Healthy & Awake Podcast

Why Therapy Culture Is Making Us Worse | Jonathan Alpert

August 23, 2026·27 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Therapy culture has made more people ask whether every difficult moment needs to become a diagnosis or a treatment plan. Jonathan Alpert argues that good therapy should help people become more capable, but it can keep people stuck when it becomes an endless routine rather than a path toward real change. Mike Vera, MS, NBC-HWC, host of the Healthy & Awake Podcast, talks with him about choosing a therapist, the difference between feeling better and getting better, and CBT tools for challenging your own thinking.A note before you listen: this conversation covers mental health and substance use. It is shared for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. If you are struggling or in crisis, support is available 24/7: in the US, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). Outside the US, contact your local emergency services or crisis line.🔎 ABOUT THE GUEST — JONATHAN ALPERTJonathan Alpert is a psychotherapist, executive coach, and media commentator. He is the author of Therapy Nation: How America Got Hooked on Therapy and Why It’s Left Us More Anxious and Divided.- Website: https://www.jonathanalpert.com/- Therapy Nation: https://www.jonathanalpert.com/the-book- X: https://x.com/JonathanAlpert- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanalpert/🕒 HEALTHY & AWAKE® TIME MANAGEMENTHealthy & Awake® Time Management helps you put a simple system behind the things that matter to you. It includes 20 short lessons, five printable worksheets, and Health Routine Head Start. $47 one-time payment, lifetime access, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.→ https://healthyandawake.com/time?utm_source=healthy_awake_podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=jonathan_alpert&utm_content=course_ad🔗 FOLLOW & LISTEN — HEALTHY & AWAKE- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healthyandawake- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/445erBVLF6J49TRAOtB0nk- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healthy-awake-podcast/id1668607581- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikeverahealth- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikeverahealth- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfvera—DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any condition. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.

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