The continued increase in the use of technology over the last two decades has brought many helpful advances in almost every field, including mental health treatment. The option of virtual sessions has made participating in therapy easier. The internet has made important information about mental health and excellent resources available at the click of a button. And social media has played a big part in helping to destigmatize mental illness.
Seeing and hearing other people—whether a stranger, a friend, or a celebrity—talk about their struggles with mental health helps make us feel less alone. And that sense of community often encourages those struggling to take steps towards treatment. There is nothing wrong with needing help and wanting to feel better—and some truly exceptional mental health audiobooks and podcasts are available to keep you company on that journey.
Therapy audiobooks and podcasts are not just great for people looking to supplement their treatment—they're also great for therapists. You can never stop learning when it comes to fresh approaches and advancements in your field. Here are 15 of the best therapy audiobooks and podcasts for anyone looking for more information and guidance about mental health, therapy, and treatment. Some are serious and some are lighthearted, but they all share the same goal: helping people feel better.
A chef doesn't cook without ever tasting their own food, so it only makes sense that a therapist would attend therapy. That's what Lori Gottlieb discovered in this enlightening memoir that is a perfect audiobook for therapists and patients alike. Lori Gottlieb, a practicing therapist, found herself facing a difficult time in her life. So, she did what her patients had done: seek help from a therapist. What she learned in her therapy sessions not only helped in her life; being on the other side of the couch also shed light on her own practice. This New York Times best-selling book is wonderfully narrated by accomplished AudioFile magazine Earphones Award–winning narrator Brittany Pressley.
Celebrated singer, songwriter, and composer Rufus Wainwright is very open with discussing his own mental health. And in this excellent entry in Audible’s Words + Music series, he documents his thoughts and feelings over three one-hour installments with the help of his therapist. Setting out from his hometown of St. Sauveur, Quebec, Rufus and his therapist, Mark, talk about his childhood and memories, his life in a showbiz family, and his hopes and fears. The episodes are interspersed with many beautiful songs from a live performance, recorded specifically with this trip in mind.
Grammy Award-winning singer Michelle Williams, a former member of the band Destiny's Child, talks about how she kept her struggles with depression hidden for years, and how reaching out for help saved her life. Williams openly and honestly discusses the importance of rejecting the lies of anxiety and depression, healing old wounds, and forgiving ourselves and others. Using her status as a celebrity, Williams helps listeners to realize that it is okay to have troubles, no matter what your situation, and that there is always help available.
This inventive Audible Original Podcast focuses on the plight of five teenagers in a wilderness mental health facility when the apocalypse hits. As the only survivors, they will have to figure out how to deal with not only the end of the world but also what will happen when their meds run out. Performed by a full cast, this 19-episode show was created for Audible by author and actor Gaby Dunn, who, like one of her characters, has Bipolar II. Dunn, who invested research and care in giving accurate portrayals of each character's condition, says she hopes Apocalypse Untreated will help overcome some of the myths around living with a mental illness.
Here’s another great therapy audiobook that isn't just for patients. Nicole Arzt, licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of Psychotherapy Memes, gives an honest and refreshing account of the tools therapists need to help others and themselves. Her candid insights and advice for clinicians include lessons in coping with excruciating insecurities, setting healthy and effective boundaries, and managing burnout and compassion fatigue. Audiobook narrator Sara Gordon lends her considerable vocal talents to this helpful therapy audiobook.
This helpful, hopeful memoir, narrated by the author, is a New York Times best seller and one of Reese Witherspoon's book club picks. Christie Tate was having trouble making sense of the deep sadness and dark thoughts she was experiencing, especially since she was finally living the life she had always wanted. So, she joined a psychotherapy group. Despite her initial skepticism, Tate discovered how connecting with others made a world of difference. Group is an engaging listen with lessons about the life-changing power of seeking help for mental health challenges—and being willing to talk and listen.
In this best-selling audiobook, licensed psychologist Seth J. Gillihan outlines 10 easy yet essential strategies for applying CBT to everyday issues such as worry and anger. In straightforward language, Dr. Gillihan explains core principles, provides action steps and supportive guidance for creating and meeting goals, and offers helpful self-evaluation sections to help you track your progress and reflect on what you’ve learned. Veteran audiobook narrator and actor Stephen Hoye lends his voice to this vital resource that will help you overcome challenges and improve your well-being.
This fascinating audiobook offers a different approach to mental well-being: getting back to the natural world. Writer Florence Williams investigated the theory that nature has healing properties. She cites examples of successful artists throughout history who turned to the outdoors for health and inspiration. And she also explains the truths behind how spending time outdoors can have positive effects on the brain, promote reflection and innovation, and strengthen our relationships. Accomplished narrator Emily Woo Zeller helps bring The Nature Fix and its wisdom to life.
In this popular mental health podcast, two Austin-based therapists, Sue Marriott and Ann Kelley, and their esteemed guest experts explain the research in modern attachment, relational neuroscience. and trauma, all in a relatable and interesting way. Recent episode topics include "Conquer Shame by Understanding the Science Behind the Feeling," "How Good Boundaries Bring Us Closer," and "Secure Parenting While Under Stress."
Bessel A. van der Kolk, a pioneering researcher in trauma, uses recent scientific advances to explain how trauma literally reshapes the body as well as the brain. He explores innovative treatments that offer new paths to recovery, with the hopes that these suggestions will help people take back control of their lives. Veteran audiobook narrator Sean Pratt, who has voiced more than 1,000 audiobooks, clearly explains van der Kolk's advice for helping to start the healing.
On each episode of this podcast, which is a great resource for therapists and healers, psychotherapist Laura Reagan talks to other experts in the fields of mental health therapy and treatment. Together, they offer insights into perfectionism, worthiness, authenticity, self care, trauma, attachment, parenting, relationships, mindfulness, and more. Recent episode topics include "The Importance of Conflict for Healthy Relationships," "Finding Support for Partners and Families of Trauma Survivors," and "Creativity and Imposter Syndrome."
Dr. Nicole LePera, creator of "The Holistic Psychologist," an online community with more than two million Instagram followers, is known for her united philosophy of mental, physical, and spiritual wellness. In this powerful audiobook, LePera explains how to recognize patterns of trauma, codependency, emotional immaturity, and more, and how to stop self-sabotaging and get on the path to healing. Esteemed audiobook narrator and actress Courtney Patterson helps give voice to LePera's insightful words and proven tools.
