Freudian Scripts

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From psychopathic serial killers to CIA operatives with bipolar disorder, depictions of mental health are pretty much everywhere in entertainment. But what’s exaggerated for the screen? And what can these portrayals tell us about actual psychological diagnoses and modern, evidence-based treatments? Hosted by two practicing clinical psychology PhDs, Freudian Scripts explores the real world of psychology today, destigmatizing mental health, through the lens of your favorite TV shows and movies.

Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran


    • Oct 31, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 53m AVG DURATION
    • 49 EPISODES

    5 from 27 ratings Listeners of Freudian Scripts that love the show mention: psychology, fun and informative, therapy, movies, like, love, great, fran and dr, sam make.



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    Latest episodes from Freudian Scripts

    In Mini-Session with “Evil”

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2022 34:24


    Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran present a spooky Reel Rounds mini-session on psychology and exorcisms through the lense of the show Evil.

    Booster Session with “The Flight Attendant”

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2022 40:20


    Join Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran for a Booster Mini-session with The Flight Attendant back on the couch!

    In Mini-Session with “Top Gun” and “Top Gun: Maverick”

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2022 38:37


    This week Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran present a Reel Rounds mini-session focused on the Top Gun movies. We introduce Personality Psychology and discuss personality traits that may be common among fighter pilots.

    In Session with “The Flight Attendant”

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2022 59:27


    Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran discuss a flight attendant's experience with trauma, substance use, and catching a murderer.

    In Session with “Dear Evan Hansen”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2022 63:16


    Join Dr. Sam & Dr. Fran as they discuss a tale of teenage mental health, re-invention that goes too far, and meaningful lyrics.

    Celebrating Two Years!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2022 44:32


    Join Drs. Sam and Fran as they review the second year of the podcast!

    In Session with “Turning Red”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2022 63:37


    Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran analyze a cute and cuddly coming of age story. Join as we discuss teen development, relationships, and emotions.

    Booster Session with “Sex Education”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2022 31:38


    Join Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran for a Booster Mini-Session this week as they provide a booster treatment session/put Sex Education back on the couch!

    In Mini-Session with Gossip

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2022 35:59


    This week Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran present a Reel Rounds mini-session focused on gossip. We define and discuss gossip, including a brief history and the various uses of gossip as a communication style.

    Second Opinion with “Fleabag” and “The Office”

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2022 31:17


    Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran bring back surprise clips from listeners for a new Second Opinion. We listen to therapy-related clips and react in real time with this mini-session featuring scenes from the TV shows, The Office and Fleabag.

    In Session with “Ted Lasso”

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2022 78:28


    Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran analyze a beloved, streaming comedy. Join as we review sports psychology and therapy with everyone's favorite fictional coach.

    In Session with “The Five-Year Engagement”

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2022 61:43


    In the spirit of Valentine's Day, Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran analyze a psychology focused romantic comedy. Join as we review social psychology and things that couples may face when juggling career decisions and a relationship.

    Second Opinion on “Portlandia” and “What About Bob?”

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2022 25:52


    This week Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran are surprised with clips from listeners for a new Second Opinion. We listen to new, therapy-related clips and react in real time with this mini-session featuring scenes from Portlandia and What About Bob?

    In Session with “Elf”

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2021 62:22


    Join Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran to discuss a holiday favorite this session. They dive into a range of topics including adoption, delusions, and positive psychology. Don't be a "Cotton-Headed Ninny Muggin," listen to this holiday session! 

    In Mini-Session with Hallmark Holiday Movies

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2021 40:29


    This week Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran present a Reel Rounds mini-session focused on why people love Hallmark holiday movies. We discuss why these movies are so predictable yet so enjoyable. Is it all about the Christmas spirit?

    Second Opinion on Holiday Family Drama

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2021 28:17


    This week Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran introduce a new holiday-themed Second Opinion. We surprise each other with clips related to holiday family conflict, while reacting and sharing our thoughts on the spot. This Second Opinion features scenes from Instant Family and Four Christmases.

    In Session with “50/50”

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2021 71:11


    We promise it's completely normal to feel excitement about the release of a new session. This week, Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran discuss health psychology and critique the therapy portrayal of a psychologist-in-training.

    In Session with “The Sixth Sense”

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2021 73:45


    Dr. Sam & Dr. Fran are ready to tell you their secret. Join them as they break down one of the spookiest & most twisted tales in cinematic history.

    Mini-Session: The Psychology of Horror

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2021 32:19


    This week Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran present a Reel Rounds mini-session focused on the psychology behind scary movies. We discuss what horror films are as well as why we like them and who may find them the most enjoyable.

    In Mini-Session with Fake Therapists

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2021 32:36


    This week Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran present a Reel Rounds mini-session focused on the portrayal of fake therapists in movies. We share and critique clips of fake therapy in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Central Intelligence.

    In Session with “In Treatment: Eladio” (S4E1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2021 79:13


    Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran are back this week with a full session covering a detailed therapy portrayal on a popular HBO show.

    Second Opinion on SNL and Always Sunny

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2021 31:17


    This week Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran introduce a new mini-session—Second Opinion. We surprise each other with therapy clips while reacting and sharing our thoughts on the spot. This week's Second Opinion features an SNL sketch and scenes from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

    In Mini-Session for Pride Month

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2021 28:58


    This week Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran introduce a new mini-session—Reel Rounds. In a special Pride Rounds, we share clips and discuss topics related to the portrayal of transgender women of color in the media.

    In Session with “The Woman in the Window”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2021 79:43


    Join Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran as we pull back the curtain to investigate agoraphobia in Netflix's latest psychological thriller.

    Celebrating One Year!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2021 47:55


    Join Dr. Sam, Dr. Fran and Producer Brandon to celebrate Freudian Scripts' first birthday!

    In Session with “Atypical”

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2021 79:14


    A special guest joins Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran to talk about autism in teens, including dating, therapy and, of course, penguins.

    In Session with “Rain Man”

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2021 72:27


    Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran hope to spread awareness, information and acceptance during Autism Awareness Month. Their first stop? One of the most commonly referenced portrayals of autism in American cinema, the 1988 Academy Award-winning film, Rain Man. We use Diagnosis Bingo to break down the criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder and determine whether that diagnosis applies to Dustin Hoffman's character, Raymond. What aspects of Raymond's character seem to accurately portray autism and which have been exaggerated? For example, do people with autism always have special abilities? We wouldn't bet on it. The doctors explore the misconceptions around autism and savant syndrome. Listen to this week's episode and stay in our good graces. Unless you want to get stuck with the rose bushes just like Charlie... THE ROSE BUSHES?!

    In Session with “Sharp Objects”

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2021 66:54


    Travel with Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran to Wind Gap with Camille Preaker as they investigate HBO's Sharp Objects. Who is murdering children in Wind Gap? What is going on with Camille, Amma, and Adora? The doctors solve those questions quicker than Detective Richard and the police chief solve the town's crimes. Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran review complex topics seen in the show including Camille's history of abuse, alcohol use, and non-suicidal self-injury. Would we expect someone to engage in self-harm the unique way Camille does? Given Camille's difficult history and current challenges, what could treatment for her ideally look like? Learn more about an uncommon disorder which is commonly portrayed in entertainment. Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran dive into Adora poisoning her children and review a new diagnosis—factitious disorder imposed on another (previously called Munchausen syndrome by proxy). That also brings us to a new Diagnosis Graveyard.  We will tell mama if you don't listen to this week's session! Content Warning: episode discusses suicide, non-suicidal self-injury/self-harm, and child abuse

    In Session with “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2021 62:46


    You can be infinite with Dr. Sam & Dr. Fran this week as they discuss adolescent mental health.

    In Session with “To the Bone”

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2021 75:59


    This week, Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran tackle a critical issue that will impact 29 million Americans during their lifetime — eating disorders.

    In Session with “The Queen’s Gambit”

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2021 62:31


    Checkmate! Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran are back to discuss chess, drugs and... more chess.

    In Session with “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2020


    It's the..the..THE GRINCH! Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran travel to Whoville to discuss a favorite, holiday character. And maybe Freudian Scripts perhaps... teaches you a little bit more. Happy Holidays!

    In Session with “Mean Girls”

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2020 70:58


    You can't sit with us! Well, you can if you listen to this week's session. Join us as Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran dissect one of your favorite, quotable comedies.

    In Session with “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2020 75:44


    Would anyone like to share with the group their level of excitement for this session? Join Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran as they discuss a classic on its 45th anniversary.

    In Session with “Ratched”

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2020 63:58


    You are not sorry, but you will be if you miss this episode! Join Dr. Sam & Dr. Fran as they discuss Netflix's most viewed debut season of 2020.

    In Session with “Shutter Island” with Dr. Weber

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2020 77:42


    Surrender your weapons and welcome to Ashecliffe Hospital. Join Drs. Sam and Fran along with a special guest as they try to solve a crime and survive the island. Good luck with your investigation but steer clear of the lighthouse.

    In Session with “The Silence of the Lambs” with Dr. Adam

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2020 87:32


    Have the lambs stopped screaming? If not, listen to this week's session as Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran, with the assistance of a new expert, analyze one of the most notorious film villains. 

    Mini-Session 2: Q&A with Dr. De Los Reyes

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2020 30:17


    Join Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran as they welcome Dr. Andres De Los Reyes back for a Mini-Session! Dr. De Los Reyes returns to answer listener questions about graduate school, research, and a career in academia.

    In Session with Iron Man and Spider-Man with Dr. De Los Reyes

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2020 58:46


    This week's session may not save the world but can teach you a couple of things about the heroes who do. Plus, Drs. Sam and Fran welcome Freudian Scripts' first guest!

    In Session with “Silver Linings Playbook”

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2020 76:00


    Listen to this week's session and you will have a shot at a silver lining!

    In Session with “Fight Club”

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2020 76:25


    The first rule of Freudian Scripts is... listen to this week's session. Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran analyze the famous psychological thriller that had everyone wondering, "Who is Tyler Durden?"  

    In Session with “Never Have I Ever”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2020 51:50


    You'll feel grata as hell after learning about new diagnoses and therapy with teens this week. Listen to learn some new things and to catch up on all the teenage drama from one of Netflix's recent hit series. Peace out, Freudian Scripters.

    In Session with “Couples Retreat”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2020 42:48


    I know my truth! And the truth is, you're going to enjoy learning about couple's therapy while envisioning yourself on a tropical retreat with Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran this week. 

    In Session with “Sex Education”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2020 65:45


    You may feel like a sex guru after this week’s session analyzing another Netflix hit series. But, please don't start charging for sex advice.

    In Session with “You”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2020 49:31


    Stalk much? This week Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran analyze the streaming sensation that had fans obsessing even more than its creepy protagonist. Don't worry. That voice in your head is not Joe's interior monologue. It's just our latest episode.

    Mini-Session 1: Q & A

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2020 11:57


    Have you found yourself wondering, what is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist? And, how do the doctors really feel about the portrayal of psychology in entertainment? Join Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran for their first Mini-Session (or mini-sesh, if you will) as they tackle these and other burning listener questions with a little help from producer, Brandon.

    In Session with “Step Brothers”

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2020 50:00


    In this session, Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran discuss a movie, which has so much room for activities! And by activities, we mean issues to be analyzed.

    In Session with “Good Will Hunting”

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2020 36:04


    Welcome to Freudian Scripts with Dr. Fran and Dr. Sam. Get to know the hosts as they analyze the themes of a beloved classic. You'll feel wicked smaht after listening!

    Introducing Freudian Scripts

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2020 2:12


    Psychology is everywhere – often showcased on our screens. But, how do we know whether what we see is accurate or dramatized for our entertainment? Introducing Freudian Scripts with Dr. Fran & Dr. Sam. Do criminal profilers actually use psychological principles to solve crimes? Do therapists really have their patients lie down on a couch and analyze their dreams? Well, the doctors are here to break it down for you, answer your questions, and provide some interesting and factual information about psychology. Listen for a sneak peek into our first couple of sessions and hear us analyze some of your favorite movies.

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