Podcasts for mental health professionals have become increasingly common in this busy age where psychiatrists want to add to their knowledge but do not always have the time to read. Valant understands the time crunch and is here to help; we’ve prepared a list of the internet’s best podcasts for mental health professionals for your convenience.
If you’d prefer to stay up to date on industry trends and patient experiences by reading, rather than listening, check out our list of the best psychology magazines and journals for psychologists.
The Popularity of Podcasts Among Psychiatrists (and everyone else)
Edison Research and Triton Dial conducted research earlier this year that confirms what we already knew: podcasts are more popular than ever. More than 80 million Americans over the age of 12 now consider themselves regular podcast listeners; in fact, approximately 28 percent of Americans listen to podcasts regularly. This figure so far in 2021 is more than double the 11 percent of the population that gave themselves the same label in 2020.
Similar to the averages, listenership for mental health podcasts is also on the rise. With the forced isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic contributing to increased mental health concerns, those outside the mental health industry turned to their computers, smartphones, or tablets to listen to advice when they could not seek therapy out in person. As for mental health professionals, industry podcasts are a fantastic opportunity to take in new information and updates passively while completing other activities. Such is the life of a working professional!
10 Fantastic Podcasts for Mental Health Professionals
- Hidden Brain
- Mental Illness Happy Hour
- Shrink Rap Radio
- Therapist Uncensored
- Therapy Chat
- Practice of the Practice
- Selling the Couch
- The Abundant Practice
- The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
- The Private Practice Startup
Mental health professionals often do not have the time to listen to dozens of podcasts just to pick out a few favorites. We hope having this list of podcasts for mental health professionals not only saves you time but also equips you with the helpful resources you need to excel in private practice.
Podcasts for All Mental Health Professionals
1. Hidden Brain
Originally Aired: September 2015
Frequency of Publication: Weekly
Area of Focus: Subconscious mind
Where to Listen: Most major podcast platforms, including NPR, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify
Hidden Brain host Shankar Vedantam helps listeners discover the unconscious reasons for their decisions, behavior, and choice of relationships by interweaving storytelling with science. Vedantam has also published a book by the same title.
2. Mental Illness Happy Hour
Originally Aired: 2011
Frequency of Publication: Weekly
Area of Focus: Addiction, mental illness, negative thinking, and trauma
Where to Listen: MentalPod.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher
The Mental Illness Happy Hour is a weekly podcast featuring “artists, comedians, friends of the owner, and the occasional doctor”—all discussing their experience with mental illness in an attempt to normalize and promote understanding. Fittingly, MIHH host Paul Gilmartin is a standup comedian who has struggled with clinical depression and addiction. Mental Illness Happy Hour is not just entertaining, but it also provides a personal look into the lives of people with specific mental health conditions and experiences.
3. Shrink Rap Radio
Originally Aired: 2005
Frequency of Publication: Weekly
Area of Focus: Brain health and neuroplasticity, improving self-image, ADHD, artificial intelligence and bouncing back from difficulties
Where to Listen: Shrink Rap Radio Site, Apple Podcasts
On Shrink Rap Radio, host and clinical psychotherapist Dr. David Van Nuys—who now works as a professor at Sonoma State University—discusses brain health issues with other professionals such as neuroscientists. The podcast also covers topics such as motivation, self-confidence, and resilience. Shrink Rap Radio is the proud recipient of the APA Pioneering Psychology Podcast Award. Dr. Van Nuys has recorded over 700 episodes so far.
4. Therapist Uncensored
Originally Aired: August 7, 2016
Publisher: n/a – Independent
Frequency of Publication: Approximately every two weeks
Area of Focus: Deeply thought-provoking but unscripted discussions on the human psyche and understanding the self-help movement
Where to Listen: Most major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts
Therapist Uncensored is an unscripted podcast that runs each week for two hours. Co-hosts Dr. Ann Kelley and Sue Marriott, licensed social worker, interview industry leaders to create podcasts for therapists—everyone from seasoned therapists to beginning psychiatry students who want to learn how to understand people at a deeper level. Recent topics include emotionally focused therapy and attachment and body-focused therapy.
5. Therapy Chat
Originally Aired: 2015
Frequency of Publication: Weekly
Area of Focus: Mindfulness, parenting, trauma, attachment, EMDR, and art therapy
Where to Listen: Therapy Chat website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts
Baltimore-based LCSW-C and psychotherapist Laura Reagan interviews guests on her podcast, Therapy Chat, to discuss alternative and holistic approaches to use in psychotherapy, trauma healing, coaching, and counseling. Therapists discuss how they care for their own mental health as they serve others and frequently cover the topic of mindfulness.
Podcasts for Private Practice Owners
6. Practice of the Practice
Date of First Episode: 2014
Frequency of Publication: Approximately every two weeks
Area of Focus: Ethics of private practice, appropriate marketing methods, and consultation services
Where to Listen: PracticeofthePractice.com website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts
Joe Sanok, a former private practice owner, runs the Practice of the Practice podcast specifically for therapists in private practice. He provides tricks and tips regarding daily organization, client lists, finance topics, licensing issues, and other behind-the-scenes topics of interest to mental health professionals. To supplement his own knowledge as a mental health professional, Sanok interviews other industry professionals on the podcast; he has interviewed over 400 professionals to date.
7. Selling the Couch
Date of First Episode: 2017
Frequency of Publication: Approximately every two weeks
Area of Focus: Private practice management
Where to Listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher
Hosted by early-career psychologist Melvin Varghese, Selling the Couch is a podcast for new, aspiring, and current mental health professionals. Varghese discusses the business office aspect of operating a private practice—everything from improving your practice’s website to dealing with insurance companies to responding to client reviews.
8. The Abundant Practice Podcast
Date of First Episode: Early 2020
Frequency of Publication: Every Wednesday and Saturday
Area of Focus: Building and growing a private psychotherapy practice
Where to Listen: Most major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts
Allison Puryear brings 10 years of practice-building experience and down-to-earth attitude to her bi-weekly podcast, The Abundant Practice Podcast. Examples of recent podcasts include networking with university counselors, transitioning to group practice and private pay, and attracting more clients.
9. The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
Date of First Episode: 2014
Frequency of Publication: Weekly
Area of Focus: Private practice start-up and growth
Where to Listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Stitcher
Gordon Brewer has been a therapist in private practice for 15 years. He started The Practice of Therapy podcast to help mental health professionals either get their start in the industry or—for more seasoned practitioners—support the growth of their private practice. True to his mission, Gordon covers topics of interest for growing practices such as developing a private practice marketing plan, private practice retirement planning, and therapy niches.
10. The Private Practice Startup
Date of First Episode: 2016
Frequency of Publication: Weekly
Area of Focus: Private practice start-up and growth
Where to Listen: Google Play, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify
The Private Practice Startup hosts Kate Campbell and Katie Lemieux—both LMFTs—interview mental health experts, business coaches, and private practitioners to uncover actionable tips for growing a private mental health practice. Drawing inspiration from their own experience of building thriving six-figure private practices, Campbell and Lemieux share “ninja tips, tricks, hacks, and resources” for private practice owners.
Best Podcasts for Mental Health Professionals – Conclusion
Especially for private practice owners, leaning on your network of other mental health professionals for advice is critical to providing the best experience and treatment for your patients; the podcasts we’ve listed here are a fantastic way to hear other professionals’ experiences in an accessible and engaging format.
Let Valant help shoulder the load of running your group behavioral health practice with not just this list of informative podcasts, but also our state-of-the-art EHR software built exclusively for behavioral health. Our easy-to-use software will free up time for your staff clinicians and professionals, enabling them to devote time to staying knowledgeable.
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