Top Psychology Podcasts For Mental Health

Are you interested in learning more about how the mind and the brain work, but only have so much time in your day? You might consider tuning in to a psychology podcast so you can download some knowledge while commuting, doing laundry, or simply relaxing on the couch.

Of course, with so many psychology podcasts to choose from, it can be hard to tell which ones are worth your time. That’s why we’ve put together this list of our favorite shows about behavior, mental health, and self-help. Read on for a breakdown of some of the best podcasts for psychology enthusiasts.

Psychology podcasts for mental health 

Listening to experts explain human behavior, psychiatric disorders, relevant psychological research, and other mental health topics can be enlightening. The following podcasts—which can be found online and through most streaming services—can help you learn more about psychology, relationships, emotional wellness, and a variety of other mental health-related topics.  

Speaking Of Psychology

If you’re looking for an academic podcast from hosts and guests with top-notch credentials, you might enjoy Speaking of Psychology. Produced by the American Psychological Association, this psychology podcast invites leading psychologists and other mental health professionals to discuss topics like recent peer-reviewed research. Psychology students and enthusiasts alike will find this to be a treasure trove, offering insights into the latest psychological studies and recent discoveries in brain science.

This isn’t generally considered a pop-psych podcast, and there are better options if you’re just looking for a quick dose of self-help. But, if you appreciate deep dives into fascinating psychology topics, Speaking of Psychology might be perfect for you. Past episodes have covered many mental health topics, such as living with bipolar disorder to the possible evolutionary reasons for the human sense of fairness.

Where Should We Begin?

Esther Perel is a practicing psychotherapist, and her show is structured as a combination of personal storytelling and live counseling. She specializes in dealing with relationship issues, and most episodes involve her talking with individuals or partners about their challenges with love, sex, and interpersonal connections. Where Should We Begin has tackled possibly challenging questions ranging from the effects of infidelity to the complexity of communicating with people from different backgrounds.

This show can provide a window into the incredibly varied ways in which people can connect with each other. The conversations can be deeply, sometimes painfully honest, with guests telling the stories of the biggest challenges they’ve faced in their friendships and love lives. Perel’s empathetic, insightful voice can help many face the most important questions despite their fears.

The Mental Illness Happy Hour

The Mental Illness Happy Hour is a podcast series focused on what it can be like to live with psychological difficulties. Many of the guests are knowledgeable mental health professionals imparting helpful knowledge — but the show is more about connecting and expressing than educating.  

Hosted by comedian Paul Gilmartin, this show involves unstructured chats with guests from all walks of life about their own experiences around mental health. Paul also has unfiltered stories from listeners, possibly giving people a space to express their sorrows, joys, hopes, fears, and struggles. You may want to skip it if you’re not a fan of dark humor, or tune in if you want some reassurance that you’re not the only one who sometimes finds it hard to feel okay.

Not Another Anxiety Show

If you often turn to podcasts and other electronic media to distract yourself from anxious feelings and negative thinking, you might benefit from tuning into Not Another Anxiety Show.

Created by a registered nurse and wellness coach, this podcast offers a wide range of actionable tips and evidence-based techniques for managing worry and panic. Host Kelli Walker also has insights she’s gained from her own experience of overcoming chronic agoraphobia. The tone is friendly and funny offering practical guidance on how to keep anxiety disorder from dominating your life.

The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast

“Everyday mental health advice, delivered in everyday language.” That’s the mission statement of The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast. A clinical psychologist, Dr. Robert Duff launched this show after getting tired of the way information about mental illness and self-help is often obscured by jargon that many people struggle to understand. He aims to break down complex topics into clear, straightforward terms so that his audience can better understand what’s going on in their heads. The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast offers practical advice on concerns like substance use, anxiety, and depression. 

Most episodes are based on listener questions about their personal mental health struggles. Duff tackles these questions head-on and strives to give each person realistic, practical advice. If you appreciate this “no-frills” approach to psychological help, you may be able to find something relevant to your own life.

Popcorn Psychology

Many believe that podcasting is at its best when it sits at the intersection of education and entertainment. That’s exactly what you get with Popcorn Psychology, which uses movies and TV shows as a springboard to discuss specific topics related to mental health, emotions, and relationships. The hosts are all practicing mental health professionals bringing their expertise to bear on what’s on screen.

If you’ve ever wanted to hear what a relationship therapist would say about Mrs. Doubtfire or wondered what The Princess Bride could teach you about grief, this might be the podcast for you. You may be surprised by how much psychological depth your favorite films could be hiding.

Tara Brach

One of the most interesting developments in psychology from the past few decades is the discovery that the ancient spiritual practice of meditation can benefit mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. If you are interested in trying meditation but unsure how to start, this self-titled show from renowned meditation teacher Tara Brach may be able to help.

Some episodes of Tara Brach are guided meditations offering simple instructions for focusing your awareness and quieting your mind. Others are informative talks about specific aspects of meditation practice or the philosophy underpinning it. Brach’s meditative approach is regarded by many to be rooted in Buddhist traditions, but her advice for aspiring meditators can be available to those of any background.

Hidden Brain

This is a podcast created by popular demand. Fans of NPR’s science correspondent Shankar Vedantam asked him to create a show where he could delve into greater depth on the kinds of topics he discussed on the radio, and Hidden Brain was the result. Not every episode is about psychological research, but all of them can offer illuminating discussions about how people think, relate, and grow.

Vedantam is known by many for both storytelling and interviewing. Hidden Brain is well-researched, effective, and highly engaging, touching on a variety of psychological themes. Listeners may enjoy this show for its combination of interesting information and compelling narratives. If you’re a fan of shows like Stuff You Should Know, Radiolab, and 99% Invisible, you may enjoy Hidden Brain.

The Psychology Podcast

The Psychology Podcast from Scott Barry Kaufman is a long-running show that features a number of experts from a broad range of disciplines, each offering compelling insights into how to better understand yourself and others. Recent episodes explore tips for living a happy life, the philosophy of free will, and the psychology of secrets.

Host Scott Barry Kaufman is a renowned scientist in the psychology field, known for his work in understanding human potential. His often-cited research relates to personal growth, intelligence, creativity, and self-actualization.

The Stanford Psychology Podcast

Whether you’re a psychology student or are just interested in learning more about your mind, you’ll find useful information in the Stanford Psychology Podcast. Led by students attending the world-renowned psychology department at Stanford University, the Stanford Psychology Podcast explores various facets of the field of psychology and how they relate to our lives. Recent episodes have touched on the effects of distance learning, the use of virtual reality in education, and climate change. 

Terrible, Thanks for Asking

There are many reasons why people can be reluctant to talk about what’s wrong in their lives—from fear of being seen as needy to sheer emotional fatigue. As a result, many of us just say “fine” when people ask how we’re doing. Terrible, Thanks For Asking is all about taking the opposite approach. On this show, host Nora McInerny invites guests to talk about why they feel like their lives are falling apart, offering a heartening glimpse into what it means to navigate challenging times with resilience and self-compassion.

This might be more of a self-help podcast than a psychology podcast. However, listeners might find that hearing others speak frankly can make them feel less alone. 

Shrink Rap Radio

The science of psychology can include a fascinating range of different theoretical frameworks and therapeutic approaches. Shrink Rap Radio takes the audience on a grand tour of this multifaceted field. Every episode brings on a different guest to discuss their area of expertise and pass on up-to-date insights from their work.

Listeners interested in the incredible diversity of ideas within psychological research might appreciate this show’s eclectic approach. Past episodes have covered topics including Jungian dream interpretation, sex therapy, and the psychology of animals. It’s an audio smorgasbord packed with intriguing information about the science of the mind. 

Therapy Chat

Therapy Chat, hosted by psychotherapist Laura Reagan, LCSW-C, focuses on innovative approaches to psychotherapy. Created with therapists, counselors, and coaches in mind, this show has covered topics as diverse as mindfulness, trauma therapy, addiction recovery, cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, parenting, and social psychology. If you’re a mental health worker looking to understand more about therapy and self-help, this may be a beneficial psychology podcast.

Other psychology podcasts about self-help, mindfulness, human behavior, and emotions

If you’re looking for a mental health podcast on a topic not listed above, there are several other titles you can explore, including the Anxiety Coaches Podcast, Inside Mental Health Podcast, Positive Psychology Podcast, and Trauma Therapist Podcast. There are forensic psychology podcasts, as well as nutrition psychology and sports psychology podcasts. You can find psychology podcasts on topics as varied as incorporating creative arts into psychotherapy and starting your personal practice journey as a mental health professional. Often, a quick search (e.g., “psychology podcasts on cognitive decline”; “best sports psychology podcasts”) can help you find relevant titles.

Mental health experts offer self-help and self-care tips in therapy

Podcasts can be great sources of psychology-related information, including pragmatic tips on self-help and self-care. They aren’t generally a substitute for personalized care from a licensed therapist, though. If you’re living with symptoms of a mental health disorder and you want to get well, you may want to get help from a professional. 

Online therapy platforms can be helpful in connecting you with trained mental health professionals from anywhere with an internet connection.

Is online therapy and counseling effective? 

Online therapy and counseling isn’t just convenient for many—it can also be effective. Clinical trials have found details that suggest that it can help clients recover from a wide range of mental health disorders, and it doesn’t appear to be any less helpful than face-to-face treatment. If you’d like to learn more about your own mental health, internet therapy can be an excellent way to get started.