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.
Elizabeth Gilbert on Love Addiction, Grief and Life After Eat, Pray, Love
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 • Duration 01:16:27
Elizabeth Gilbert became a worldwide phenomenon with Eat, Pray, Love, a memoir about finding herself after heartbreak, but in this interview she tells Julia Samuel her story didn't end on the final page.
Despite years of talking therapy, extraordinary success and profound self-awareness, she continued to find herself caught in destructive relationships, searching for someone who could finally make her feel safe.
In her new memoir, All the Way to the River, Elizabeth Gilbert writes about her relationship with Rayya Elias, the great love of her life, whose addiction and eventual death brought them both to devastating places. She speaks openly about identifying as a sex and love addict, the difference between understanding our behaviour and actually changing it, and how her desperate need for love and connection led her to abandon herself.
Together, Elizabeth Gilbert and Julia explore the childhood experiences that shape our relationships, why we can become addicted to emotional intensity, and the difference between feeling good and genuinely being well. Elizabeth also shares the painful reality of grieving Rayya, the shame surrounding love addiction and how recovery has taught her to set boundaries, stop people-pleasing and begin caring for the younger parts of herself.
This is a powerful conversation about love, obsession, grief and recovery, and what it really takes to stop looking to other people for the safety and belonging we need to find within ourselves.
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Join Julia, Emily and Sophie for a special live Therapy Works event in London on 7th December, exploring how to navigate the challenges of Christmas. Book your tickets here.
Looking for therapy? Julia runs the Samuel Therapy Practice alongside her daughters, Emily and Sophie. If you're looking for support or help finding the right therapist, visit www.samueltherapypractice.com.
Support resources:
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) – Peer support and recovery meetings for people experiencing love addiction, romantic obsession, codependency or compulsive sexual behaviours.https://slaauk.org/
Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) – A Twelve Step fellowship supporting people who want to develop healthier relationships and address patterns of codependency.https://codauk.org/
Cruse Bereavement Support – Emotional support and guidance for anyone experiencing grief following a death.https://www.cruse.org.uk/ | Helpline: 0808 808 1677
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
03:21 Elizabeth Gilbert on sex and love addiction
07:13 Why understanding your behaviour isn't enough to change it
11:20 How do you recognise addiction?
16:14 Childhood wounds and the fear of abandonment
20:26 Elizabeth's relationship with Raya and the dangers of addiction
25:06 When love becomes destructive
29:45 Why sex and love addiction remains a taboo
33:05 Recovery, honesty and learning to see yourself
34:47 The difference between feeling good and being well
42:01 Grieving Raya and questioning how we grieve
48:00 Learning to put yourself first in recovery
55:30 Spirituality, surrender and finding peace
1:02:38 Mother/Daughter Reflection: Love, addiction and emotional sobriety
1:08:36 Why self-awareness alone isn't enough
1:13:33 Why healthy relationships can feel boring
If you found this conversation helpful:
You may also enjoy Julia's conversation with Rosanna Brown, exploring profound grief, the impact of bereavement on family life and finding a way forward after tragedy.
Prepping: how to stop living in fear of disaster with Professor Lucy Easthope | Special Episode
Friday, November 6, 2026 • Duration 33:11
With frightening headlines, global uncertainty and growing conversations about disaster prepping, more of us are wondering whether we should be stocking up on emergency supplies, putting together survival kits or preparing for the worst. But when does sensible preparation become a source of anxiety? And how do we make sure that prepping for a potential disaster doesn't leave us living in constant fear?
In this special bonus episode of Therapy Works, Julia Samuel is joined by Professor Lucy Easthope, one of the UK's leading experts in disaster preparedness and recovery, who has spent more than 20 years advising governments and supporting communities through crises. Drawing on her experience responding to disasters, and her books When the Dust Settles and Come What May, Lucy explores the psychology of prepping, why uncertainty can feel so overwhelming and how we can prepare for emergencies without allowing fear to take over.
Together, Julia and Lucy discuss everything from prepping emergency survival kits and priming for power cuts to the psychological impact of living through the pandemic and why we often avoid thinking about worst-case scenarios. They explore the difference between practical preparedness and doomsday thinking, how constant exposure to frightening headlines and doomscrolling can fuel anxiety, and why having a simple emergency plan can actually help us feel more in control.
They also reflect on the importance of community and looking out for one another during a crisis, the sudden death of Lucy's father and what it taught her about living in the present, and why true resilience isn't about preparing for every possible disaster, but knowing when to put the survival kit away, stop worrying about what might happen and find joy in everyday life.
Books mentioned:
When the Dust Settles by Professor Lucy Easthope
Come What May by Professor Lucy Easthope
Chapters:
00:00 – Introducing Professor Lucy Easthope
Gyles Brandreth: Why I can't stop talking and the secret to happiness
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 • Duration 01:02:13
Can we ever stop trying to earn our parents' approval? Gyles Brandreth joins psychotherapist Julia Samuel to discuss grief, being “too much” and happiness.
Broadcaster, author, former MP and much-loved television personality, Gyles Brandreth, joins Juliafor a revealing conversation about childhood, grief, the need for approval and what it really takes to live a happy life.
Known for his extraordinary energy, colourful jumpers and endless stories, Gyles Brandreth has spent a lifetime entertaining people. But beneath his public persona, he reveals something he has only come to understand in recent years: how much of his life has been shaped by his desire to fulfil his father's ambitions. From his time at the University of Oxford to his political career, Gyles reflects on the childhood expectations that continued to influence his decisions long into adulthood.
Gyles Brandreth also opens up about the deaths of his parents, the impact of his sister's mental illness and his realisation that his mother may have experienced depression. He discusses the painful experience of losing his parliamentary seat in 1997, the failures he rarely speaks about and how a friendship with psychiatrist Dr Anthony Clare helped him develop his Seven Secrets of Happiness.
In a particularly revealing exchange, Julia challenges Gyles to consider why he feels the need to fill every silence, whether his constant talking might be connected to a deeper need for love and approval, and what happens when he allows himself to stop performing. Gyles reflects on his desire for applause, his fear of being too much for other people and the surprising difficulty of simply being himself.
Together, Gyles Brandreth and Julia Samuel explore how childhood experiences shape our adult identities, the relationship between achievement and self-worth, and why happiness may have more to do with connection, curiosity and learning to listen than we realise.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction to Gyles Brandreth
03:11 – The impact of political rejection, grief and finding happiness
My daughter nearly died. How do I cope with the anger and guilt? | Agony Aunties
Friday, October 30, 2026 • Duration 12:50
This week’s listener is struggling with overwhelming guilt, anger and fear after her 27-year-old daughter survived a devastating fall from a balcony. Psychotherapist Julia Samuel and her daughters Sophie and Emily explore the emotional toll of parenting an adult child with longstanding mental health difficulties, how to manage conflicting feelings during a family crisis and why loving your child doesn't mean you can control what happens to them.
After years of supporting her daughter through mental health challenges, including self-harm, eating disorders and substance misuse, the listener’s daughter is now facing the uncertainty of a long rehabilitation. Although deeply grateful that her daughter survived, she also feels exhausted and angry about what has happened, and guilty for having those feelings.
Alongside her daughters Sophie and Emily, Julia explores why gratitude and anger can coexist, how parents can separate their sense of worth from their children's struggles, and why self-compassion is essential when a family is living through trauma.
The Agony Aunties also discuss practical ways to manage anxiety about an uncertain future, the importance of seeking support, like talking therapy, outside the family and how to protect the wellbeing of siblings whose needs can become overlooked during a crisis.
Support and further reading:
If you are supporting a loved one through a mental health crisis, or if this conversation has brought up difficult feelings, the following organisations and resources may be helpful:
Mind – Information and support for people experiencing mental health difficulties, including guidance for family members and carers.
Rethink Mental Illness – Advice and support for people affected by severe mental illness, including families and carers.
Carers UK – Practical advice and emotional support for people caring for a family member, including guidance on protecting their own wellbeing.
Jess Mills on processing the grief of her mother Tessa Jowell
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 • Duration 59:42
How do you process grief and find your way forward after the death of the person who made you feel most at home in the world?
Musician, author, and CEO of the Tessa Jowell Foundation, Jess Mills, joins psychotherapist Julia Samuel to discuss the loss of her mother, former Labour MP and cabinet minister Dame Tessa Jowell. Together, they explore how profound grief reshapes our understanding of motherhood, family, and identity.
Just ten weeks after giving birth to her first daughter, Jess learned her mother had terminal brain cancer. Already navigating anxiety following a traumatic birth, she found herself balancing the intense joy of new motherhood with caring for her dying mother. In this episode, she reflects on the overwhelming grief that followed, the complexities of family mourning, and the difficult decision to sell their family home.
Eight years on, Jess shares how her processing of grief has evolved, why writing her book We Are Each Other helped her make sense of the tragedy, and how she is learning to embrace a new chapter in life.
Join Jess and Julia as they delve into how grief transforms us, why feeling loved is essential, and how our ongoing relationships with those who have died continue to shape our emotional growth. Jess also shares the extraordinary comfort of knowing there was nothing left unsaid between her and her mother, whose final words were simply: “love forever.”
Please note: This episode contains discussions of terminal illness, traumatic childbirth, anxiety, and bereavement.
My abusive father has died. Why am I grieving? | Agony Aunties
Friday, October 23, 2026 • Duration 11:49
This week’s listener is struggling with the death of her father, who sexually abused her as a child and never acknowledged what he had done. Psychotherapist Julia Samuel and her daughters Sophie and Emily explore the lasting impact of childhood sexual abuse, the complicated grief that can follow the death of an abusive parent and how to find healing from childhood trauma.
After confronting her father thirty years ago, the listener was met with denial so cut off contact. While she believed she had moved forward, his recent death has resurfaced unresolved childhood trauma, leaving her processing grief for not receiving justice or validation.
Alongside her daughters Sophie and Emily, Julia explores why the death of an estranged parent can reignite childhood trauma, the complicated shame carried by survivors of abuse, and how to find validation when an apology will never arrive.
The Agony Aunties discuss the pathway to trauma recovery, how to navigate contradictory emotions like anger and relief, and why emotional healing does not depend on forgiveness, but can start with self-compassion.
Warning: This episode contains discussion of childhood sexual abuse and trauma.
Support and further reading:
If you have experienced childhood sexual abuse, or if this conversation has brought up difficult feelings, the following organisations and resources may be helpful:
Janina Fisher – Psychologist and trauma specialist whose work explores the lasting impact of childhood trauma, shame and dissociation, and approaches to healing.
Carolyn Spring – Articles and resources exploring childhood sexual abuse, trauma, recovery and the emotional impact of abuse in adulthood.
Ore Oduba on hiding his addiction: “I lived my entire life in fear”
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 • Duration 01:07:10
How does childhood trauma fuel adult addiction?
Broadcaster, actor and former Strictly Come Dancing champion Ore Oduba joins psychotherapist Julia Samuel to discuss his 30-year struggle with pornography addiction, childhood trauma, shame and the journey towards mental health recovery.
Growing up in a strict Nigerian household, Ore learnt that achievement and obedience were closely tied to acceptance. After being exposed to pornography at just nine years old, he developed a dependency that followed him into adulthood. What began as a secret source of comfort became a cycle of addiction, shame and self-loathing that affected his mental health, relationships and sense of identity.
Ore opens up about the breakdown of relationships, reaching a point where he questioned whether he wanted to carry on living, and how therapy helped him understand the connection between childhood experiences and addictive behaviour. He also reflects on his complicated relationship with his father, whose death in 2023 brought an unexpected sense of relief, and the realisation that so many of his decisions had been driven by fear.
In a deeply moving part of the conversation, Ore discusses losing his younger sister to suicide in 2025, the grief he continues to carry and how her death gave him the courage to speak publicly about his addiction.
Together, Ore Oduba and Julia Samuel explore the psychological roots of addiction, the lasting impact of childhood trauma, and why self-compassion is essential to breaking patterns of shame and secrecy. They also discuss the risks of childhood exposure to pornography, breaking generational cycles and what it means to rebuild a life on your own terms.
Warning: this conversation contains some discussion of suicide and suicidal thoughts.
Support resources mentioned:
NSPCC Helpline – Advice and support for anyone concerned about a child's safety. Call 0808 800 5000.
My adult sons are estranged. Should I intervene? | Agony Aunties
Friday, October 16, 2026 • Duration 12:00
This week’s listener is heartbroken by sibling estrangement. Psychotherapist Julia Samuel and her daughters Sophie and Emily explore the pain it causes, why family conflicts can be so difficult to repair and the challenges of parenting adult children when you can no longer influence their decisions.
The listener’s two adult sons, once incredibly close, have stopped speaking to each other following a family fallout. What began as unresolved tensions from their younger years escalated when their partners fell out, leaving the brothers locked in sibling estrangement for over a year. Although she still has a loving relationship with both sons, she is processing grief for the family they once were and wonders whether she should step in to help them reconcile or leave them to work things out themselves.
The Agony Aunties discuss the risks of taking sides, the necessity of creating healthy boundaries, the importance of allowing time for reconciliation, and how parents can support their children’s emotional healing without becoming caught in the middle.
They also reflect on the guilt parents can feel when their adult children fall out, why sibling estrangement doesn't always last forever and how families can hold on to hope even when reconciliation feels impossible.
Please do send in your Agony Aunties questions to: jsamuelpod@gmail.com
You can also watch episodes of Therapy Works on Julia’s YouTube page.
Subscribehere to Therapy Works on Substack for weekly insights into emotional well-being.
Subscribe to The Times and The Sunday Times to enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism.
The hidden grief of baby loss and TFMR
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 • Duration 57:50
To mark Baby Loss Awareness Week, author and former teacher Rosanna Brown joins Julia Samuel to share the story of her son William and her experience of termination for medical reasons (TFMR).
Rosanna was approaching 24 weeks pregnant when she and her husband learnt that William had a condition incompatible with life. She speaks candidly about the trauma of ending a much-wanted pregnancy, the medical procedure itself and the words from a midwife that helped her begin to reframe what had happened: “You didn't choose, you consented to medical advice.”
Rosanna and Julia explore the often hidden grief surrounding TFMR and baby loss, the difference between grief and trauma, and why Rosanna struggled to feel entitled to mourn her son. They also discuss how couples can grieve differently, the role talking therapy played in her recovery and how she and her husband found ways to remember William together.
Rosanna also reflects on pregnancy after loss, becoming a mother again and why another baby can bring enormous joy without replacing the child who died.
Now an advocate for greater awareness of TFMR, Rosanna shares why she wants other parents facing termination for medical reasons to feel less alone, ashamed and silenced.
Warning: This episode contains detailed discussion of termination for medical reasons (TFMR), baby loss and pregnancy loss.
If you found this conversation helpful:
Listen to Julia's conversation with Geraint John, on losing his wife, navigating grief as a family and learning to rebuild life after loss: Listen here.
You may also enjoy Agony Aunties: How Do You Handle the "Death Admin" While You're Still Grieving?, exploring the emotional and practical challenges of bereavement, and why we need to give ourselves time and support after losing someone we love: Listen here.
My family doesn’t believe my ADHD diagnosis. What Do I Do? | Agony Aunties
Friday, October 9, 2026 • Duration 11:05
This week’s listener has recently been diagnosed with ADHD after a lifetime of struggling with strong emotions and impulsivity. While the diagnosis has brought her and her husband a huge sense of relief, understanding and emotional healing, her mother and sisters refuse to accept it, believing her successful career and relationship mean she couldn’t possibly have ADHD.
Julia, Sophie and Emily explore what happens when a new diagnosis challenges long-held family roles, why we can so quickly revert to childhood dynamics and how reparenting supports personal growth. They discuss setting boundaries when family members see things differently, learning to tolerate different versions of the same family story, navigating family expectations, and protecting your mental health when old childhood wounds are reopened.
Please do send in your Agony Aunties questions to: jsamuelpod@gmail.com
You can also watch episodes of Therapy Works on Julia’s YouTube page.
Subscribehere to Therapy Works on Substack for weekly insights into emotional well-being.
Subscribehere to The Times and The Sunday Times to enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism.
Hosts: Julia Samuel, Emily Samuel, Sophie Samuel
Producer: Georgie Rutherford
Executive Producer: Emily Leahy
Darren Michael
02:20 – Why preparing for disasters can increase anxiety
04:35 – Is the world really becoming more dangerous?
06:15 – Why we avoid thinking about the worst
09:57 – The psychological impact of the pandemic
13:40 – How to prepare without living in fear
16:06 – Practical ways to manage anxiety and doomscrolling
21:51 – What the death of Lucy's father taught her about life
23:28 – Why community and connection build resilience
31:09 – Lucy's top tips for feeling prepared and staying calm
Join Julia, Emily and Sophie for a special live Therapy Works event in London on 7th December, exploring how to navigate the challenges of Christmas. Book your tickets here.
Looking for therapy? Julia runs the Samuel Therapy Practice alongside her daughters, Emily and Sophie. If you're looking for support or help finding the right therapist, visit www.samueltherapypractice.com.
Please do send in your Agony Aunties questions to: jsamuelpod@gmail.com
10:32 – Living out his father's dreams and expectations
13:47 – Why Gyles feels the need to keep talking
17:07 – Are we lovable without achievement or approval?
23:51 – Dealing with failure, disappointment and regret
28:13 – Grieving his parents and learning to accept setbacks
31:44 – Why silence can feel uncomfortable
34:13 – Growing up around mental illness and understanding therapy
37:09 – The childhood experiences behind his optimism
39:50 – The seven secrets of happiness
43:09 – Being yourself versus being present with others
46:18 – Gyles asks Julia for another therapy session
47:35 – Mother/Daughter Reflection: Can we change our personalities?
53:22 – How parental expectations shape our adult lives
01:00:27 – The difference between optimism and forced positivity
Join Julia, Emily and Sophie for a special live Therapy Works event in London on 7th December, exploring how to navigate the challenges of Christmas. Book your tickets here.
Looking for therapy? Julia runs the Samuel Therapy Practice alongside her daughters, Emily and Sophie. If you're looking for support or help finding the right therapist, visitwww.samueltherapypractice.com.
00:00 Introduction: Jess Mills on grief, motherhood and love
01:03 Writing We Are Each Other
03:15 Finding permission to move forward after grief
06:31 Becoming a mother while her own mother was dying
10:39 How grief and joy can coexist
12:42 Why love builds resilience
17:26 Why grief isn't linear
19:01 Learning to live alongside grief
21:20 How families grieve differently
43:22 Mother & Daughter Reflection: Julia, Sophie and Emily
48:04 Finding meaning and purpose after grief
51:43 When birth and death happen together
55:43 How love and trauma pass through generations
If you found this conversation helpful:
You may also enjoy Julia's conversation with Rosanna Brown, exploring profound grief, the impact of bereavement on family life and finding a way forward after tragedy.
Listen to Julia's conversation withCharles Spencer, exploring childhood trauma, shame and the lasting impact of abuse on relationships and self-worth.
You may also enjoyAgony Aunties: Why Do I Keep Sabotaging Myself?, on how childhood experiences shape our adult behaviour, why we develop destructive coping mechanisms and the importance of self-compassion in breaking old patterns.
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