Podcasts · Health & Fitness · Society & Culture
Therapy Works
The Times
290 episodes
Conversations about life's biggest challenges.
More about the show
Bestselling author and psychotherapist Julia Samuel invites us into her therapy room as she talks to both known and unknown voices about events and experiences we will all face - and how we face them.
Therapy Works is full of therapeutic conversations which may contain difficult emotions but can also bring light. Hear what the guests have learnt, have failed to learn and how they’ve grown through the experience.
At the end of each episode, Julia reflects on her session with her two psychotherapist daughters who share their thoughts on the conversation.
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Episodes page 2 of 6
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How Families Are Made in More Ways Than One with Rebecca Coxon
In this episode of Therapy Works, I’m joined by Rebecca Coxon — writer, journalist and documentary director, and author of the book Inconceivable. Rebecca speaks with extraordinary honesty about living with…
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EXPERT EPISODE: Pelvic Floor, Pleasure & Power - The “LibDdo” Conversation with Lucy Kohli
In this expert episode, Sophie is joined by Lucy Kohli - a LiBDO-trained practitioner and yoga teacher - for a refreshingly honest chat about pelvic health, libido, and what it really means to feel alive in your body…
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Sarah Perry on What Death Can Teach Us About Living
Today I am joined by Sarah Perry, award-winning author of The Essex Serpent, Melmoth and, most recently, The Death of an Ordinary Man. Sarah speaks with lyrical honesty about the aftermath of prolonged, severe pain and…
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Agony Aunties: “I Regret Moving” - When a Fresh Start Doesn’t Feel Right
In this episode, Emily and Julia tackle a heartfelt dilemma from a listener who relocated to the North of England to be closer to family, only to find themselves deeply unhappy. Together, they explore the hidden…
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Matthew Gulliford on When Pet Grief Blindsides You
In this episode of Therapy Works, I’m joined by Matthew Gulliford, who opens up about the loss of his beloved French bulldog, Mr. Carson. Matthew describes a kind of grief that completely blindsided him, visceral,…
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Agony Aunties: How Do You Get Loved Ones to Exercise?
In this Agony Aunties episode, Julia, Emily and Sophie respond to a listener’s thoughtful question about how to gently introduce the idea that movement can “move the mind” to the people who may resist it most:…
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Cressida Bonas on Grief That Doesn’t Go in a Straight Line
In this episode of Therapy Works, I sit down with Cressida Bonas for a conversation that feels unusually intimate and quietly brave. We talk about the loss of her older sister Pandora and how saying the word “died”…
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Agony Aunties: When Parenting Doesn’t Match the Picture in Your Head
In this Agony Aunties episode, Emily and Sophie take the reins while Julia continues her recovery, diving into a thoughtful listener question about accepting children with SEN and learning difficulties as academic…
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Charlotte Bellamy on Grieving a Baby She Never Got to Know
In this week’s episode of Therapy Works, I’m joined by Charlotte Bellamy, who speaks with extraordinary openness about the death of her son Finn, who was stillborn at 28 weeks. Charlotte takes us through the shock of…
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Agony Aunties: Feeling Second Best to a Partner’s Late Wife
In this Agony Aunties episode, Sophie and Emily return to answer a deeply thoughtful listener question about feeling second best to a partner’s late spouse. Together, they reflect on communication within relationships,…
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Dr Alex George: “I Looked in the Mirror and Didn’t Recognise Myself”
On the first episode of Season 10 of Therapy Works, host Julia Samuel is joined by Dr Alex George for an unusually candid conversation about what happens when your inner world starts to feel like friction you can’t…
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Agony Aunties: When You Want Another Baby and Your Partner Doesn’t
While Julia recovers from shoulder surgery, Sophie and Emily step in to respond to a painful and familiar dilemma, wanting another child when your partner doesn’t. They explore the emotional deadlock that can arise…
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Agony Aunties: When You Love Your Children… But Don’t Always Like Them
In this Agony Aunties episode, Julia, Sophie and Emily respond to a brave listener who admits she loves her two adult daughters deeply but often struggles to like them. With one daughter feeling unmotivated and the…
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Agony Aunties: When the Therapist Becomes the Patient
In this special Agony Aunties episode, we pause our usual listener questions so Julia can share something personal as she prepares for a reverse shoulder replacement after years of complications from Ramsay Hunt…
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EXPERT EPISODE: Why Divorce Hits Women Differently with Oona Metz
In this expert episode of the Therapy Works podcast, Julia speaks with psychotherapist Oona Metz, author of Unhitched, about her extensive experience supporting women through divorce. Drawing on over 30 years of…
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BONUS: Dealing with Feeling at Christmas with Professor Marc Brackett
In this bonus episode of Therapy Works, I’m joined by Professor Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and author of Permission to Feel and Dealing With Feeling. We talk about…
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Agony Aunties: Surviving the First Christmas After Loss
In this episode, the Agony Aunties respond to a deeply moving question from a widowed father facing his first Christmas after the death of his wife. Six months into grief, he is trying to support three adult children…
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Agony Aunties: Shall I Leave My Husband?
In this Agony Aunties episode of Therapy Works, Julia, Emily and Sophie respond to a deeply moving letter from a listener questioning whether her long, emotionally disconnected marriage can be saved. They explore the…
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BONUS: Dr Anna Colton on Navigating Food Conversations with Children
Emily Samuel engages in a conversation with Dr. Anna Colton about her book, 'How to Talk to Children About Food'. They address common parental fears and misconceptions regarding children's eating habits and emphasise…
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Agony Aunties: Healing After a COVID Loss
In this Agony Aunties episode, Emily, Sophie and Julia respond to a powerful letter from a listener in her fifties who is still grieving the sudden loss of her mother during COVID, while also supporting a teenage…
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Agony Aunties: How Do I Stop Checking My Ex’s Instagram?
In this week’s Agony Aunties episode, Julia, Sophie and Emily answer a painfully relatable listener question about being unable to stop checking an ex’s Instagram — even from a secret second account. They explore why…
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Archie Bland on Parenting Through the Unthinkable
In this episode of Therapy Works, Julia Samuel speaks with journalist Archie Bland - not in his role at The Guardian, but as Max’s dad. Archie describes the night his eight-week-old son stopped breathing, the frantic…
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Agony Aunties: Friendship Breakups and the Courage to Reconnect
In this episode of the Agony Aunties series, the aunties respond to a heartfelt question from a listener about how to rebuild a sense of connection and community in midlife after losing several close friends. They…
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Melissa Hemsley on Anxiety, IVF and Nourishing the Everyday
In this episode of Therapy Works, Julia is joined by cook, writer and wellbeing advocate Melissa Hemsley for a heartfelt conversation about anxiety, self-compassion and finding steadiness in everyday life. Together,…
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Agony Aunties: Feeling Invisible as We Age
In this week’s episode, the Agony Aunties respond to a listener who shares a heartfelt question about feeling invisible and struggling with self-acceptance while growing older. Together, they explore how societal…
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Tracey on Infidelity, Anger and Becoming Herself
This week on Therapy Works, I speak with Tracey, a 55-year-old mother of three, whose story is one of heartbreak, courage, and ultimately, liberation. Tracey describes the moment her marriage of 21 years ended in the…
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Agony Aunties: How to Talk About Social Anxiety
In this Agony Aunties episode, they respond to a listener’s question about managing social anxiety within a relationship. They explore how to communicate openly using “I” statements and metaphors, the importance of…
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Lulu on Why It’s Never Too Late to Be Yourself
In today’s episode, I’m joined by the wonderful Lulu - a woman whose energy fills any room she walks into.From global fame at 15 to finding peace at 77, Lulu shares her remarkable journey of learning to let go of…
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Agony Aunties: Facing the Hard Parts of Therapy
In this episode, the Agony Aunties address a listener's question about the challenging nature of therapy. They discuss the misconception of therapy as a 'quick fix' and explain why the therapeutic process can sometimes…
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Eve on How the Pressure to Have a Child Broke Her Marriage
In this episode, Eve shares her deeply personal story of coming out of a 23-year relationship, including 10 years of marriage, which ended in divorce due to not having children. She reflects on the red flags she missed…
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Agony Aunties: I Think My Partner’s Cheating or Am I Just Anxious?
In this episode, the Agony Aunties return to address a listener's concern about potential infidelity, offering advice on distinguishing between anxiety and genuine red flags. The hosts suggest approaches for starting…
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Olia Hercules on How Creativity Heals in Times of Crisis
In this powerful and tender conversation, I speak with Olia Hercules - author, chef, and activist - about her journey from Ukraine to the UK and the personal and collective challenges she has faced in recent years.…
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Agony Aunties: When Everyone Needs You and You’re Running on Empty
The Agony Aunties tackle a listener's question about managing the stress of a full-time job, parenting two young children, and caring for an ageing parent. They discuss the importance of self-compassion,…
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Deepa Paul on Marriage, Motherhood, and Polyamory
In this fascinating and candid conversation, I speak with Deepa Paul — a Filipino Indian author, mother, wife, and girlfriend about the complexities of love, identity, and open relationships. Deepa shares her…
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Agony Aunties: Navigating Separation and Talking to Children
In this Agony Aunties episode, we address a listener's question on how to talk to children about parental separation. Their answer covers the importance of having the initial conversation together as a family, being…
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Ben Goldsmith on Grief, Nature, and Finding Meaning After Loss
In this deeply moving episode, I speak with Ben Goldsmith - financier, environmentalist, and father - about the devastating loss of his teenage daughter, Iris, in 2019. Ben shares with great honesty the harrowing…
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Agony Aunties: Managing Social Anxiety in Midlife
In this week’s Agony Aunties, we answer a listener’s question about social anxiety returning in midlife. We talk about why it can resurface — from life transitions to physical changes — and share gentle, practical ways…
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Lucy Gossage on The Joy of Difficult Things
In this episode, I talk with Lucy Gossage — oncologist, former professional triathlete, ultra-runner, and co-founder of the Move Against Cancer charity. From winning Ironman races to conquering Britain’s gruelling…
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Agony Aunties: What’s the Line Between Healthy Processing and Negative Self-Talk?
In this episode, the Agony Aunties return to address a listener's question about the often confusing advice regarding feeling emotions versus avoiding negative self-talk. They explain that emotions should be…
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Elizabeth Day on Belonging When Life Doesn’t Go to Plan
In this episode of Therapy Works, I’m delighted to welcome back my friend Elizabeth Day. Elizabeth has done so much to change the way we talk about vulnerability, self-acceptance, and failure - through her writing, her…
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Agony Aunties: Co-Parenting with an Ex When Trust Is Broken
In this Agony Aunties episode, we answer a listener asking how to co-parent after a breakdown of trust. We focus on steadying yourself to steady your child, keeping them out of adult conflict while keeping…
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Grace Spence Green on What Disability Taught Her About Living Fully
In this episode of Therapy Works, I have the privilege of speaking with Grace Spence Green - a junior doctor and wheelchair user whose life changed dramatically after a spinal cord injury caused by a traumatic…
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Agony Aunties: How Do I Cope with Anxiety About My Adult Children?
In this episode of Agony Aunties, the Aunties tackle a listener’s heartfelt question: “How do I cope with the anxiety I feel around my adult children?” Together, they explore: • Why anxiety often has roots in our…
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Dan Snow on Loss, Legacy, and Learning to Live in the Present
In the first episode of the new season of Therapy Works, I sit down with historian and broadcaster Dan Snow to explore the powerful forces that have shaped his life: his family’s legacy of high achievement, his…
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Mini Recap: Nadiya Hussain on Turning Anger Into Determination
In this powerful mini recap, Therapy Works revisits my moving conversation with Nadiya Hussain. Nadiya reflects on growing up surrounded by women who seemed exhausted and unfulfilled, and how that shaped her…
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Mini Recap: Julie Smith on Imposter Syndrome & Everyday Courage
In this mini recap from our season-opening conversation with Dr. Julie Smith, we revisit her reflections on imposter syndrome, success, and the lessons she discovered while writing her bestselling book. Julie shares…
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EXPERT EPISODE: Embracing Good Enough Parenting with Dr. Tara Porter
In this episode, Emily interviews Dr. Tara Porter, a clinical psychologist and author, about her new book, 'Good Enough.' Dr. Porter reflects on her 28 years of experience in child and adolescent mental health services…
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EXPERT EPISODE: The Hidden Wounds We Inherit with Noemi Orvos-Toth
In this episode of the Therapy Works podcast, Sophie welcomes Noemi Orvos-Toth, a Hungarian clinical psychologist and author of 'Inherited Fate,' to discuss her work on trauma, family dynamics, and the importance of…
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Agony Aunties: Navigating Romantic Relationships After Childhood Sexual Abuse
In this episode, the Agony Aunties address a listener's courageous question about pursuing romantic relationships after surviving childhood sexual abuse (CSA). The listener shares their struggle with complex PTSD…
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Agony Aunties: Managing Sibling Squabbles
In this episode, the Agony Aunties answer a listener's question on how to help siblings of different ages get along better daily. They discuss the normality of sibling fights, the importance of setting realistic…
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