What Your Therapist Is Reading ®

Jessica Fowler
  • 5.0 (39)
  • Mental Health

Do you ever wonder what kind of books therapists read and recommend to their clients?  If so, welcome!  This is your go to podcast for books related to mental health and self-help.  At What Your Therapist is Reading, we talk about a wide range of topics that people may be struggling with in life.  Join Jessica Fowler, psychotherapist and book enthusiast who knows that the right book can completely change how we see ourselves. Jessica talks with authors about the messy, honest parts of being human and how their words can help us heal and show up better for ourselves and each other. Jessica Fowler brings her almost 20 years’ experience to the show to talk about all aspects of mental health. Please note information shared is for informational and educational purposes only.

  1. 2d ago

    Burnout Recovery isn't Bubble Baths- What Actually Works with Morgan Johnson

    Follow along on social media @therapybookspodcast to learn more about what I am reading. *Information shared on this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Many of us experience burnout at some point in our lives.  Sometimes we realize what is happening and other times we don’t. Sometimes it is left untreated and can become depression.  Morgan Johnson shares how her own burnout during the time she was obtaining her licensure hours ultimately lead to her focusing on helping others recover from burnout.  Today we explore that with her book Eight Keys to Healing, Managing, and Preventing Burnout (affiliate link).   Show Highlights What Burnout Really Is Signs And Symptoms Training System Pressure Micro Habits That Help Intentional Rest How The Book Works The Stress Cycle The Long Game Plans Self Compassion   About the author Morgan Johnson is an author, speaker, and psychotherapist based in Fort Worth, Texas. She has been providing counseling services primarily for people experiencing burnout, betrayal, and breakups for over a decade. Her first book, Rebuilding Trust, was published in 2022.

  2. Sep 9

    Seeds of Equanimity with Micheal Uebel, PhD

    Find out what else I am reading @therapybookspodcast *Information shared on this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Psychotherapist and host Jessica Fowler welcomes Dr. Michael Uebel to discuss his book, "Seeds of Equanimity: Knowing and Being” (affiliate link). Dr. Uebel explores equanimity as a flexible, spacious, and open way of relating to experience rather than changing external reality. Drawing on Stoicism, Daoism, Zen Buddhism, and ACT, Dr. Uebel explores the importance of the "what" of experience over chasing "why”. We explore mindfulness and Dr. Uebel offers a listening practice. Show Highlights Stoicism and Therapy Lens  Defining Equanimity Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Purposeless Mindfulness Practicing Just Listen Names vs Identity Key Takeaways Peace Process Acceptance and Flow About the author Michael Uebel, PhD, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and Research Affiliate at the University of Texas, Austin. He has taught literature and theory at the University of Virginia, Georgetown University, the University of Kentucky and the University of Texas, and has published widely on cultural and intellectual history and on mental health practice. His most recent book is Seeds of Equanimity: Knowing and Being (2025).

  3. Sep 2

    Working through Divorce with Oona Metz

    Follow along on soical media @therapybookspodcast *Information shared on this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Psychotherapist and host Jessica Fowler interviews therapist Oona Metz about divorce and her book “Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women” (affiliate link).  For the past 15 years, Metz has specialized with working with women going through divorce and during todays episode, shares what she has learned and how to support women going through this transition. Previously, rates of divorce often surrounded addiction, affairs and abuse.  Metz shares that the reasons are more nuanced now.  Metz shares ways that women can grow through this difficult time. Show Highlights: Divorced today explained and why marriage end Parenthood and the mental load Emotional journey of divorce Rebuilding identity About the author: Oona Metz is the author of Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women. Her book has been featured on The CBS Morning Show, in Time Magazine and on NPR’s Morning Edition. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, a Certified Group Psychotherapist and a Fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association. Her writing has appeared in outlets including The Psychotherapy Networker, Psychology Today, Social Work Voice and the Los Angeles Review. She has 30 years of clinical experience and specializes in treating women navigating divorce. Oona leads three weekly Divorce Support Groups for Women and is the founder of the Beacon Group Fellowship, a program which trains mental health professionals across the country to lead divorce groups.

  4. Aug 26

    Overcoming Social Anxiety with Deborah Dobson, PhD

    Follow along on social media @therapybookspodcast *Information shared on this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Psychotherapist and host Jessica Fowler interviews CBT specialist Deborah Dobson, PhD about her book, Living Well with Social Anxiety: Practical Strategies for Improving Your Daily Life (affiliate link). Dobson shares her definition of social anxiety, which includes avoidance and reassurance seeking from partners, friends, and therapists. Dobson shares psychoeducation, values-based goal setting, coping and grounding skills, as we discuss social anxiety.   Show Highlights     Why Social Anxiety Defining Social Anxiety Avoidance and Safety Behaviors Rumination After Events Psychoeducation And Early Roots Parenting Shy Kids Exposure Based Treatment Practice Examples and Games Coping And Grounding Tools Maintaining Skills Long Term Real World Scenarios About the author:   Deborah Dobson, PhD has specialized in cognitive behavior therapy throughout her career, particularly in the understanding and treatment of social anxiety disorder. She began the first Certificate program in CBT in Western Canada through the University of Calgary.  She has provided supervision and training in cognitive behavior therapy in Canada and internationally. Her textbooks (along with co-author Keith Dobson) Evidence-Based Practice of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (2009, 2017) have been adopted by many clinical training programs. Her new book Living Well with Social Anxiety: Practical Strategies for Improving Your Daily Life (2026) is intended for anyone affected by social anxiety.

  5. Aug 19

    Burnout Recovery with Shaina Siber, LCSW

    Follow along on social media @therapybookspodcast *Information shared on this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Psychotherapist and host Jessica Fowler interviews Shaina Siber, LCSW—founder of Affirm Mental Health and host of the Affirming Minds podcast—about burnout and Shaina’s book, Using ACT and CFT for Burnout Recovery: Beyond the Blueprint (affiliant link). Shaina shares about her own burnout after working in a hospital during COVID, where burnout and moral injury were pervasive. Shaina explores symptoms of burnout such as exhaustion, cynicism/disengagement, cognitive impairment, and emotional impairment.  Shaina explores how values and self-compassion play a role in recovery of burnout.    Show Highlights Why Burnout Defining Burnout Signs First Steps and Values Systemic Causes and Fixes Book Blueprint Overview Self-Compassion That Works Favorite Exercises and Tools About the author: Shaina Siber, LCSW, is the founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited continuing education program for therapists and the host of The Affirming Minds Podcast. She is an integrative therapist and educator with over 15 years of experience. She specializes in burnout recovery for high achievers, healthcare workers and parents and champions trauma informed, culturally humble and LGBTQ affirming care.

  6. Aug 11

    Adult ADHD with Dr. Laura Knouse

    Follow along on soical media @therapybookspodcast *Information shared on this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Book (affiliate link) Psychotherapist and host Jessica Fowler interviews Laura Knauss, PhD all things ADHD as we discuss her book Living Well with Adult ADHD: Practical Strategies for Improving Your Daily Life. DR. Knauss describes adult ADHD as a disorder of self-regulation affecting school, work, parenting, driving, and relationships, often involving emotional impulsivity and follow-through challenges. The book can be read cover to cover or as a practical, pick-what-you-need resource with brief assessments that identify a problem and then directs its readers to targeted strategies, while also building in acceptance and self-compassion to counter self-mistrust and negative self-talk. Dr. Knouse explains CBT for adult ADHD as skills-focused support for executive functioning plus working on thoughts and feelings, including “permission-giving” thoughts. Show Highlights   Adult ADHD Explained Self-Compassion and Identity CBT for Adult ADHD Choice Points and Momentum Three Parts in the book Favorite Hacks Research Support and Next Steps   About the author: Dr Knouse is a professor of psychology at the University of Richmond and a licensed clinical psychologist. At Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, she received specialized training in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for adults with ADHD and contributed to research on this approach. Dr. Knouse continues to research and write about how CBT for adults with ADHD can be improved and implemented--from  how college students with ADHD can study more efficiently to how thoughts may hinder the use of new skills. Dr. Knouse is the author of over 40 research articles and co-author of Thriving in College with ADHD: A CBT skills approach and Living Well with ADHD: Practical Strategies for Improving Your Daily Life.

  7. Aug 5

    Real Skills for Real Life with Jesse Finkelstein, PsyD

    Follow along on social media @therapybookdspodcast *Information shared on this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Book (affiliate link) Psychotherapist and podcast host Jessica Fowler interviews Jesse Finklestein, PsyD. who co-authored Real Skills for Real Life: A DBT Guide to Navigating Stress, Emotions and Relationships with Shireen L. Rizvi, PhD.  In this episode, we explore the modules of DBT which include mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness can be used to help people in everyday life.  In addition, Dr. Finklestein explains DBT’s skills can help toward change not just in behavior but in creating hope and tolerating pain. He describes the book’s accessible, design-driven format, including having visual elements and “skills paths” to help readers choose tools for specific situations.     Show Highlights: Values Versus Goals Why DBT Skills Matter Four DBT Modules Skills Not Identity How The Book Works Design And Accessibility Dialectics And Connection   About the author: Dr. Jesse Finkelstein is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in cognitive behavioral therapies, including DBT and exposure-based treatments. He is the founder of Axis Psychology in New York (axiscbt.com) and Chief Content Officer at TheraHive (therahive.com), a platform focused on psychoeducation skills.

  8. Jul 29

    Chronic Pain with Dr. Carly Hunt

    Follow along on social media @therapybookspodcast *Information on this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Book (affiliate link) Psychotherapist and host Jessica Fowler interviews sports and health psychologist Dr. Carly Hunt about her book, Train Your Brain to Beat Chronic Pain: How to Harness the Power of the Mind-Body Connection.  In addition to sharing about her history of childhood medical trauma and intermittent pain, Dr. Hunt explores many aspects of chronic pain including how trauma can contribute to nervous system sensitization.  Dr. Hunt emphasizes building a multidisciplinary care team, activity pacing with time-contingent rest, and mindfulness to reduce pain-related worry. Show Highlights How Chronic Pain Works Grief/Hope Stressors How to Start with Understanding/Accepting Chronic Pain Mindfulness Skills Pain Reprocessing Therapy Five Percent Wins Integrative Care Plan About the author: Dr. Carly Hunt is a sport & health psychologist, author, consultant, and former D1 golfer. Her holistic approach blends sport, health, and positive psychology to help people build inner resources that support excellence and mind-body health. She completed her BA in Psychology from Georgetown University, MA in Kinesiology and PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Maryland, and postdoctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Find her on the web at www.presentmindconsulting.com and www.thinkbettergolf.com.

See All (100)

5
out of 5
39 Ratings

About

Do you ever wonder what kind of books therapists read and recommend to their clients?  If so, welcome!  This is your go to podcast for books related to mental health and self-help.  At What Your Therapist is Reading, we talk about a wide range of topics that people may be struggling with in life.  Join Jessica Fowler, psychotherapist and book enthusiast who knows that the right book can completely change how we see ourselves. Jessica talks with authors about the messy, honest parts of being human and how their words can help us heal and show up better for ourselves and each other. Jessica Fowler brings her almost 20 years’ experience to the show to talk about all aspects of mental health. Please note information shared is for informational and educational purposes only.

Information

You Might Also Like