Rephonic
Artwork for The SelfWork Podcast
Mental Health
Depression
Therapy
Grief
Perfectly Hidden Depression
Parenting
Anxiety
Self-Acceptance
Family Dynamics
Perfectionism
Relationships
Trauma
Loneliness
Enmeshment
Empathy
Bipolar Disorder
Self-Compassion
Self-Care
Mindfulness
Childhood Trauma

I'm Dr. Margaret, a psychologist for over 30 years, TEDx speaker, and the author of Perfectly Hidden Depression. I created The SelfWork Podcast in 2016 to explain mental health treatment and to give you the chance to consider therapy without thinking it's weird or that it somehow suggests you can't fix your own problems. My team is very honored that nine years later, SelfWork has earned nearly 5 m... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes558Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Self-ImprovementEducationHealth & FitnessMental Health

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The SelfWork Podcast

Latest Episodes

Disillusionment is defined in psychology as a "belief collapse." And the grief that that implosion can cause can be very hard to work through.

Today's focus will be on how to do just that - get through disillusionment.

What is disillusionment?

Dis... more

YouTube

The subject for today is how to talk with a perfectionist about your concern for them. Or if you’re the perfectionist, how to allow someone into your world enough for you to hear that concern. I'll offer five definite approaches that work and you'll ... more

YouTube

Therapy harm is the topic this week, as Dr. Margaret welcomes her guest Dr. Patricia Dixon to SelfWork.

What is therapy harm?

We talk more openly than ever about the benefits of therapy, but less about the ways therapy can unintentionally cause har... more

YouTube

What's the most recent news for depression sufferers in 2026?

That's the question Dr. Margaret researched today. Some new treatments are available now; some are still trying to get FDA approval. But there's a lot of promise out there, especially for... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Dr. Patricia Dixon
Licensed clinical psychologist, professor, author, life coach based in Tampa Bay area
Manatee Counseling (and related ventures)
Episode: 506 SelfWork: Therapy Harm: Straight Talk with Dr. Patricia Dixon
Courtney Smith
Coach, group facilitator and consultant; Enneagram expert
Courtneysmithconsulting.com; What We're Really Up To newsletter
Episode: 503 SelfWork: Important Insights Into How to Interpret the Enneagram with Courtney Smith
Amy Kurtz
Patient advocate and health coach
amykurtz.com / Author of But You Look Fine
Episode: 502 SelfWork: The Medical and Mental Trauma of Chronic Invisible Illness with Amy Kurtz
Will Van der Veer
Psychiatrist and psychedelic researcher; co-founder of Integrative Psychiatry Institute
Integrative Psychiatry Institute
Episode: Introducing How To!: “How To Take Psychedelics for Your Mental Health with Dr. Will Van Derveer”
Myq Kaplan
Comedian, philosopher, and participant in the discussion about psychedelics
Comedy/Entertainment
Episode: Introducing How To!: “How To Take Psychedelics for Your Mental Health with Dr. Will Van Derveer”
Paul Gilmartin
Host of Mental Illness Happy Hour Podcast
Mental Illness Happy Hour
Episode: 500 SelfWork: Paul Gilmartin On Healing from Maternal Sexual Abuse
Dr. Rady Rahban
Beverly Hills plastic surgeon known for discussing emotional and psychological aspects of confidence
Plastic Surgery Uncensored
Episode: 498 SelfWork: Plastic Surgery: Understanding Its Psychological Side with Dr. Rady Rahban
Marlee Liss
Advocate, author, trainer on restorative justice for sexual violence
Survivors for Justice Reform; marleyliss.com
Episode: 496 SelfWork: Restorative Justice: Marlee Liss on Rape and Her Path to Healing
Dr. Tara Cousineau
Clinical psychologist, yogi, and author
Harvard Counseling and Mental Health Services; author of The Perfectionist's Dilemma
Episode: 494 SelfWork: Masterclass: Befriending Your Inner Critic with Dr. Tara Cousineau

Host

Dr. Margaret Rutherford
Host of Self Work Podcast; psychologist with 30+ years of practice; author focused on practical mental health insights.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.7k ratings
  • Powerful Info

    Just found this podcast and I’m so glad I did. A tremendous resource with helpful specifics delivered well.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hjhodges
    United States4 months ago
  • Love the Title

    As a therapist, I love that Dr. Margaret has created a resource for people who are not quite ready to venture into full-time therapy. I love the range of topics she covers and the guests she interviews. Great resource.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dr. Nicole Theron Parkes
    United States4 months ago
  • Great, Extremely Helpful Podcast!

    I love Dr. Margaret and The Self-Work Podcast! It’s been so helpful to me.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    1977C
    United Statesa year ago
  • Have to skip the 2 minute long advert, easy listening, but actually only really relevant to women.

    Podcast Addict
    3
    Conrad B
    2 years ago
  • Learning a lot

    Margaret has so many insights and the ability to convey complex mental health issues in a way that is easy to understand. She also just brings so much warmth and compassion to her episodes. A great podcast to listen to if you are looking to learn or make positive changes in your life.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lucy M.P
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests and topics are diverse, covering therapy, culture, and personal growth with warmth.
Listeners praise the host's compassionate, easy-to-follow delivery and practical tools.
Some listeners note ads affect flow, but content remains valuable and actionable.
Many describe the show as a reliable resource for mental health education and self-work.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

505 SelfWork: What's The Most Recent News For Depression Sufferers in 2026?
Q: How do you know if a relationship was meaningful to the other person, and how should someone find closure when that's uncertain?
The host discusses that emotional closure often has to come from within; if the other person's feelings aren't clearly shared, focus on internal forgiveness, gratitude for positive memories, and building a sense of peace for yourself.
507 SelfWork: How to Effectively Talk To A Perfectionist
Q: What should someone do if their partner is enmeshed with a parent and seems to prioritize the parent's needs over their own family?
Identify and name specific observations without blame, encourage smaller, manageable conversations, consider involving a therapist or family therapy to address enmeshment dynamics, and explore gradual steps toward deeper emotional transparency while respecting the person's need for control.
Introducing How To!: “How To Take Psychedelics for Your Mental Health with Dr. Will Van Derveer”
Q: Are ketamine and MDMA the same thing, and how robust are the findings that they work?
They are different substances with distinct mechanisms and evidence bases; ketamine has solid evidence for depression relief and rapid effect, while MDMA has shown promise but faced regulatory hurdles and mixed regulatory outcomes, with ongoing questions about how studies are designed.
504 SelfWork: Your Questions and Answers: Is Anorexia Back "In", Borderline Moms, and Mother/Son Enmeshment
Q: I don't really know how to explain my situation. How do I address a mother who was emotionally unavailable and still maintain a relationship without letting her dysfunction continue to hurt me?
Acknowledge the history and the impact it had, recognize that the parent's capacity for empathy may be limited, and actively work on creating boundaries and seeking support elsewhere to meet your emotional needs. Consider therapy to process grief, establish boundary conversations, and practice radical acceptance to reduce ongoing emotional harm while gradually redefining the relationship in a healthier, more sustainable way.
503 SelfWork: Important Insights Into How to Interpret the Enneagram with Courtney Smith
Q: What is a common misconception about Enneagram tests, and how can people get more value from them?
Tests are snapshots; the real value comes from using them to build self-awareness, exploring underlying beliefs, and applying the insights with other modalities to foster change.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The SelfWork Podcast

What is The SelfWork Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show offers practical mental health guidance through concise, actionable episodes hosted by a seasoned psychologist. Topics span therapy basics, self-work, perfectionism, trauma, grief, and the psychology behind everyday behaviors, often featuring expert guests, authors, and clinicians who share research-backed insights and personal experiences. Audiences likely range from therapy-minded listeners to professionals seeking accessible mental health strategies, with episodes peppered by sponsor reads and real-world applicability. A standout quality is the host's warm, empathetic delivery and a consistent focus on what listeners can actually do to improve well-being, making complex concepts approachable for a broad audience.

Where can I find podcast stats for The SelfWork Podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The SelfWork Podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The SelfWork Podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The SelfWork Podcast get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The SelfWork Podcast, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The SelfWork Podcast?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The SelfWork Podcast, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The SelfWork Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The SelfWork Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The SelfWork Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The SelfWork Podcast:

1. The Adult Chair Podcast with Michelle Chalfant
2. On Purpose with Jay Shetty
3. The Mel Robbins Podcast
4. The Healing Trauma Podcast
5. Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

How many episodes of The SelfWork Podcast are there?

The SelfWork Podcast launched 10 years ago and published 558 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The SelfWork Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The SelfWork Podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The SelfWork Podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The SelfWork Podcast?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The SelfWork Podcast. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The SelfWork Podcast?

Recent guests on The SelfWork Podcast include:

1. Dr. Patricia Dixon
2. Courtney Smith
3. Amy Kurtz
4. Will Van der Veer
5. Myq Kaplan
6. Paul Gilmartin
7. Dr. Rady Rahban
8. Marlee Liss

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days