Podcasts for therapists
Mental health podcasts for therapists are a great way for clinicians to continue lifelong learning. Whether you're a new clinician building foundational skills or an experienced therapist refining your expertise, staying informed about emerging research, evolving best practices, and changes within the profession is an essential part of providing high-quality care.
Summary
- Podcasts are a convenient way for therapists to stay current on clinical research, ethical practice, emerging treatment approaches, and private practice management between formal continuing education opportunities.
- The most valuable podcasts feature qualified experts, evidence-based discussions, and practical insights that therapists can thoughtfully integrate into clinical practice.
- Podcasts can support professional growth across multiple areas, including clinical skills, business development, professional identity, and lifelong learning.
- While podcasts are an excellent educational supplement, therapists should continue to rely on peer-reviewed research, supervision, consultation, and continuing education when making clinical decisions.
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Traditional continuing education courses remain an important component of professional development, but they are no longer the only way clinicians can expand their knowledge. Podcasts have become an increasingly popular educational resource, allowing therapists to learn from researchers, educators, experienced clinicians, and industry leaders while commuting, exercising, or completing everyday tasks.
The accessibility of podcasts has contributed to their rapid growth over the past decade. According to the Pew Research Center, podcasts have become a mainstream source of information and education, with millions of adults listening regularly.
For mental health professionals, podcasts offer an opportunity to stay engaged with current conversations in psychology, counseling, neuroscience, ethics, private practice management, and healthcare policy outside of formal continuing education settings.
Of course, not all podcasts provide evidence-based information. As with books, blogs, or social media content, therapists should critically evaluate the qualifications of hosts, the quality of information presented, and whether recommendations align with current research and professional ethical standards.
Benefits of mental health podcasts for therapists
Clinical knowledge continues to evolve throughout a therapist's career. New research findings, updated treatment guidelines, changing ethical standards, and emerging therapeutic approaches require clinicians to remain engaged in ongoing professional development.
While journals and textbooks provide in-depth information, podcasts offer a convenient and accessible way to stay informed between formal training opportunities. Many podcasts feature interviews with researchers, authors, and experienced clinicians who translate complex concepts into practical discussions that can be applied in everyday clinical work.
Podcasts can also expose therapists to diverse perspectives and specialties they may not encounter in their daily practice. For example, a clinician who primarily treats anxiety disorders may choose to listen to episodes on neurodevelopmental disorders, grief counseling, couples therapy, or emerging research on trauma-informed care.
This broader exposure can enhance clinical reasoning, encourage professional curiosity, and support interdisciplinary collaboration.
Additional benefits include:
- Learning from nationally recognized experts
- Staying current with emerging research and treatment approaches
- Exploring specialties outside one's primary area of practice
- Reinforcing knowledge gained through continuing education
- Increasing awareness of cultural and social issues affecting mental health
- Finding practical strategies that can be adapted to clinical work
- Gaining insight into private practice management and professional development
For clinicians in rural or underserved areas, podcasts may also help reduce professional isolation by providing ongoing access to conversations within the broader mental health community.
Although podcasts should not replace peer-reviewed literature, supervision, consultation, or formal continuing education, they can be a valuable supplement to a therapist's overall learning plan.
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Types of podcasts therapists may find valuable
One of the strengths of podcasts is the wide variety of topics available. Some focus on evidence-based clinical interventions, while others explore neuroscience, ethics, business management, healthcare policy, or therapist wellness.
Selecting podcasts that align with your professional goals can help maximize the educational value of your listening time.
Clinical education podcasts for therapists
Clinical education podcasts focus on assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, therapeutic techniques, and current research. These programs often feature interviews with researchers, authors, and experienced clinicians who discuss practical applications of evidence-based interventions.
Topics commonly include:
- Trauma-informed care
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Motivational Interviewing (MI)
- Attachment theory
- Child and adolescent mental health
- Couples and family therapy
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Ethics and clinical decision-making
Many clinical podcasts also review newly published books or research articles, making them an accessible way to stay informed about developments within the field.
When evaluating clinical mental health podcasts, therapists should consider:
- Are the hosts licensed mental health professionals or qualified researchers?
- Are research findings accurately represented?
- Does the podcast distinguish between evidence-based practices and personal opinion?
- Are multiple perspectives considered when discussing controversial topics?
Listening critically is just as important as listening regularly.
Practice growth podcasts for therapists
Running a successful private practice requires skills that are rarely emphasized during graduate training. In addition to clinical competence, therapists often need to develop knowledge related to business operations, marketing, technology, finance, and client engagement.
Practice management podcasts can provide practical guidance on topics such as:
- Starting a private practice
- Creating a sustainable business model
- Improving workflow efficiency
- Marketing ethically
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- Insurance credentialing
- Cash-pay practice development
- Documentation and compliance
- Hiring and supervising clinicians
- Financial planning for practice owners
Although business-focused podcasts may not directly improve clinical skills, they can help therapists build sustainable practices that ultimately increase access to quality mental health services.
As with clinical content, therapists should evaluate whether business recommendations align with applicable state laws, payer requirements, and professional ethics.
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Mental health trends and emerging topics
Mental health care continues to evolve alongside advances in research, technology, and public awareness. Podcasts that explore emerging trends can help clinicians stay informed about developments that may influence clinical practice or client expectations.
Examples of topics include:
- Advances in neuroscience
- Digital mental health and teletherapy
- Artificial intelligence in behavioral healthcare
- Trauma-informed organizational practices
- Integrated behavioral health
- Health equity and cultural humility
- Climate-related mental health concerns
- Changes in healthcare policy
- Professional advocacy
- Burnout prevention and therapist well-being
These discussions can help therapists anticipate future developments while encouraging thoughtful consideration of how innovations may affect ethical practice and client care.
It's important to recognize that newer topics often involve evolving evidence. Clinicians should remain open to innovation while also considering the current strength of the research before integrating new approaches into practice.
Recommended podcasts for therapists
The number of mental health podcasts has grown significantly over the past decade, giving therapists access to discussions on evidence-based treatments, neuroscience, ethics, private practice, leadership, and professional development. While podcasts should not replace peer-reviewed literature, supervision, or continuing education, they can be an excellent way to supplement learning and stay engaged with developments across the profession.
The following podcasts are recommended based on their educational value, credibility, and relevance to practicing mental health professionals. Each offers a different perspective on clinical practice or professional growth, allowing therapists to select resources that align with their interests and career goals.
Note: The inclusion of a podcast in this list should not be interpreted as an endorsement of every opinion expressed by hosts or guests. Therapists should evaluate recommendations using current research, professional guidelines, supervision, and consultation when appropriate.
Recommended for staying current on psychological research
Speaking of Psychology
Hosted by: The American Psychological Association
If your goal is to stay informed about current psychological research, Speaking of Psychology is an excellent place to start. Each episode features interviews with leading psychologists and researchers discussing topics ranging from anxiety and depression to neuroscience, relationships, child development, sleep, artificial intelligence, and behavioral health.
Why therapists may find it valuable:
- Evidence-based discussions grounded in current research
- Interviews with internationally recognized experts
- Accessible summaries of emerging findings
- Broad range of clinical and non-clinical topics
This podcast is particularly useful for clinicians who want research translated into practical, real-world applications.
Recommended for professional identity and counselor development
The Thoughtful Counselor
Hosted by licensed professional counselor and counselor educator Mike Shook, The Thoughtful Counselor explores topics that are especially relevant to professional counselors while remaining valuable to psychologists, social workers, and marriage and family therapists.
Episodes frequently explore:
- Counselor identity
- Multicultural counseling
- Clinical supervision
- Counselor education
- Ethics
- Diversity and inclusion
- Leadership within the profession
Many guests are counselor educators, researchers, and experienced clinicians who provide thoughtful discussions about the evolving counseling profession.
Recommended for observing therapeutic conversations
Dear Therapists
Hosted by: Lori Gottlieb and Guy Winch
Unlike many educational podcasts, Dear Therapists allows listeners to hear experienced clinicians working through real-life relationships and emotional challenges with guests.
Although the podcast is intended for a general audience, therapists often appreciate hearing how the hosts:
- Build rapport
- Ask thoughtful questions
- Explore emotional patterns
- Offer psychoeducation
- Balance validation with gentle challenge
- Guide clients toward insight and behavioral change
For graduate students and early-career clinicians, the podcast offers valuable examples of therapeutic communication and clinical reasoning.
Recommended for trauma and attachment
The Trauma Therapist Podcast
Hosted by trauma therapist Guy Macpherson, this long-running podcast features interviews with respected trauma clinicians, researchers, and educators from a variety of therapeutic orientations.
Common topics include:
- Complex trauma
- PTSD
- Attachment
- Somatic therapies
- EMDR
- Dissociation
- Therapist resilience
- Clinical innovation
One of the podcast's strengths is its diversity of perspectives, exposing listeners to multiple approaches while emphasizing trauma-informed care.
Recommended for attachment, neuroscience, and relationships
Therapist Uncensored
Hosted by licensed marriage and family therapists Ann Kelley and Sue Marriott, Therapist Uncensored bridges attachment theory, interpersonal neurobiology, and relational psychotherapy.
Episodes often focus on:
- Attachment science
- Emotional regulation
- Couples relationships
- Family dynamics
- Brain development
- Trauma recovery
- Relational health
Clinicians interested in integrating neuroscience with psychotherapy will likely find this podcast particularly engaging.
Recommended for ethics, professional practice, and therapist development
The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide
Hosted by licensed marriage and family therapists Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy, this podcast addresses many of the practical and ethical issues therapists encounter throughout their careers.
Topics frequently include:
- Professional ethics
- Documentation
- Clinical boundaries
- Supervision
- Telehealth
- Technology
- Therapist advocacy
- Burnout prevention
- Professional identity
The conversational format makes complex professional topics approachable while encouraging thoughtful reflection.
Recommended for private practice owners
The Practice of Therapy Podcast
Hosted by Gordon Brewer, a licensed marriage and family therapist with decades of private practice experience, The Practice of Therapy focuses on helping therapists build sustainable, client-centered practices.
Episodes cover topics such as:
- Practice management
- Marketing
- Financial planning
- Workflow optimization
- Technology
- Hiring
- Entrepreneurship
The podcast is particularly helpful for clinicians who own, or are considering opening, a private practice.
Recommended for starting and growing a practice
The Private Practice Startup
Created specifically for mental health professionals, The Private Practice Startup focuses on helping therapists establish and grow successful private practices.
Frequent topics include:
- Launching a practice
- Branding
- Website development
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- Networking
- Insurance credentialing
- Cash-pay practices
- Scaling a business
Although business-focused, the podcast consistently emphasizes ethical marketing and sustainable practice growth.
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Recommended for psychotherapy theory and clinical reasoning
Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast
Hosted by psychiatrist Dr. David Puder, this podcast provides in-depth discussions of psychotherapy, neuroscience, personality disorders, psychopharmacology, and clinical reasoning.
Episodes often feature leading researchers and clinicians discussing topics such as:
- Personality disorders
- Trauma
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Therapeutic alliance
- Clinical decision-making
- Integrating psychotherapy with neuroscience
Although some episodes explore psychiatric topics, the discussions of psychotherapy and clinical formulation are highly relevant for therapists across disciplines.
Recommended for couples therapy and relationship work
Where Should We Begin?
Hosted by: Esther Perel
In Where Should We Begin?, internationally recognized psychotherapist Esther Perel invites listeners into real couples therapy sessions, offering an opportunity to observe therapeutic process in action.
Therapists may find this podcast valuable for its demonstrations of:
- Therapeutic presence
- Reflective listening
- Emotion-focused interventions
- Couples dynamics
- Clinical pacing
- Curiosity and empathy
- Therapeutic alliance
While the podcast is not intended as formal clinical training, many therapists appreciate the opportunity to observe an experienced clinician navigating complex relational issues with warmth, flexibility, and skill.
Choosing Podcasts That Fit Your Professional Goals
No single podcast can cover every aspect of professional development. Instead, consider building a listening library that reflects your clinical interests and career goals.
If you want to learn more about… | Consider listening to… |
|---|---|
Psychological research | Speaking of Psychology |
Counselor identity and supervision | The Thoughtful Counselor |
Clinical interviewing | Dear Therapists |
Trauma treatment | The Trauma Therapist Podcast |
Attachment and neuroscience | Therapist Uncensored |
Ethics and professional issues | The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide |
Private practice management | The Practice of Therapy Podcast |
Starting a practice | The Private Practice Startup |
Clinical formulation | Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast |
Couples therapy | Where Should We Begin? |
Ultimately, the most valuable podcasts are those that encourage therapists to think critically, remain curious, and continue learning throughout their careers. By combining podcast learning with peer-reviewed research, consultation, supervision, and formal continuing education, clinicians can build a well-rounded approach to ongoing professional development.
Benefits of podcasts for continuing education
While podcasts generally do not qualify for formal continuing education credit unless specifically approved by a licensing board or CE provider, they can complement ongoing professional learning in meaningful ways.
Therapists often use podcasts to:
- Reinforce concepts learned during formal training
- Explore new treatment approaches
- Stay informed about current research
- Learn from experienced clinicians
- Increase exposure to diverse theoretical orientations
- Discover new books and scholarly articles
- Prepare for conferences or workshops
Many podcast hosts also provide references, reading lists, or interviews with authors that encourage listeners to engage directly with the primary literature.
How podcasts support therapist growth
Professional development extends beyond acquiring new clinical techniques. Podcasts can support growth across several domains of competence.
Clinical skills
Listening to experienced clinicians discuss assessment, interventions, and case conceptualization can broaden therapeutic thinking and introduce new perspectives.
Professional identity
Many podcasts explore topics such as burnout, imposter syndrome, supervision, consultation, and career transitions, helping clinicians navigate the evolving challenges of professional practice.
Business development
For therapists in private practice, podcasts provide practical insights into marketing, technology, financial management, and workflow improvements that are often absent from graduate education.
Lifelong learning
Perhaps most importantly, podcasts encourage intellectual curiosity. Regular exposure to new ideas, research, and professional conversations helps therapists remain engaged throughout their careers.
Integrating podcast learning into clinical practice
Listening alone rarely changes clinical practice. Meaningful professional growth occurs when new information is critically evaluated, integrated with existing knowledge, and applied thoughtfully within one's scope of competence.
Consider the following strategies:
- Verify clinical recommendations against current research and professional guidelines.
- Discuss new ideas during supervision or peer consultation.
- Read the primary research cited by podcast guests whenever possible.
- Reflect on how new concepts align with your theoretical orientation.
- Introduce new interventions only after obtaining appropriate training when necessary.
- Document professional learning as part of your ongoing professional development plan.
Podcasts should be viewed as a starting point for learning rather than the final authority on any clinical topic. Combining podcast discussions with peer-reviewed literature, continuing education courses, consultation, and reflective practice helps ensure that clinical decision-making remains grounded in evidence and ethical standards.
Streamline your practice with One EHR
- Scheduling
- Flexible notes
- Template library
- Billing & payments
- Insurance claims
- Client portal
- Telehealth
- E-fax
Resources for mental health therapists
Theraplatform is an all-in-one EHR, practice management and teletherapy solution with AI-powered notes and Wiley Treatment Planners that allow you to focus more on patient care. With a 30-day free trial, you have the opportunity to experience Theraplatform for yourself with no credit card required. Cancel anytime. They also support different industries including mental and behavioral health therapists in group practices and solo practices.
More resources
- Therapy resources and worksheets
- Therapy private practice courses
- Ultimate teletherapy ebook
- The Ultimate Insurance Billing Guide for Therapists
- The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Private Therapy Practice
- Insurance billing 101
- Practice management tools
Free video classes
- Free on-demand insurance billing for therapist course
- Free mini video lessons to enhance your private practice
- 9 Admin tasks to automate in your private practice
References
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Speaking of Psychology [Audio podcast]. https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology
Brewer, G. (Host). (n.d.). The Practice of Therapy Podcast [Audio podcast].https://practiceoftherapy.com
Gottlieb, L., & Winch, G. (Hosts). (2021–present). Dear Therapists [Audio podcast]. https://lorigottlieb.com/podcasts
Kelley, A., & Marriott, S. (Hosts). (n.d.). Therapist Uncensored [Audio podcast]. https://therapistuncensored.com/episodes-2
Perel, E. (Host). (n.d.). Where Should We Begin? [Audio podcast]. https://www.estherperel.com/podcast
Puder, D. (Host). (n.d.). Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast [Audio podcast].https://www.psychiatrypodcast.com
Shook, M. (Host). (n.d.). The Thoughtful Counselor [Audio podcast]. https://paloaltou.edu/resources/the-thoughtful-counselor-podcast
The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide. (n.d.). The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide [Audio podcast]. https://therapyreimagined.com/modern-therapist-podcast
The Private Practice Startup. (n.d.). The Private Practice Startup [Audio podcast]. https://www.privatepracticestartup.com/podcasts-by-episode
The Trauma Therapist Podcast. (n.d.). The Trauma Therapist Podcast [Audio podcast]. https://www.thetraumatherapistproject.com/podcast
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Speaking of Psychology. https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology
Cho, D., Cosimini, M., & Espinoza, J. (2017). Podcasting in medical education: A review of the literature. Korean Journal of Medical Education, 29(4), 229–239. https://doi.org/10.3946/kjme.2017.69
Pew Research Center. (2023). Audio and podcasting fact sheet. https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/fact-sheet/audio-and-podcasting
Van Zanten, R., Somogyi, S., & Curro, G. (2012). Purpose and preference in educational podcasting. British Journal of Educational Technology, 43(1), 130–138. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2010.01153.x
FAQs about podcasts for mental health therapists
What are the best podcasts for therapists?
Popular choices include Speaking of Psychology, The Trauma Therapist Podcast, Therapist Uncensored, Dear Therapists, and The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide, depending on your clinical interests and professional goals.
Can therapists earn continuing education (CE) credits by listening to podcasts?
Most podcasts do not qualify for CE credit unless they are specifically approved by a licensing board or continuing education provider.
How should therapists evaluate mental health podcasts?
Look for podcasts hosted by qualified professionals that reference current research, distinguish evidence from opinion, and align with ethical and professional standards.
