Know Your Own Psychology

About Know Your Own Psychology

Join Dr Laura Williams, Clinical Psychologist, on a journey to know you own psychology better, influence all the areas of your life and achieve more meaning, freedom and purpose. Doctor Williams has over over 17 years experience working within applied psychology. After losing her husband suddenly in 2018, she embarked on a new way of living and working. Today she is a private therapist, digital course creator, mum to 5 and a bestselling author. Doctor Williams has previously worked in specialist services in the NHS and in various Scottish prisons. Recently she contributed to both ITV and Channel 4 documentaries on the subject of morbid obesity. Doctor Williams specialises in trauma. If you want to raise your self-awareness and understand your own psychological story, then this is the podcast for you. Find out more at www.drlaurawilliams.com.

Publisher

Dr Laura Williams

Category

education · education · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Sept 2022

Latest episode

8 Apr 2026

Latest episodes

51 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Apr 2026

   Episode 50: The Parent Trap: Five Ways We Get Stuck

   The Parent Trap: Five Ways We Get Stuck Know Your Own Psychology Podcast | Dr Laura Williams Parenting is one of the hardest — and most meaningful — roles we’ll ever take on. And yet, there’s no manual. In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr Laura Williams explores five common parenting traps that many of us fall into, often without even realising it, and how we can gently step out of them. Whether you’re parenting toddlers, teenagers, or somewhere in between, this episode offers compassion, insight, and practical psychological guidance to help you navigate the challenges of raising children. Because parenting isn’t about getting it right all the time. It's about staying thoughtful, curious, and connected. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why we sometimes expect too much maturity from our children • How self-blame can keep us stuck as parents • The hidden dangers of comparing your parenting to others • Finding the balance between over-controlling and under-controlling • Why trying to be your child’s best friend can create challenges The Five Parent Traps Discussed: 1. Expecting too much maturity 2. Blaming ourselves 3. Comparing our parenting 4. Over-controlling or under-controlling 5. Trying to be your child’s best friend This episode is for you if: • You’re finding parenting harder than you expected • You’re navigating toddlers, teenagers, or blended families • You sometimes worry you’re getting parenting “wrong” • You want a more compassionate, psychologically informed approach to parenting Parenting is relational, evolving, and deeply human. And if you’re worrying about whether you’re getting it right you’re already a thoughtful parent. About Dr Laura Williams Dr Laura Williams is a clinical psychologist, speaker, and bestselling author of What to Do When You Feel Broken. Through her podcast, she shares compassionate psychological insights to help you better understand yourself, your relationships, and your emotional world. Connect with Dr Laura Instagram: @drlaurawilliams Website: www.drlaurawilliams.com Email: hello@drlaurawilliams.com If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and share with someone who might find it helpful.

2. 

   18 Mar 2026

   Episode 49. Can AI Replace Therapy? A Psychologists Perspective

   Can AI Replace Therapy? A Psychologist's Perspective Know Your Own Psychology Podcast – Episode 49 Can AI replace therapy? It’s a question more people are asking as tools like ChatGPT become part of everyday life. Some are even turning to AI for emotional support, guidance, and self-reflection. But is that safe—or effective? In this episode, clinical psychologist and bestselling author Dr Laura explores the reality behind AI and mental health. She shares a balanced, honest perspective on where AI can be helpful—and where it can be deeply limited. If you’ve ever wondered whether AI could replace therapy, or how to use it safely to support your mental wellbeing, this episode will give you clarity, reassurance, and practical guidance. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: • Why AI cannot replace therapy—and the risks of relying on it for emotional support • The importance of the human therapeutic relationship in healing and change • The limitations of AI in clinical judgement, empathy, and crisis management • How AI may reinforce negative thinking patterns (especially in depression) • Real insights from people using AI for reflection and self-understanding • Safe, practical ways to use AI as a psychological support tool How AI Can Support Your Mental Health: When used thoughtfully, AI can be a helpful companion for: • Untangling overwhelming thoughts • Guided journaling and reflection • Learning psychological concepts (like attachment, boundaries, and cognitive distortions) • Generating reflective questions to deepen self-awareness • Between-session support alongside therapy Important Reminder AI is not therapy. It cannot replace the depth, nuance, and relational healing that comes from working with a trained professional. If you are struggling with your mental health—especially in crisis—please seek support from a GP, therapist, or someone you trust. Free Resource: Psychologist’s Guide to Using AI Safely If you’d like practical, therapist-informed guidance on using AI in a way that supports (not harms) your mental health, download your free guide: 👉 www. drlaurawilliams.com/ai

3. 

   12 Mar 2026

   Episode 48: Are You For Real? The Power of Authenticity

   Why does being authentic sometimes feel so uncomfortable? In this episode, I’m exploring what it really means to be genuine with ourselves and with other people. Many of us move through the world performing versions of ourselves that feel safer, more acceptable, or less likely to be judged. But over time, that disconnection from who we really are can leave us feeling exhausted, anxious, or strangely dissatisfied. Authenticity isn’t about saying whatever we want or rejecting social norms. It’s about developing enough self-awareness to notice when we’re drifting away from our values, our feelings, and our true voice. In this episode I talk about: • Why we sometimes hide parts of ourselves • The psychological cost of people-pleasing and performing • How self-awareness helps us reconnect with who we really are • Why authenticity often feels risky at first • A simple reflective exercise to help you reconnect with your genuine self As a clinical psychologist, I see every day how powerful it can be when people begin to show up more honestly in their own lives. When we stop performing and start relating more truthfully—to ourselves and others—we create the conditions for deeper connection, greater clarity, and a more grounded sense of self. At the end of the episode, I share a short exercise you can try today to gently explore where you might be editing yourself—and how you might begin to show up more authentically. If this episode resonates with you, you might also enjoy my book What to Do When You Feel Broken, where I explore many of these themes around self-awareness, healing, and rebuilding after difficult experiences. You can purchase it on Amazon and it has recently been translated into Polish. I’m holding you in mind as you listen. Dr Laura

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

26 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 52 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

70

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

85

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.