Science Vs Returns For 11th Season: Can Talking About It Help?

 Did you ever hear the expression, "talk is cheap?" Well, when it comes to talk in the mental health field, talking to a professional is typically expensive. The question in the first episode of Science Vs's 11th season is, "But is it effective?"

   There are a lot of fads, blogs, and strong opinions, and then there’s the Science Vs podcast, from Gimlet, A Spotify Studio, to break down what’s fact, what’s not, and what’s somewhere in between. Returning for its 11th season, with special guest host producer Rose Rimler, today’s premiere episode takes a deep dive into the world of therapy to ask -- with the time, efforts, and costs associated, does it actually help people?

 The past 18 months has taken a toll on mental and physical health across the nation; according to one survey from the CDC, at the end of last year, more than 40% of people in the US said they were feeling symptoms of anxiety or depression. With many turning to therapy for help, Science Vs sits down with psychologist Jonathan Shedler to explore the subject of psychoanalysis; Professor Bunmi Olatunji, a clinical psychologist at Vanderbilt University, to discuss Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); and Nancy McWilliams, a therapist and professor at Rutgers University, on what makes for a good vs bad therapist.

This season on Science Vs, the podcast will go beyond its award-winning coverage of the coronavirus to delve into a variety of compelling new topics ranging from the misconceptions and fads behind weight loss, the medicalization of childbirth, studies into shorter work weeks, whether we are inching closer to bringing dinosaurs back, and much more. 

Listen to the season trailer: HERE

 And if you’re feeling depressed, or you just want to talk to someone, in the US you can call the National Mental Health Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). 

That number will be in the show notes, along with other resources.