The best mental health podcasts are designed to be seamlessly incorporated into our nonstop schedules. Our collective pace (hint: it’s fast!) is ironically both the reason that prioritizing self-help can be difficult and why it’s so essential. “As a therapist in private practice, I am always encouraging my clients to seek out and utilize resources that supplement their mental health,” says Dr. Terri Bacow, a CBT psychologist based in New York. “We are all painfully busy, and listening to podcasts is a wonderful way to receive support in an efficient and effective way.”
In addition to boosting our daily mental health routines, podcast hosts and guests serve to educate listeners, making them a valuable on-the-go resource. “Podcasts are a great way to allow for deeper learning, connection, and introspection into any topic, especially mental health,” says Dr. Daryl Appleton, who specializes in mental health for high-performers. “I like to remind my clients that the media we consume matters. Adding feel-good and even challenging podcast episodes and topics is a useful way to continue growth and development.”
While experts are quick to note that podcasts aren’t a replacement for therapy, they provide concrete coping skills that can be easily incorporated into your day-to-day life for instant improvement. And finally, mental health podcasts can foster a sense of community—even if you’re listening solo. “The magic of mental health podcasts is that they help people feel less alone,” says Bacow. “You can find a sense of community as well as empathy, compassion, and understanding.”
Grief Out Loud
Produced by Portland's Dougy Center (a community space for children and adults to seek help with grieving) and hosted by social worker Jana DeCristofaro, this podcast touches upon how grief affects families and how to work through it.
