Five Great Podcasts for Mental Health Counselors

Mental Illness Happy Hour
Counselor Toolbox Podcast
The Trauma Therapist
The Thoughtful Counselor
Brain Science Podcast

Five Great Podcasts for Mental Health Counselors

According to the WHO, the mental health crisis surges all over the world, the demand for all kinds of mental health professionals from therapists and counselors to psychiatrists and social workers has risen sharply. In addition to schooling and credentials, each of these professionals demands regular continuing education to keep abreast of new developments, best practices, and rising patient demand.

Continuing education sources take many forms, from blogs and articles to books and podcasts. Here are five of the best podcasts for mental health counselors.

Mental Illness Happy Hour

Mental Illness Happy Hour is an unusual mental health podcast that principally interviews people working in the arts and entertainment industry such as comedians, actors, and artists. Comedian Paul Gilmartin hosts, and also occasionally interviews mental health professionals – usually doctors.

Mental Illness Happy Hour is available via download on its website, or via iTunes or Google Podcasts.

Counselor Toolbox Podcast

The Counselor Toolbox Podcast dedicates itself to providing continuing education and area-specific training of great use to counselors, including relationships, addiction, treatment methods, and case studies. Counselors may also utilize the podcast for continuing education hours to maintain their certification via course purchases on the podcast’s website. Hosted by Dr. Dawn Elizabeth Snipes, who teaches in addition to her career in mental health treatment, the podcast is available on Google Music, Stitcher, and several other platforms.

The Trauma Therapist

A must-listen for counselors who specialize in trauma, The Trauma Therapist Podcast deals with trauma of all kinds – from the trauma produced by abuse and assault to the trauma inflicted on refugees and the homeless by their circumstances, environment, and the cruelty of society. Hosted by Dr. Guy Macpherson, the podcast features a broad array of mental health experts from broad experts in trauma to those specializing in specific types. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher.

The Thoughtful Counselor

The Thoughtful Counselor Podcast challenges counselors to think outside of the box where treatment and counseling methods are concerned, discussing and encouraging applying counseling in new and innovative ways to more effectively treat patients. The podcast has a wide range of topics from combat trauma to the impact of exercise on the brain.

The podcast has an array of hosts, including Mike Shook, Allison Kramer, Raisa Miller, Megan Speciale, and Aaron Smith. It is available on Apple Podcasts, Sticher, and Podbean.

Brain Science Podcast

Hosted by Dr. Ginger Campbell, the Brain Science Podcast broadly discusses neuroscience and its various applications. While a neuroscience podcast may not seem like the most obvious choice for a counselor, its long list of topics discusses anything and everything stemming from and impacting the brain, making it a valuable resource for counselors in planning treatment methods and learning new information about what can produce, exacerbate, or alleviate the symptoms of many mental illnesses. This podcast is available on Stitcher, PlayerFM, and Apple Podcasts.

Each of these podcasts features a different array of information from different experts that can have a great impact on counselors – and help them continue to keep their patients well and healthy.