most prominent voices in mental health, Esther Perel. The show has been running for over six years, sharing stories of real people in search of insight who bare the raw, intimate, and profound details of their lives.
As a licensed therapist, Perel brings her expertise to each story, asking insightful questions, encouraging to reflection and exploring a wide range of topics from setting boundaries, friendships, and self love.
