Therapy Works

Julia Samuel

Bestselling author and psychotherapist, Julia Samuel, invites us into her therapy room as she talks to both known and unknown voices about some of life’s biggest challenges.

Therapy Works is full of therapeutic conversations which may contain difficult emotions but those that can paradoxically bring light, in all its form.

Listeners will hear what the guests have learnt, failed to learn and how they have grown through their experience. At the end of each episode, Julia reflects on her session with her two psychotherapist daughters who will share their thoughts on the conversation. You’ll quickly discover that not all therapists agree on everything!

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271 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes271

Newest first

Oct 29, 2025 · 55 min
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 in her youth, the challenges of poor communication, and the emotionally abusive dynamics that developed over time. Despite her loving family and strong support system, Eve grapples with feelings of grief and complexity regarding her ex-husband. She discusses the immense pressure she felt around having a child and how her identity and self-esteem were affected in the process. Ultimately, Eve seeks understanding and a way to move forward, emphasising the importance of being heard, valued, and having open communication in relationships. More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: ⁠⁠⁠https://juliasamuel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠ Follow Julia on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@juliasamuelmbe ⁠⁠⁠for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations.If you need help finding a therapist, visit: ⁠⁠⁠The Samuel Therapy Practice⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 24, 2025 · 11 min
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 calm and honest conversations with partners, discussing the importance of addressing relationship anxiety, maintaining personal well-being, and considering couples therapy. The episode underscores the value of open communication and exploring underlying relationship issues before jumping to conclusions. More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: ⁠⁠https://juliasamuel.substack.com/⁠⁠ Follow Julia on Instagram: ⁠⁠@juliasamuelmbe ⁠⁠for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations.If you need help finding a therapist, visit: ⁠⁠The Samuel Therapy Practice⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 22, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
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. Olia reflects on living with Fragile X syndrome, both in her own life and with her son, and shares the deep psychological impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine. She speaks movingly about the importance of family, culture, and heritage, and how traditions of food, art, and gardening can offer strength and continuity even in times of great upheaval. Her new book, Strong Roots, is both a celebration of family history and a testament to the power of creativity and nourishment as acts of therapy and resistance. Through our conversation, Olia shows how self-care, cultural memory, and connection to the land can sustain us through pain and uncertainty. This is an episode about resilience, belonging, and the healing role of tradition in the most difficult times. Find Olia: Instagram: @oliahercules Book: https://amzn.eu/d/htX5MKtWebsite: https://oliahercules.com/ More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: ⁠⁠https://juliasamuel.substack.com/⁠⁠ Follow Julia on Instagram: ⁠⁠@juliasamuelmbe ⁠⁠for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations.If you need help finding a therapist, visit: ⁠⁠The Samuel Therapy Practice⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 17, 2025 · 12 min
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, prioritisation, and setting boundaries without feeling selfish. They suggest considering personal limits and adopting the concept of 'essential maintenance' instead of 'self-care'. Additionally, they emphasise the importance of repairing moments of irritability with children and collaborating with partners to manage household tasks. The episode also references resources such as the 'Motherkind Podcast' and the 'Fair Play' book by Eve Rodsky for better task distribution. More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: ⁠⁠https://juliasamuel.substack.com/⁠⁠ Follow Julia on Instagram: ⁠⁠@juliasamuelmbe ⁠⁠for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations.If you need help finding a therapist, visit: ⁠⁠The Samuel Therapy Practice⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 15, 2025 · 1 hr
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 experience of a 17-year marriage alongside a 5-year relationship with her boyfriend, reflecting on the different needs these partnerships meet and the honesty required to sustain them. Her book, Ask Me How It Works: Love in an Open Marriage, answers the questions so many are curious about, while challenging misconceptions around polyamory and ethical non-monogamy. We talk about the importance of self-reflection, the “emotional housekeeping” needed to maintain multiple relationships, and the courage it takes to live authentically in the face of cultural expectations and societal judgment. Deepa’s story is one of resilience, curiosity, and a deep commitment to love in its many forms. This is a conversation about freedom, boundaries, and what it really means to build relationships with integrity and care. Find Deepa: Instagram: @storiesbydeepa Book: https://amzn.eu/d/2xGUhRI Website: https://www.storiesbydeepa.com/ More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: ⁠https://juliasamuel.substack.com/⁠ Follow Julia on Instagram: ⁠@juliasamuelmbe ⁠for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations.If you need help finding a therapist, visit: ⁠The Samuel Therapy Practice⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 10, 2025 · 13 min
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 honest and age-appropriate, avoiding blame, and reassuring children about the changes and constants in their lives. Key points include practicing the conversation in advance, maintaining a unified narrative, and providing ongoing support. Resources like Cafcass, Gingerbread, and Family Lives are suggested for further support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 8, 2025 · 1 hr
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 moments surrounding her death and the tidal wave of grief that followed. He describes how he turned to nature as a source of solace and strength, and how his connection to the natural world became a lifeline in the darkest times. Our conversation explores the transformative power of grief - how it can break us open, teach us to surrender to life’s mysteries, and ultimately invite us to live with greater presence and meaning. Ben speaks about the enduring imprint Iris has left on his life and how her spirit continues to inspire his renewed passion for rewilding and environmental work. This is an episode about love, loss, and the resilience of the human heart. Ben’s story is painful, yet hopeful, reminding us that from the depths of sorrow, it is possible to find connection, purpose, and even joy again. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at ⁠betterhelp.com/therapyworks⁠ and get on your way to being your best self. Find Ben: Instagram: @bengoldsmith Substack: https://bengoldsmith.substack.com/ Book: https://amzn.eu/d/9IQTFpX More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 3, 2025 · 11 min
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 to manage it, from planning ahead to leaning on allies. Above all, it’s about self-compassion and staying connected. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 1, 2025 · 58 min
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 Spine Race, Lucy has built her life around challenge and growth. She speaks candidly about facing fear and failure, the heartbreak of betrayal, and the process of finding closure. We explore how adventure, deep friendships, and joy can help us recover and move forward. Drawing on her work in oncology, Lucy also shares profound lessons from her patients about resilience, connection, and what truly matters in life. This conversation is about courage, adversity, and the choice to live fully — with all the risks and rewards that entails. Find Lucy: Instagram: @lucygossage More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 26, 2025 · 8 min
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 acknowledged and processed, whereas negative self-talk should be identified, challenged, and dialled down. They discuss mindfulness techniques, the importance of self-awareness, and how our body and mind interact in this process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 24, 2025 · 1 hr 9 min
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 speaking, and of course her brilliant podcast How to Fail. In our conversation, Elizabeth opens up about her personal journey through childlessness and fertility struggles, and how she has found both peace and purpose through her creative life. We talk about her new book, One of Us, and the powerful themes it explores: what it means to belong, how failure shapes us, and why honest connection is essential for our wellbeing. Elizabeth shares with great warmth and insight how writing and her conversations on How to Fail have helped her understand herself and others more deeply. This is a conversation about resilience, creativity, and finding meaning in the places we least expect. I so loved this conversation, and I hope you do too. If you’d like to try BetterVits, you can get 15% off sitewide with my code JULIA15 at⁠ ⁠⁠bettervits.co.uk/discount/Julia15⁠. I’m keen to hear your thoughts! Find Elizabeth: Instagram: @elizabday Website: https://www.elizabethday.org/ Substack: theelizabethday.substack.com Buy her new book One of Us: https://amzn.eu/d/5IZTy96 More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 19, 2025 · 13 min
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 communication open and age-appropriate, and putting clear, written boundaries in place - a simple parenting plan, predictable handovers, and one co-parenting app for all logistics. We suggest shared reading to build a common language, leaning on a small support team (friend, therapist, mediator), and simple self-care so you can be consistent. The aim is a workable, child-centred plan that protects secure relationships with both parents. If safety is a concern, please seek professional and legal support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 17, 2025 · 56 min
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 accident. Grace shares with such honesty the physical and psychological challenges she faced during her rehabilitation, and how she has learned to navigate the daily realities of life in an able-bodied world. What shines through is her remarkable courage, her ability to redefine her own story, and her deep commitment to disability justice movements. We talk about the importance of community support, the role of radical acceptance in finding peace, and how she continues to build a fulfilling life and career as a doctor. Grace also speaks about her relationships, her writing, and her advocacy for better understanding and treatment of disabled individuals. I hope you find Grace’s story as moving and inspiring as I did. If you’d like to try BetterVits, you can get 15% off sitewide with my code JULIA15 at⁠ ⁠⁠bettervits.co.uk/discount/Julia15⁠. I’m keen to hear your thoughts! Find Grace: Instagram: @gracesg Buy Her Book: To Exist As I Am by Grace Spence Green | Waterstones To Exist As I Am a book by Grace Spence Green - Bookshop.org UK TO EXIST AS I AM by Grace spence Green is published by Profile, £16.99 hardback. Support Links: Radical Acceptance in DBT — overview of the skill discussed in the episode: https://dialecticalbehaviortherapy.com/distress-tolerance/radical-acceptance/ ADHD UK: https://adhduk.co.uk/ National Autistic Society: https://www.autism.org.uk/ More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing — it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations.If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 12, 2025 · 14 min
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 earliest relationships Practical self-soothing tools you can try straight away — from breath work to grounding exercises How to find balance with a partner when worries spill over Ways to set healthy boundaries around communication with your children The power of separating facts from anxious thoughts The conversation blends insight with compassion, reminding us that while worry is natural, it doesn’t have to run our lives. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/therapyworks and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 10, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
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 insatiable drive for professional fulfilment, and the challenges of finding joy in the present moment. Dan speaks candidly about how closely his work and personal identity are entwined and how this sometimes makes it difficult to savour life’s simplest pleasures, like a beach holiday with his children. We also discuss the influence of history not only on nations, but on individuals: how the personal lives of historical figures informed their decisions, and how curiosity and context can deepen our understanding of both the past and the present. Dan shares movingly about loss, reflecting on his experience of a late-term miscarriage and the importance of family and community in helping us survive grief.Our conversation closes with reflections on what history can teach us about resilience, the power of storytelling, and why curiosity remains one of the most vital tools for personal growth. If you’d like to try BetterVits, you can get 15% off sitewide with my code JULIA15 at bettervits.co.uk/discount/Julia15. I’m keen to hear your thoughts! Find Dan: Instagram: @thehistoryguy Podcast: Dan Snow’s History Hit More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 3, 2025 · 14 min
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 determination to carve a different future. She opens up about the moment her parents forbade her from going to university at 18, threatening to change the locks if she left home and the fury, grief, and powerlessness that followed. Instead of giving up, Nadiya turned her anger into relentless hard work, taking on multiple jobs and forging her independence. Later in life, she reclaimed her dream, studying at university while raising three children, with the unwavering support of her husband Abdul - the same man who signed her up for Bake Off. This is just a glimpse of our conversation. Nadiya’s honesty and courage were deeply inspiring, and I’d highly recommend listening to the whole episode - it’s a story of defiance, determination, and the power of finding your own path. Listen to Nadiya's full episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/nadiya-hussain-on-defying-expectations-fighting-self/id1646616622?i=1000698819007 Find Nadiya: Website: https://www.nadiyahussain.com/Instagram: @nadiyajhussain Buy Nadiya's new book 'Rooza': https://www.nadiyahussain.com/book/rooza/ Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 27, 2025 · 13 min
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 how the process of writing became as much about her own growth as it was about guiding others, and why cultivating metacognition — the ability to notice and direct our thoughts — is key to making choices that shape our lives. She also opens up about facing fear during her cancer diagnosis, rewriting her chapter on fear in real time, and finding courage through small, daily decisions. It’s a powerful reminder that transformation often happens step by step. If you enjoyed this recap, be sure to listen to the full conversation with Julie for even more insight and inspiration here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dr-julie-smith-on-cancer-career-and-parenthood/id1646616622?i=1000691252914 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 20, 2025 · 39 min
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 (CAMHS) and the pressing need to address rising mental health issues among young people. The conversation delves into the challenges of modern parenting, the dangers of perfectionism, and the importance of cultivating a 'good enough' approach. They discuss balancing firmness and kindness, modelling emotional competence, and the shifting landscape of childhood activities and expectations. The episode emphasises the value of being present in the moment and fostering a supportive and realistic parenting environment. Read Dr Porter's Book: https://amzn.eu/d/hKy7HrI Follow Julia on Instagram for more tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges: @juliasamuelmbe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 13, 2025 · 35 min
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 understanding transgenerational trauma. Noemi shares insights about the significance of education in mitigating trauma, the impact of unmet parental expectations, and the role of collective traumas. She emphasises the importance of storytelling in family life, the detrimental effects of secrets, and the potential for healing through acknowledgment and conversation. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/therapyworks and get on your way to being your best self. Noemi's Website: https://orvostothnoemi.hu/en Buy Noemi's Book: https://amzn.eu/d/bfbT3FH Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 8, 2025 · 16 min
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 (C-PTSD) and interest in dating, emotions they find challenging to navigate. The Agony Aunties emphasise the importance of going slowly, staying in therapy, and reclaiming one's sexuality and agency. They suggest resources such as 'Healing Sex' by Staci Haines and Bessel Van der Kolk's 'The Body Keeps the Score,' among others. They also discuss the significance of communication and consent in new relationships and encourage the listener to be patient and compassionate with themselves during their healing journey. If you’re going through something similar, I’d really recommend listening to Kate Silverton and Charles Spencer's episodes —they both offer comfort, insight, and a sense that you’re not alone. You can find the links below: Kate Silverton: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/kate-silverton-on-the-hidden-struggles-behind-her/id1646616622?i=1000662497155 Charles Spencer: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/charles-spencer-on-speaking-out-about-his-experience/id1646616622?i=1000648985885 Follow Julia on Instagram for more tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges: @juliasamuelmbe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices