Podcasts are great ways to learn new information and find community, especially when dealing with mental health issues. From slaying anxiety to dealing with depression, here are the best mental health podcasts we could find.
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1. The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast
Dr. Robert Duff, a psychologist from Southern California, made this podcast after being frustrated with the complex nature of psychological issues. He wanted to put it all into simple language for everyone to understand. Every episode tackles mental health questions from listeners and interviews mental health experts.
Listeners appreciate Duff’s simple, straightforward style. One reviewer writes: “I’ve learned so much and have written down amazing pointers that have helped me manage my anxiety. I’ve binged this podcast every day and it helps with my day-to-day tasks.”
2. Feeling Good
Dr. Burns uses his years of expertise to tackle common mental health issues in his podcast, from dealing with anger in marriage to hiking therapy. Dr. Burns is a certified psychiatrist with an M.D. from Stanford University School of Medicine. His book of the same name has been listed as the #1 most recommended self-help book on depression.
His podcast offers powerful tools to overcome depression and anxiety, most rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. “For me, it gives an incredible glimpse into the possibilities of a CBT informed approach. Really extraordinary clinical and human insights in every episode,” one reviewer writes.
3. The Happiness Lab
If you think happiness is dependent on good jobs, lots of money, and fancy vacations, Yale psychology professor Dr. Laurie Santos is here to prove you wrong. The Happiness Lab is about what exactly makes us happy, based on years of scientific research. Each episode tackles common misconceptions about happiness and offers inspiring stories to help you reconsider what happiness means to you. One reviewer describes the podcast as gentle and instructive, saying, “Dr. Laurie Santos and her guests are smart, sensitive and accessible. I love that we have felt truths reinforced with brain science.”
4. The Positive Psychology Podcast
We know positive thinking, when not confused with toxic positivity, can be beneficial when tackling mental health concerns. It’s not just about “thinking positive” and assuming that will solve all your problems, however. It’s about understanding the science behind gratitude journals, dancing in your kitchen, and all the small things that make the good life, well, good.
Host Kristen Trumpey, who has a master’s in Applied Positive Psychology, wanted to create an accessible podcast that took the high-level scientific journals on the subject and put them in a context that makes sense, allowing listeners to explore a variety of positive solutions and pick something that works for them.
5. The Mental Illness Happy Hour
Comedian Paul Gilmartin isn’t a doctor or mental health professional—not even all his guests are—and this podcast is not meant to replace medical care. “Think of it more like a waiting room that doesn’t suck,” he writes. Gilmartin wanted to normalize talking about mental illness to make it a little easier to talk about.
This podcast rests comfortably in that almost-uncomfortable place of comedy and catharsis, as one reviewer writes: “I bust out laughing in public on the regular listening. Sometimes I cry too. I love hearing the honesty in the surveys read. That’s my favorite part.”
6. Check Your Head: Mental Help for Musicians Podcast
Music journalist Mari Fong started this podcast after several of her favorite musicians—artists who brought her joy with their music—died by suicide. She wanted to create a resource for musicians that needed help with their mental health, whether it’s fighting depression, eating disorders, addiction, or other issues. Each episode features therapists, doctors, and other mental health experts to tackle real-world concerns artists often have. Additionally, the website is home to affordable solutions for musicians everywhere.
7. The Self Work Podcast
Dr. Margaret Rutherford takes her 25 years of psychology experience to help listeners who may not be able to afford therapy or as part of the treatment you’re already doing. She offers compassionate directions to help you get to the state of mental health you want to be in. Recent topics include how to say goodbye and getting out of enmeshment.
One reviewer says Dr. Rutherford’s work pulls back the curtain on therapy. “I enjoy Dr. Rutherford’s soothing voice, as well as the clarity with which she discusses challenges within, and benefits of, the therapeutic relationship. She uses language that is easy to understand, so this podcast is accessible to the general public, not just clinicians.”
8. The Trauma Therapist Project Podcast
Trauma-informed therapy is a growing field of psychology that requires a more thorough understanding of how trauma impacts a patient. Guy Macpherson, Ph.D., is a trauma therapist expert using his podcast to help more therapists apply trauma-informed care in their work.
Episodes are about thirty minutes and usually feature expert guests, like Doreen Hills, MS, NCC, LPC, the founder, and director at the Center for Healing Trauma & Attachment. In that episode, Hills and Macpherson discussed treatment options in healing traumatic distress and what it takes from therapists and healthcare providers.
9. Terrible, Thanks For Asking
This podcast is for those who are tired of saying “fine” when someone asks “how are you.” Podcast host Nora McInerny is famous for her books on moving forward after life has fallen apart—she lost her father, her husband, and had a miscarriage in the span of weeks. Her podcast asks people to share what they’re honestly going through, without the effort of trying to make it all seem fine to others. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes both, this podcast is here to let you know it’s ok to respond honestly when someone asks you “how are you?”
The Atlantic says “The show continuously, unapologetically, ferociously plows into subjects most people are too uncomfortable to touch.”
10. Therapy for Black Girls
Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia who specializes in mental health and personal development. She created this podcast so black women, who often face incredible stigma, seek the care they deserve.
Listeners appreciate her compassionate tone and occasional pop culture references. “Dr. Joy is soft-spoken, informative, intelligent and a breath of fresh air,” one listener writes. “This podcast is very much needed for everyone but especially black women of all ages.”
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11. Not Another Anxiety Show
Kelli Walker is a registered nurse, Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and former agoraphobe who created this podcast to help you deal with all things anxiety: “From the always anxious to the occasionally overwhelmed to the painfully panicked.” Episodes are full of practical advice on dealing with anxiety in everyday situations, including understanding that ultimately, being anxious is being human.
One listener writes: “Just listening to this show brings my anxiety down. I feel totally understood—but mostly just grateful there’s a place to dive into the really hard to talk about parts of dealing with anxiety day in and day out.”
12. Dear Therapists
It’s one thing to hear mental health advice in theory, but what about in practice? Therapists Lori Gottlieb and Guy Winch invite listeners to a real-life therapy session with real-life patients to help them tackle whatever it is they’re facing. Hear patients unload the problems they’re having, and Gottlieb and Winch’s advice in response. Then, hear their follow-up appointment and see how they enacted their therapists’ advice. It’s raw, real, and incredibly intimate, but if you want to know what it’s like on a therapist’s couch, or you’re apprehensive about therapy yourself, this may be a good place to start.
13. The Psych Hub Podcast
Hosts Patrick J. Kennedy and Marjorie Morrison talk to a variety of guests about mental health, from famous singers to executive leaders. The goal is to normalize talking about mental health and understand how normal it is to suffer from mental illness. Topics range from panic attacks, depression, and more. They also speak to mental health organization leaders to discuss the future of mental health and what to expect in the industry.
This podcast is still relatively new, but listeners still appreciate it as a source for mental health issues. “In a time where access to mental health and wellness resources are limited, and so is our budget; this podcast by Psych Hub is an awesome place to start your wellness journey,” one listener writes.
14. The OCD Stories
Stuart Ralph interviews OCD experts in this recovery-focused podcast. According to the podcast, it can take up to 17 years for someone to receive treatment after OCD symptoms begin to show. “We got tired of people not having access to good, reliable and heartfelt information that lights a path in their darkness, and offers solutions,” he writes.
Listeners appreciate it too. “These stories have made me feel so validated and understood, and a bit less of an outlier,” one listener reviewed. “I can’t thank you enough for the collectivism this podcast cultivates, especially for OCD sufferers who can feel so isolated by their disorder.”
15. Cleaning Up The Mental Mess
Mental illness can feel a lot like a mess you constantly have to pick up. Dr. Caroline Leaf, cognitive neuroscience and author, is here to help you clean up that mess. Her podcast is full of practical advice to help you master your emotional, physical, and mental health, from checking your stress levels to protecting your mental health when fighting injustice.
Her advice seems to stick. One reviewer writes: “I’m already so much happier and better equipped to deal with mental health struggles! This is more progress than I have ever made before when paying for therapy sessions. I feel more responsible for and in control of my mental health and behaviors.”
16. Meditation Minis Podcast
For the uninitiated, meditation can feel intimidating, overwhelming, or simply impossible. This is what makes Chel Hamilton’s podcast so great: Each episode is 5-10 minutes long and offers bite-sized meditation moments that are accessible and easy to accomplish. You don’t have to sit perfectly still for thirty minutes to get the benefits of mindfulness with this easy-to-digest podcast.
17. Unlocking Us
“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do.” Dr. Brené Brown has become a pioneer in mental health discussions through her research and work in shame, vulnerability, and empathy. Her podcast is a series of conversations with artists, writers, researchers, and many more. “I want this to be a podcast that’s real, unpolished, honest, and reflects both the magic and the messiness of what it means to be human,” she describes.
18. The Hilarious World of Depression
“One part stand-up comedy and one part therapy session,” veteran radio host John Moe interviews comedians who have dealt with depression at one point or another. With it, Moe hopes to reduce some of the stigma surrounding depression and maybe even make you laugh.
Listeners enjoy the humorous approach. “Thank you for helping me laugh and cry through some of the hardest years of my life,” one listener writes. “These stories and perspectives stick with you in the best of ways, thank you for being so vulnerable and dedicated to other people’s well-being.”
19. The Brain Warrior’s Way Podcast
Why does our brain work the way it does? And what can we do to change it? If you struggle with anxiety, depression, or ADHD, this science-backed podcast is full of practical, everyday advice to help you live with your best brain.
Listeners enjoy these short, focused episodes, with one listener reviewing: “I love and appreciate what Dr. Amen and Tana Amen do to help explain and offer help to all the issues dealing with the complicated aspects of mental health/illness. I love these podcasts, and always learn something new.”
20. Where Should We Begin?
Our relationships impact our mental health significantly. Ester Perel is an NYT best-selling author and renowned couples therapist who takes her years of experience and offers anonymous couples advice on everything from infidelity, sexlessness, exes, and more. By creating space for couples to safely share their concerns, not only are they one step closer to finding peace, but allow listeners to find strength in their own relationships.
21. Anxiety Slayer Podcast
This anxiety podcast is part of a series of courses, guided meditations, and tools to help you manage your anxiety. Hosts Shann Vander Leek and Ananga Sivyer wanted to create a supportive podcast for those struggling with overwhelming anxiety.
It’s worked; more than 8 million people have downloaded their podcast. “If you struggle with anxiety (like so many of us do)—this a must-listen podcast for you!” one listener writes. “Shann and Ananga do a fantastic job leading thoughtful conversations with experts and sharing actionable tips. The tone of the episodes is so calming and gentle that simply listening slows my heart rate.”
22. Happier With Gretchen Rubin
Gretchen Rubin’s Happier is a mental health podcast devoted to helping listeners find a little more joy in their lives. Rubin, the bestselling author of The Happiness Project and Better Than Before, provides practical tips, actionable advice, and her own personal good habits throughout the entirety of this thought-provoking podcast. Her co-host and little sister, Elizabeth Craft, gives their conversations more humor, dimension, and perspective.
23. Ten Percent Happier With Dan Harris
Join host Dan Harris, a self-described “fidgety, skeptical journalist who had a panic attack on live television,” for his mental health podcast: Ten Percent Happier. He found more happiness and peace when he discovered meditation; now, he wants to share what he’s learned with his listeners. On the show, he brings on top meditation teachers, scientists, and the occasional celebrity. Some topics they cover include enlightenment, psychedelics, and science-based techniques for depression, anxiety, productivity, and relationship issues. Harris wants listeners to remember, their progress may be incremental, but it all adds up over time.
24. Latinx Therapy
LatinX Therapy is all about breaking mental health stigmas, especially as they relate to the LatinX community. The podcast regularly shares self-help techniques and tips for how to support ourselves, our friends, and our family with mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. In addition, LatinX Therapy aims to create more cultural competency for people within and working with the Latinx population.
25. Mentally Yours
The hosts of Mentally Yours, Ellen Scott and Yvette Caster, spend their episodes making casual conversation with their amazing guests. Each and every person they talk to has lived with mental illness, including obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and binge-eating disorder. Both hosts know the effects of these issues personally, but aim to provide hope, humor, and evidence that things can and do get better.
26. Griefcast
Griefcast is a weekly mental health podcast in which host Cariad Lloyd interviews media personalities, helping them share stories about the people they have loved and lost. Part of grief is feeling isolated, but we have to remember, grief is a club that no one asked to join—meaning we can be there for each other. In every episode, Lloyd leads natural, engaging conversations with her guests that function as a form of comfort and wisdom. Her bank of episodes include a series of relevant topics that came out during the pandemic.
27. We Can Do Hard Things
Author Glennon Doyle is joined by her sister, Amanda Doyle, and wife, Abbi Wambach, for We Can Do Hard Things – a podcast that has become a mental health lifeline for millions. Essentially, the premise is: Life is hard, but we can do hard things. Specific topics include friendship, addiction, loneliness, divorce, parenting, equality, and boundaries. All three hosts bring a level of authenticity and honesty to what turn out to be difficult, beautiful conversations.
When to See a Therapist for Mental Health Concerns
Podcasts are great resources, whether looking for information or just to know you’re not the only one suffering. But if you’re ready to take the next step in your mental health journey, or your mental illness is impacting your life, consider seeing a therapist. If you’ve never had a therapist before, start here.
