Using Cooking as Therapy to Improve Mental Health

The concept of experiential therapy isn’t new: there’s art therapy, equine therapy, play therapy. But one form you might not be familiar with is cooking therapy. Research tells us that cooking and baking are favorite hobbies of Americans—above reading, time spent with pets, video games, or outdoor activities. So how can we make our love of the kitchen also therapeutic?  Meet Debra Borden! She’s a licensed clinical social worker and author of the new book, Cooking as Therapy: How to Improve Mental Health Through Cooking. In today's episode, she shares the science behind cooking as therapy, how to turn any recipe into therapy, or even any non-recipe into a therapeutic experience.

Order Cooking as Therapy here: https://cookingastherapybooks.com/

Meet the Author and Our Guest -- Debra Borden, LCSW

Debra is a licensed clinical social worker and a pioneer in using cooking as a part of therapy. Known as the Sous Therapist, Debra has spent over two decades helping people discover how everyday kitchen tasks become powerful tools for healing. Her unique approach to therapy has been featured in The New York Times, Bon Appétit, Women's Health, and on The List TV, among others. Corporate clients like Bloomingdale's, Crayola, and Mt. Sinai have brought Debra in to demonstrate how cooking therapy can reduce stress and spark meaningful change.

Follow Debra on Social Media

IG and Facebook: @debraborden 

TikTok: @cookyourselfhappy

Thank you for listening to The Happy Eating Podcast. Tune in weekly on Thursdays for new episodes! For even more Happy Eating, head to our website! 

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Learn More About Our Hosts: 

Carolyn Williams PhD, RD:

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Website: https://www.carolynwilliamsrd.com

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Brierley Horton, MS, RD

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brierleyhorton/

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Produced by Lester Nuby OE Productions