Conversations between Piia and John 

Professor John Read

Piia Tuominen

I invited Professor John Read (University of East London) to be a guest on my podcast because I think he is doing very important research, bringing forward, for example, patient voices and their experiences with ECT.

After recording an episode in October 2025, we decided to create a series of interviews in which we'll focus on one important topic at a time. 

Originally, we talked about recording a new episode once a month. For now, we’re planning to space them about two months apart.

In this episode, we talk about the problems of mainstream psychiatry and the medical model of mental health. We also discuss why we need a paradigm shift in mental health care. . 

In this episode, I'm talking with professor John Read (University of East London) about the evidence base and the consequences of ECT.

References:

READ, J., BENTALL, R. (2010). The effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy: A literature review. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 19, 333-347. doi: 10.1017/s1121189x00000671

 
READ, J., KIRSCH, I., McGRATH, L. (2019). Electroconvulsive Therapy for depression: A Review of the quality of ECT vs sham ECT trials and meta-analyses. Ethical Human Psychiatry and Psychology, 21, 64-103. doi:10.1192/bja.2021.25
 
2025 SURVEY:

 
READ, J., HARROP, C., MORRISON, L., HANCOCK, S.P., JOHNSTONE, L., CUNLIFFE, S. (2025). A large exploratory survey of ECT recipients, family members and friends: What information do they recall being given? Journal of Medical Ethics. doi:10.1136/jme-2024-110629

 
READ, J., JOHNSTONE, L., HANCOCK, S.P., HARROP, C., MORRISON, L., CUNLIFFE, S. (2025). A survey of 1144 ECT recipients, family members and friends: Does ECT work? International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.70109

 
READ, J., HANCOCK, S.P., MORRISON, L., JOHNSTONE, L., HARROP, C., CUNLIFFE, S. (2025). A survey of 1144 ECT recipients, family members and friends: Incidence, severity and duration of memory deficits. Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry. doi.org/10.1891/EHPP-2025-0009.

MORRISON, L., CUNLIFFE, S., HANCOCK, S.P., HARROP, C., JOHNSTONE, L., READ, J. (2025). Electroconvulsive therapy and women: an international survey. Health Care for Women International. doi:10.1080/07399332.2025.2568222

 
READ, J., CUNLIFFE, S., HANCOCK, S.P., HARROP, C., JOHNSTONE, L., MORRISON, L. (2025). The adverse effects of electroconvulsive therapy beyond memory loss: An international survey of recipients and relatives. International Journal of Mental Health. doi:10.1080/00207411.2025.2576946

 
READ, J., CUNLIFFE, S., HANCOCK, S.P., HARROP, C., JOHNSTONE, L., MORRISON, L. (2025). A survey of ECT recipients, family members and friends: Are the self-reported reasons for their problems being addressed? International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, in press.

In this episode, I'm talking with professor John Read (University of East London) about psychiatric diagnoses.

Book recommendations:

A Straight Talking Introduction to Psychiatric Diagnosis - Lucy Johnstone

A Straigh Talking Introduction to the Power Threat Meaning Framework - An Alternative to Psychiatric Diagnosis - Mary Boyle & Lucy Johnstone

Drop the Disorder - Edited by Jo Watson

A Disorder For Everyone YouTube Channel

In this episode, I'm talking with professor John Read (University of East London) about antidepressants.

The serotonin theory of depression: a systematic umbrella review of the evidence

Part one: how to take the news that depression has not been shown to be caused by a chemical imbalance – by Professor Joanna Moncrieff

Part two: response to criticism of our chemical imbalance paper

International Institute for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal

In this episode, I'm talking with professor John Read (University of East London) about antipsychotics.

In this episode, we talk about psychosis.

ISPS (the International Society for Psychological and Social Approaches to Psychosis)

Models of Madness: Psychological, Social and Biological Approaches to Psychosis (The International Society for Psychological and Social Approaches to Psychosis Book Series) - Edited by John Read and Jacqui Dillon

In our 7th episode, we talk about alternatives to the medical model.

This is our final episode in this series, but we will probably do a one-off episode in about a year. 

Please share this series with your friends!

Dr John Read is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of East London. He is also the Chair of the International Institute for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal.

Piia Tuominen is a former psychiatric patient, solution-focused brief therapist, multipassionate person who likes to use blogging, illustrations and her podcast to challenge the views of mainstream psychiatry.

If you have questions, feedback or something else you would like to share with me, you can contact me via email: piia@piiatuominen.com

Copyright © Tmi Tuominen Piia Riitta. All Rights Reserved.