Phoebe WilsonAlex Cooper's Call Her Daddy podcast is trending across the UK in April 2026, nominated for podcast of the year at the iHeartPodcast Awards and commanding an average of 10 million listeners per episode. Behind the celebrity headlines is a more important conversation: the show's growing focus on mental health, therapy, and when to ask for professional help.
Why Alex Cooper Is Sparking a UK Therapy Conversation
Since moving to Spotify, Call Her Daddy has shifted significantly. What began as a sex and dating podcast has evolved into a platform covering mental health, burnout, and emotional wellbeing — with clinical psychologists, therapists, and psychiatrists as regular guests. Cooper has spoken openly about her own therapy journey, normalising a conversation that millions of listeners across the UK are having for the first time.
For many younger British listeners, it is the first time they have heard someone with a large platform say, plainly: "I go to therapy, and it helps."
That message lands at a particularly important moment. According to the UK government's Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Profile: April 2026 Update, mental health conditions remain among the leading causes of disability and absence in England. One in six adults in England currently receives mental health treatment, yet many more — particularly those in their 20s and 30s — do not seek help until symptoms become severe.
The NHS Reality: Long Waits, Limited Access
The podcast's popularity comes at a time when NHS mental health services are under unprecedented pressure. England's mental health services received a record 5.2 million referrals in 2024, up nearly 38 per cent from 2019. The average waiting time from referral to treatment for community mental health services is currently 47 days — and one in ten patients waits more than 238 days.
For NHS Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT), the government target is that 75 per cent of patients should receive a first appointment within six weeks. As of early 2026, that target is not being consistently met across all regions.
This gap between demand and NHS capacity has driven rapid growth in private counselling and therapy in the UK. The private mental health market is currently valued at £15.6 billion annually, with more than a third of British adults having sought help from a counsellor or therapist at some point in their lives.
When Is It Time to See a Mental Health Expert?
Listening to a podcast — even a thoughtful one with qualified guests — is not the same as professional support. A mental health expert, such as a counsellor, psychotherapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist, provides something no podcast can: a personalised, confidential, ongoing therapeutic relationship built around your specific needs.
So when should you consider making that step?
Signs that professional support may be beneficial include:
- Persistent low mood or anxiety lasting more than two weeks that does not improve
- Difficulty functioning at work, in relationships, or in daily tasks
- Sleep problems, changes in appetite, or physical symptoms with no clear medical cause
- Increased use of alcohol, substances, or other avoidance behaviours
- Intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, or episodes of dissociation
- Feeling like your current coping strategies are no longer working
None of these are signs of weakness. They are signals that your mental load exceeds your current resources — and that professional support could genuinely help.
What Kind of Expert Do You Need?
The mental health field can be confusing to navigate, especially when starting from scratch. Here is a practical breakdown:
Counsellor or psychotherapist: Typically the first port of call for anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, or life transitions. Sessions are usually weekly and focus on talking through experiences, patterns, and emotions. Look for practitioners registered with the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) or UKCP.
Clinical or counselling psychologist: Appropriate for more complex or long-standing difficulties. Psychologists are trained to deliver evidence-based treatments such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), EMDR, or schema therapy.
Psychiatrist: A medical doctor specialising in mental health. Relevant when medication may be appropriate alongside therapy, or when a diagnosis requires expert assessment (such as ADHD, bipolar disorder, or personality disorders).
General practitioner (GP): Your first step within the NHS. A GP can refer you to NHS Talking Therapies, mental health teams, or support private referrals.
The 73 Per Cent Who Found Therapy Helpful
Data from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy shows that 73 per cent of UK adults who have had therapy found it helpful, and 75 per cent would recommend it to anyone seeking mental health support. Among younger adults aged 16 to 25, a quarter have already sought professional help.
Yet stigma remains a barrier — particularly among men, older adults, and certain communities where discussing mental health is still seen as a sign of vulnerability rather than strength.
What Alex Cooper's platform does well is model something simple: being in therapy is not a crisis response. It is a tool for understanding yourself and building resilience. That framing — therapy as maintenance, not emergency — is precisely what mental health professionals in the UK have been trying to communicate for years.
Finding a Mental Health Expert in the UK
If you are ready to take the next step, there are several routes:
- NHS route: Refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies online at nhs.uk/mental-health — no GP referral needed for mild-to-moderate conditions
- GP referral: For more complex needs, a GP can refer you to a community mental health team
- Private route: Finding a qualified, regulated therapist through platforms that connect you with vetted mental health professionals means you can often start within days rather than months
An expert consultation can help you understand which type of support is right for your situation — and how to access it without navigating the system alone.
Podcasts can start the conversation. A qualified professional can continue it.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information on mental health and access to professional services in the UK. It is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice. If you are in crisis, contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (available 24/7, free).
For more on recognising when professional support is needed, read our article on Claire Foy on anxiety: when creative burnout becomes a health issue.
