Podcast appearances and mentions of kati morton

If the holidays leave you feeling more stressed than joyful, you're not alone. In this episode, Sarah talks with Kati Morton, licensed therapist and author of Why Do I Keep Doing This? about the real reasons holiday anxiety shows up—and what you can do about it. From family dynamics to people-pleasing to the pressure of packed schedules, Kati shares practical tools to help you feel calmer and more in control this season.Kati Morton is a licensed therapist (LMFT), bestselling author, and longtime mental health educator who has spent more than a decade helping people make sense of their emotions. Her third book, Why Do I Keep Doing This? (December 9, 2025, Hachette), explores the emotional loops we know aren't helping us and what it actually takes to change them.Since launching her YouTube channel in 2011, Kati has built a global community of over 1.5 million subscribers and 156 million views. What began as a quiet effort to explain therapy online has become a trusted resource for people navigating trauma, anxiety, self-harm, and emotional overwhelm. Her calm, clear approach has made her a consistent voice in a space that changes constantly.Kati's work often reaches far beyond digital platforms. In the past year, she's been at the center of two viral cultural moments: her TODAY Show segment on “eldest daughter syndrome,” which went viral and was later covered by Vogue, and her appearance on Pod Meets World, where she guided the cast of Boy Meets World through a raw conversation about trauma on set. Kati has been featured on top-rated shows such as TODAY Show, CNN, E! News, CBS The Doctors, Dr. Phil, and The Dr. Drew Show, she has also appeared in numerous prestigious digital outlets such as the New York Times, USA Today, The Hollywood Reporter, Glamour UK, Bustle, INSIDER, HUFFPOST, and many more.Kati also hosts the long-running podcast Ask Kati Anything, featuring guests like Khalyla Kuhn, Shane Dawson, and Rosanna Pansino, and speaks regularly for companies like Google, YouTube, and Unilever on emotional resilience and trauma literacy.At her core, Kati makes big emotions feel understandable and reminds people they're not broken for feeling what they feel.For more information, go to www.KatiMorton.comFollow Kati Morton on Yo

Barbara Dunkelman is here to chat about her incredible journey from being a fan to being the voice of Rooster Teeth's Yang Xiao Long on RWBY. She opens up about the company's unexpected closure, dealing with planning a wedding, and finding relief in a major life change. This deep-dive covers the pressure of chasing trends and the truth about self-worth outside of analytics. We also explore profound personal philosophies, including the 10% vs. 90% rule of reaction , the power of the "Main Character Complex", and the anxiety around personal choices. Barbara and Kati get candid about their shared decision to be childfree, battling societal pressure, and the freedom that comes with fully committing to a life without regret. Plus, learn about her new product line and her D&D podcast, Tales from the Stinky Dragon. My new book is available for pre-order! Why Do I Keep Doing This? https://geni.us/XoyLSQ Book Tour: https://katimorton.com/wdikdt-book-tour If you've ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I'd be so grateful for your support. Shopping with our sponsors helps support the show and allows us to continue bringing you these important conversations about mental health. Please check out this week's special offers: Aura Frames - use the promo code: KATI at https://auraframes.com/ for $35 off Carver Matte frames Fabletics - 80% off everything for new VIP sign-ups at https://www.fabletics.com/Kati One Skin - use the promo code: KATI for 15% off at https://www.oneskin.co/Kati ⏱️ Timestamps 00:01:32 Moving to Austin: Joining Rooster Teeth and the stressful work visa process. 00:04:14 The early days of RT: Starting as Community Manager when the company was tiny. 00:18:54 Barbara's Anxiety: Starting Always Open and her interest in mental health. 00:23:22 The 10/90 Rule: You have control over how you react to things. 00:25:04 The Main Character Complex: Why everyone is thinking about themselves, not you. 00:28:23 Therapy Search: The challenge of finding the right fit for counseling. 00:44:49 The Scariest Standard: How being exposed to "the best of the best" online affects self-image. 00:46:35 Phone Addiction: Strategies Barbara uses to put her phone in "timeout". 00:47:44 Choosing Childfree: Why Barbara decided against having kids and the pressure to procreate. 00:50:02 Ending the Regret Cycle: Making the decision and committing to it fully. 00:53:01 The "Selfish" Argument: Why choosing your own happiness isn't truly selfish. 01:04:11 The Next Chapter: Retaining the IP for Tales from the Stinky Dragon. 01:06:02 New Venture: Developing her own hair styling cream. 01:08:29 Intentional Travel: Living out their Childfree plans with a trip to Japan More Barbara! Tales from the Stinky Dragon https://www.youtube.com/@stinkydragonpod Barbara's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bdunkelman All Good. No Worries https://www.instagram.com/allgood.noworries Don't forget to Like and Subscribe for more Ask Kati Anything episodes every week Ask Kati Anything ep. 291 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT MAIN YOUTUBE CHANNEL www.youtube.com/@Katimorton MY BOOKS Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY While I do not currently offer online therapy, our sponsor BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist. Receive 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever felt lost after putting all your effort into pleasing others? Maybe you've spent years being the responsible one, the strong one, the helper, the one who “just handles it”… until one day you wake up and feel hollow. Exhausted.  Disconnected from the person you used to be.Maybe you've spent years trying to “doing it all”,  only to wake up one day and wonder where you lost yourself along the way? In this episode, I sit down with Kati Morton, licensed therapist, author, and one of the most trusted mental health voices online. Her new book, Why Do I Keep Doing This?, dives into the emotional and nervous system patterns that keep us stuck in cycles of people-pleasing, low self-esteem, overgiving, perfectionism, and self-abandonment.Together, we explore how unresolved trauma responses shape our beliefs about love, worth, confidence, and why so many of us feel like we need to be “good” or “please others” to feel safe. Together Kati and I discuss what a fawn response is,  the deeper reasons why we fawn or people-please and the emotional cost it takes on us.You'll learn:Why people pleasing begins as a survival strategyWhy rebuilding self worth is about changing patternsWhat your inner critic is trying to protect you fromHow to spot patterns that lead to burnout and resentmentWhy confidence grows through small acts of self trustThe difference between guilt and false guilt in boundary settingHow somatic practices support healing and resiliencePractical tools to regulate stress and shift old patternsIf you're in a season of personal growth, or if you're tired of feeling exhausted, overlooked, or in cycles of self-doubt, this episode will offer compassion, clarity, and a path home to yourself.Tune in. This conversation is a breath of fresh air for anyone ready to reclaim the parts of themselves they had to hide to survive.Much love,LaurieClick here to sign up for my "FREE Online Somatic Workshop - Find Your Calm During the Holidays" on Thursday, Dec 4th at 4 PST Click here for a video on how to leave a review to receive a free somatic stabilization/grounding exercise. The podcast graphic is different from the current one. Once you complete it and send me a picture I will send you the video. My email is laurie@laurieejames.comThank you in advance. Click here to learn about my NEW “Nervous System Regulation Starter Kit” Free ResourcesClick here to schedule a FREE inquiry call with me.Click here for my FREE “Beginner's Guide to Somatic Healing”Click here for my FREE Core Values ExerciseClick here to purchase my book: Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting GoWebsitePlease leave me feedback. I cannot respond so if you'd like me to respond, please leave your email***********************DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL, MEDICAL OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED THERAPIST IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY MEDICAL ISSUE OR PROBLEM.

Have you ever longed for someone who didn't feel the same way? If you have a deep infatuation or an obsessive pull toward a person, you may be experiencing limerence. In this episode, host Gretta is joined by Kati Morton, LMFT, author, public speaker, and creator of a popular mental health YouTube channel, to unpack the emotional complexities of limerence.Discover:The difference between limerence and healthy loveLimerence and how it relates to anxious attachment, BPD, and OCDWhy manifestation won't change a limerent objectSupportive ways to move through limerenceAnd more!If limerence is something you're experiencing, this conversation will help you reclaim your time, your calm, and your peace of mind.Connect With Gretta❤️‍

In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Kati Morton tackles the core question: Why Do I Feel So Behind? when it seems Everyone Else Seems to Have It Together. We dive deep into the psychological struggles of comparison, isolation, and overcoming trauma.We also address the debilitating internal experience: Are You Experiencing Complex PTSD? and provide clarity on What to Do When Your Brain Relates Everything to Trauma. Finally, we cover motivation loss, asking: Do You Have Anhedonia? and share strategies for Finding Motivation When Everything Feels Boring.‌ Don't forget to Like and Subscribe for more Ask Kati Anything episodes every week! Shopping with our sponsors helps support the show and allows us to continue bringing you these important conversations about mental health. Please check out this week's special offers: • MasterClass always has great offers during the holidays, sometimes up to as much as 50% off. Head over to http://MASTERCLASS.com/KATI for the current offer. • Go to Remi (Custom Night Guards & Dental Solutions) http://shopremi.com/KATI and use code KATI at checkout for 55% off a new night guard plus a FREE foam gift that whitens your teeth and cleans your night guard. • Visit https://on.auraframes.com/KATI for an exclusive $45-off Carver Mat - Use promo code KATI at checkout Audience questions & timestamps: 0:00:39 (Q1) Dealing with Friendship Envy. Kati reframes friendship envy as an indicator of what you truly want in life. 0:06:59 (Q2) Recovering from Burnout. The Effort vs. Reward Strategy The key to recovery is assessing where your time and energy go, and then placing boundaries in areas where... My new book is available for pre-order: Why Do I Keep Doing This? → https://geni.us/XoyLSQIf you've ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I'd be so grateful for your support. 0:14:12 (Q3) Moving On After Divorce. Rediscovery of Self Divorce is a huge loss, and therapy is a must. The core focus should be on figuring out who you are again through journaling (like The Artist's Way) and taking solo dates. 0:23:48 (Q4) Ego Death & Transformation. Ego vs. Connection Ego is a protective defense mechanism that, when overactive, can cause resistance, sabotage progress, and impede true connection. 0:30:10 (Q5) Why Everything is a Trigger (Complex PTSD) The listener is triggered by everyday items (like Vaseline) and experiences dissociation due to past sexual abuse by their mother. Kati emphasizes the brain is trying to protect the listener. 0:40:29 (Q6) In Crisis But Don't Want to 'Bug' Therapist. It's common for crisis feelings and body memories to intensify at night due to fewer distractions. Advice includes using crisis lines (988, 741741) 0:45:34 (Q7) Loss of Motivation (Approaching 70) Anhedonia and Behavioral Activation Lacking enthusiasm (anhedonia) and motivation is a common sign of depression in older adults, often linked to loss of purpose and isolation. 0:50:29 (Q8) Finding the Right Dose The feeling of being "numbed out" or lacking motivation on an SSRI is often due to blunted affect from a dose that is too high, or the wrong medication entirely. Ask Kati Anything ep. 290 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT MY BOOKS Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leave an Amazon Rating or Review for my New York Times Bestselling book, Make Money Easy!Check out the full episode: https://greatness.lnk.to/989Drawing from her expertise and compassionate approach, Kati Morton shares practical strategies and techniques to navigate feelings of isolation and foster connection. With empathy and understanding, she explores the underlying causes of loneliness and offers tools to build meaningful relationships, both with others and with oneself.Sign up for the Greatness newsletter: http://www.greatness.com/newsletter Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this deeply honest episode of Ask Kati Anything, guest Jared Craft shares valuable insights into overcoming his ego, financial fears, and the lifelong work of surrendering control. Jared opens up about his journey through addiction and recovery - He details how growing up closeted in a conservative town fostered a deep-seated need for external validation and people-pleasing. He discusses his corporate career at Google and YouTube and the subsequent struggles with exercise addiction and substance abuse, which ultimately led to a dramatic family intervention. This is essential listening for anyone seeking to understand the true gift of recovery and how to finally let go of control for personal and professional growth. Shopping with our sponsors helps support the show and allows us to continue bringing you important conversations about mental health. Please check out this week's special offers: • Fabletics • https://www.fabletics.com/Kati 80% OFF everything for new VIP members • OneSkin • http://oneskin.co/ use the code KATI for 15% OFF • Crowd Health • http://joincrowdhealth.com/ use the code ASKKATI to get your first three months for just $99 • Remy • https://shopremi.com/kati use the code KATI for 55% OFF plus a FREE gift! TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction: Jared Craft 01:42 - Living for external validation in his 20s 02:20 - Growing up closeted in a conservative Minnesota town 03:36 - The early desire for external success and people-pleasing 04:44 - The unexpected process of coming out 07:06 - Moving to LA and the start of deeper addiction struggles 10:29 - The Lance Bass photos 11:09 - The conversation with his sister and parents about his sexuality 18:37 - The Intervention that forced him into his first rehab stint at 24 20:09 - The misconception about what recovery was 23:40 - Sobriety, relapse, and the key difference the second time around My new book is available for pre-order: Why Do I Keep Doing This? → https://geni.us/XoyLSQ If you've ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I'd be so grateful for your support. 26:46 - What is an Inventory? (Self-check for resentment, fear, and harm) 29:29 - The deep-rooted fear of financial trauma and scarcity 32:39 - The Set Aside Prayer for walking into conflict or anxiety 33:58 - Getting over prejudices about the word 'God' and finding a Higher Power 40:32 - The 'Whack-a-Mole' nature of control and addiction 41:49 - Advice for someone who is Day One Sober 42:53 - The Gifts of Recovery 44:48 - How fear of losing clients resulted in poor boundaries 48:03 - Intimate relationships as the current area for growth 51:37 - Jared's next steps: Overcoming the fear of change Ask Kati Anything ep. 289 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Jared is on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@jcraft MAIN YOUTUBE CHANNEL www.youtube.com/@Katimorton MY BOOKS Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Dark Side of Inclusivity: OG YouTuber Arielle Scarcella joins us to discuss the toxic political shift and intolerance of difference of thought in the LGBTQ+ community. Arielle opens up about being canceled 5 times and why she's labeled transphobic for applying common sense. We cover everything from voting for Trump and Gen Z's emotional regulation to how she deals with hate and intolerance. My new book, Why Do I Keep Doing This? comes out on December 9th & you can PRE-ORDER here: https://geni.us/XoyLSQ If you've ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I'd be so grateful for your support. ** Shopping with our sponsors helps support the show and allows us to continue bringing you these important conversations about mental health. Please check out this week's special offers: • 15% OFF at OneSkin http://ONESKIN.CO/KATI use code: KATI • 30% OFF at Blissy http://blissy.com/askkatipod Timestamps: 1:31 - Arielle's YouTube Start in 2009: After an abusive relationship 3:37 - Why she started: There was no LGB education online 5:25 - Opinion on trans women in sports 6:44 - First video title: "Lesbian Cougar" 9:24 - Being Canceled 5 Times 12:48 - The Left Left Me: Staying a classic liberal 14:42 - Drag shows for children are creepy and hurt the gay community 15:39 - Dating pool is horrible: Everyone is non-binary 17:34 - Wearing a Rainbow MAGA hat at Pride 18:17 - The most hateful people interviewed were white (White Guilt) 18:59 - People of color listened because they "know what it's like not being heard" 19:46 - Gen Z lacks socialization and social development skills 20:51 - We need debate classes to learn how to disagree and still get along 21:39 - The left loves diversity, except diversity of thought 23:23 - The shift was people publicly ostracizing her for disagreement 30:11 - Confronting haters: They "don't say sh!t" because they lack the social skills 31:18 - Voting for Trump as a lesbian 36:01 - Content is now a moderate/classic liberal view 36:45 - Queer activists converting to Islam 38:59 - Gen Z has lost the plot and doesn't know how to deal with emotions 40:46 - Nostalgia reminds you of "who you are before the world f*cked you up" 42:09 - Street interviews: Confronting haters who "talk sh!t" 43:22 - Today's definition of transphobia: Disagreeing with anything they say 43:57 - You don't need gender dysphoria to be trans in NYC now45:54 - Managing the hate: Knowing who you are makes you manipulation-proof 48:11 - The "Duper's Delight" Smirk (Smug, powerful, specific to woke activists)‌ 52:02 - They tried to prevent her from entering Australia in 2020‌‌‌ Ask Kati Anything ep. 287 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT MAIN YOUTUBE CHANNEL http://www.youtube.com/@Katimorton MY BOOKS Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0jAre u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is talking about your emotions actually hurting your healing? Licensed therapist Kati Morton dives deep into the non-linear reality of healing, tackling feelings of meaninglessness, navigating forced therapy, and how to recover from therapist abandonment. Discover the key difference between therapeutic processing and harmful rumination, learn what narcissistic abuse looks like, and find out how to get unstuck from survival mode and self-sabotage. Audience Questions: 0:43 - Q1: When Does Talking About Emotions Become Negative? ("...at what point does talking about your motion emotions have a negative effect?" / "...I would rather skip the talking and go straight to the homework...") 8:59 - Q2: Dealing with the Feeling of Meaninglessness ("How do I deal with the feeling of meaninglessness? I'm a successful girl by society standards... But I don't feel any excitement about anything...") ** Shopping with our sponsors helps support the show and allows us to continue bringing you these important conversations about mental health. Please check out this week's special offer: Get 15% off Branch Basics with the code KATI at https://branchbasics.com/KATI 13:49 - Q3: How to Recover from Feeling Abandoned by Your Therapist ("How do I get over feeling worthless even when not even my therapist seems to care.") 19:39 - Q4: The Effects of Toxic Narcissistic Abuse on Healing ("It feels like I'm stuck in a loop. Like I keep sabotaging myself." / "My life revolved around her. She'd get mad if I didn't go out with her...") 26:22 - Q5: Stuck in Survival Mode After Leaving an Abusive Home ("...moving away from home to college because of my abusive parents... I thought moving away would get me out of survival mode, it didn't.") 31:09 - Q6: How to Fix Life Once You Figure Out "The Why" ("...after one figures out why life has turned out the way it did, how does one quote unquote fix that?") 37:57 - Q7: Working on Being Less Hard on Yourself ("I'm very hard on myself and have two higher expectations... Do you have any other methods that can help me work on being less hard on myself?") My new book is available for pre-order: Why Do I Keep Doing This? → https://geni.us/XoyLSQ If you've ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I'd be so grateful for your support. Ask Kati Anything ep. 286 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT MY BOOKS Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Disclaimer The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's questions are very interesting! Everything from breaking the habit of nail biting and skin picking, to navigating comparison, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome. We'll also talk about menopause, how it can affect mood, depression, and even how ADHD medications work plus what happens when your diagnosis suddenly changes and you're left wondering who to believe. And finally, we'll explore what it's like to be diagnosed with ADHD later in life, after years of being told it was something else entirely. So whether you're here to better understand your own mental health, or you just love learning more about how our brains and emotions work, this episode is full of real questions, honest conversations, and practical takeaways you can actually use. My new book is available for pre-order: Why Do I Keep Doing This? → https://geni.us/XoyLSQ If you've ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I'd be so grateful for your support. Audience questions: (01:03) How do I stop biting my nails? (Compulsion to pick at skin/nails) (09:54) I keep comparing myself to other people, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome. (20:01) Thoughts about menopause and how it affects depression. (25:21) Is it true that menopause hinders ADHD meds from working? (30:26) What are some things I can do to improve my communication skills with my partner? (41:00) Identity shift with a change in diagnosis (ADHD/ASD vs. OCPD) and who to believe. (51:43) Women being diagnosed with ADHD later in life (55+) and misdiagnosis with bipolar disorder. Sponsors: I want to take a moment to give a kind word of thanks to the companies that support this podcast. Shopping with our sponsors helps support the show and allows us to continue bringing you these important conversations about mental health. Please check out this week's partners and their special offers: • Headspace: Get 60 days FREE www.Headspace.com/AskKati • Fabletics: 80% off everything for new VIP members www.Fabletics.com/Kati • Crowd Health: Get your first three months for just $99 JoinCrowdHealth.com | use code ASKKATI • One Skin: 15% off OneSkin.co | use code KATI Ask Kati Anything ep. 285 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT My original YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/@Katimorton #podcast #therapist #katimorton MY BOOKS Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this powerful and deeply relatable episode of UNSUBSCRIBE™, host Ginny Priem sits down with Kati Morton, licensed therapist, author, and mental-health creator with millions of followers, for an honest conversation about the belief we all need to UNSUBSCRIBE™ from — the idea that we have to earn love.

Today, Kati sits down with neuroscientist Dr. Ben Rein, to dive into the social connection and the growing loneliness epidemic. Dr. Rein, author of Why Brains Need Friends, explains how your brain is fundamentally wired for interaction, why isolation is a biological stressor, and what you can do to improve your social health. In this must-watch episode, Dr. Rein explains the mechanical changes happening in your brain during isolation and clarifies why the U.S. Surgeon General has declared a loneliness epidemic. You'll learn the surprising truth about isolation and physical health—it can cause stress hormones like cortisol to rise within days and is associated with more adverse health outcomes. Dr. Rein also reveals the science behind why isolation can make people more irritable and even angry, linking it to the body's natural stress response. Kati and Dr. Rein discuss the difference between in-person and digital interactions, noting that less "lifelike" communication strips away vital social cues like eye contact, body language, and even smell, leading to fewer mood benefits. Dr. Rein introduces the concept of a "Social Diet" and social journaling—practical tools to help you identify which interactions energize you ("breath in" relationships) versus those that leave you depleted. The conversation takes fascinating turns into the role of brain chemicals like oxytocin and serotonin in social reward and the development of empathy. Plus, discover the incredible, innate ability of dogs to detect physiological stress signals and the science of how pets help children develop crucial social skills. By shopping with our sponsors, you help support our podcast: Green Chef https://www.greenchef.com/50ASKKATI HeadSpace https://www.headspace.com/ASKKATI Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Ben Rein, neuroscientist and author of Why Brains Need Friends. 02:54 - The neuroscience behind loneliness-induced anger and why isolation is treated as a stressor by the body. 05:57 - Debunking the myth: Do introverts benefit from social interaction, and in what dose? 10:48 - The evolutionary reason we are wired for social reward, and the key brain chemicals involved: dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin. 15:40 - A discussion on MDMA, serotonin depletion, and the severity of the drug's comedown. 21:11 - The shocking statistics on increasing time spent alone in modern society (36 hours more per month). 28:22 - What is "inter brain synchrony," and can it happen over a text message?. 35:47 - The power of social smells: how tears can reduce aggression and how a mother's scent affects a baby's brain synchrony. 41:51 - Why growing up with dogs helps children develop empathy and fewer conduct problems. 48:53 - The powerful therapeutic properties of oxytocin (anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective) beyond just social connection. Ask Kati Anything ep. 284 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Today's guest is Dr. Ben Rein https://www.youtube.com/@dr.benrein Order Ben's new book Why Brains Need Friends → https://geni.us/WhyBrainsNeedFriends My new book Why Do I Keep Doing This? is available for pre-order! https://geni.us/XoyLSQ If you've ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I'd be so grateful for your support. MY BOOKS Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you struggling to support a friend's mental health crisis while battling your own? This essential episode of Ask Kati Anything dives deep into setting healthy boundaries in tough friendships, tackling the crucial question of how to protect your peace without guilt. We also explore the often-misunderstood journey of relapse and recovery, the profound search for meaning when life feels empty due to depression, and offer vital insights into eating disorders at different life stages, from early struggles to fears about pregnancy and being a role model. Plus, discover whether day-to-day anxiety truly serves a purpose, how to navigate a forgetful therapist, and the emotional impact of chronic illness and bullying. My new book is available for pre-order: Why Do I Keep Doing This? → https://geni.us/XoyLSQ If you've ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I'd be so grateful for your support. Episode Timestamps: 00:44 - q1  What to do when supporting a struggling friend begins to trigger your own pain. 08:31 - q2  Could you talk about best practices for staying out of the hospital and about the stigma around relapse and recovery? 17:00 - q3  How can any meaning in life be found when it takes action to find meaning? 21:59 - q4  I'm almost 28 years old and have been struggling with anorexia for six years and eating disorder behaviors for more than half my life. 29:26 - q5  I was wondering if I have an eating disorder. 33:51 - q6  Does day-to-day anxiety actually serve a purpose like other emotions? 38:16 - q7  Can you please talk about therapy and how to handle a forgetful therapist? 42:47 - q8  Could you cover the correlation of chronic illnesses or chronic pain like a leg disability... and mental health issues? Ask Kati Anything ep. 283 |  your weekly mental health podcast hosted by licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton, where she answers your most pressing mental health questions with compassion, expertise, and actionable advice. Support Our Show by Checking Out Our Sponsors We're able to bring you these important conversations thanks to the support of our incredible sponsors. Please take a moment to visit them and learn more about what they offer! BetterHelp - Our listeners get 10% off their first month at https://www.betterhelp.com/katipod October 10th is World Mental Health Day, and BetterHelp is celebrating the therapists who make healing possible. If you're ready to find the right therapist for you, BetterHelp can help you start that journey. Blissy - as a listener, receive your 60 nights risk-free plus an additional 30% off when you shop at https://blissy.com/askkatipod and use code askkatipod MY BOOKS Traumatized   https://geni.us/Bfak0j   Are u ok?    https://geni.us/sva4iUY  PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman |  nick@biglittlemedia.co DISCLAIMER The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Tara sits down with licensed therapist, author, and YouTube trailblazer Kati Morton for a candid conversation about mental health, boundaries, and resilience. Kati opens up about her journey from reluctant creator to leading voice in online mental health education, sharing both the challenges and rewards along the way. Together, they unpack the pressures of people-pleasing, the evolving role of social media, and the necessity of setting healthy limits. Kati also dives into her new book, Why Do I Keep Doing This?, revealing her own struggles with control and the valuable lessons she's learned. This episode is a thoughtful reminder of the importance of self-care, emotional resilience, and compassionate parenting. If you've ever fallen into the trap of people-pleasing and can't figure out why, then you need to listen to this episode! Links: https://katimorton.com/ https://www.youtube.com/user/katimorton Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Healing from trauma can feel like an impossible journey, especially when you feel completely numb and disconnected. In this video, licensed marriage and family therapist Katie Morton tackles some of the toughest questions about complex PTSD, childhood trauma, and finding a way to heal. She offers practical tips for rebuilding trust in yourself, managing overwhelming emotions, and navigating the difficult path to recovery. Whether you're feeling stuck, struggling with self-harm, or trying to process grief, this episode provides hope and validation. Ask Kati Anything ep.280 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Please support the podcast by visiting our sponsors: OneSkin Get 15% off your order using the code KATI at https://www.oneskin.co/ Liquid I.V. Use promo code KATI to receive 20% off your order at https://www.liquid-iv.com/ Timestamps 00:46 Q1: Childhood Trauma/PTSD 14:07 Q2: Feeling Stuck in Therapy 20:46 Q3: Reconnecting After Attachment Wounds 26:46 Q4: Self-Harm 29:21 BOOK Recommendation: Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j 31:55 Q5: Pet Grief 37:50 Q6: Kinks and Trauma 42:40 Q7: Living with Chronic Ideation My new book is available for pre-order: Why Do I Keep Doing This? → https://geni.us/XoyLSQ If you've ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I'd be so grateful for your support. YOUTUBE CHANNEL https://www.youtube.com/@Katimorton ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ballet, burnout, and the hidden mental health battles of a top performer. In this powerful conversation, Sara Mearns — principal ballerina at New York City Ballet — opens up about her journey through a breakdown, therapy, and rediscovering joy in dance. Hear her unfiltered story about pressure, resilience, and the healing power of vulnerability. Ask Kati Anything ep. 279 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: Meet Sara Mearns 01:05 – Why ballet feels new every day 03:40 – The pressure of never feeling “good enough” 04:42 – Mental Health Coalition & Covid struggles 07:12 – The breaking point: burnout and depression 12:14 – Rediscovering balance through therapy 17:14 – The role of storytelling and books like The Midnight Library https://amzn.to/3HRAhsM 22:12 – The intimacy of dance partnerships 30:47 – When the audience goes silent: the ultimate performance high 35:17 – Deciding to become a professional ballerina at 12 39:01 – Why therapy should be part of training for all athletes 45:20 – The small shifts therapy creates over time 50:07 – How going public with her burnout helped others 53:58 – The future of ballet and mental health advocacy Follow along with Sara https://www.instagram.com/saramearns https://www.nycballet.com/ My new book is available for pre-order! Why Do I Keep Doing This? → https://geni.us/XoyLSQ If you've ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I'd be so grateful for your support. SPONSORS: To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts: oneskin.co - use the code KATI for 15% OFF betterhelp.com/katipod - (enjoy 10% off your first month) MY BOOKS Traumatized   https://geni.us/Bfak0j   Are u ok?    https://geni.us/sva4iUY  PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman |  nick@biglittlemedia.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us as Kati Morton breaks down emotional unavailability—how to recognize it in yourself and others, navigate tricky friendships, and spot the three key indicators in relationships. Stick around as Kati shares her journey growing as a YouTuber, dives into her book Why Do I Keep Doing This, and reflects on what fulfillment truly means to her.Kati Morton, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist, Best-selling Author, and a highly sought-after speaker in the field of mental health. With a Master's in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, Kati has delivered impactful talks at prestigious events and platforms worldwide. Kati's upcoming book, Why Do I Keep Doing This?  (out December 2025), explores why we fall into the same emotional loops, such as people-pleasing or self-sabotage, and how to break them once and for all.Kati has been at the forefront of the mental health movement since 2011, sharing powerful videos that demystify mental health and replace stigmas with understanding. Her influential YouTube channel - with over 1.5 million subscribers and 130 million views, has made her a prominent figure in translating complex mental health concepts into accessible language.An accomplished author of two best-selling books "Are u ok?: A Guide to Caring for Your Mental Health" and “TRAUMATIZED: Identify, Understand, and Cope with PTSD and Emotional Stress,” Kati's dedication to dismantling barriers to mental health services and fostering a supportive global community is unmatched.Through her dynamic presence on social media and appearances on top-rated shows such as TODAY Show, CNN, E! News, CBS The Doctors, Dr. Phil, and The Dr. Drew Show, she has also appeared in numerous prestigious digital outlets such as the New York Times, USA Today, The Hollywood Reporter, Glamour UK, Bustle, INSIDER, HUFFPOST, and many more.Kati has successfully spread awareness, reduced stigma, and empowered individuals to prioritize their mental well-being.For more information, go to www.KatiMorton.com  Follow Kati Morton on YouTube // Instagram // TikTok, Twitter // FacebookChapters: 0:00 - Introduction0:48 - Emotional unavailability explained: How to spot it in yourself and others2:54 - Friendship dynamics with emotionally unavailable people6:15 - 3 key indicators of emotional unavailability in relationships25:00 - Kati Morton on creating content and growing as a YouTuber30:18 - Deep dive into Why Do I Keep Doing This and what the book offers36:21 - Kati reflects on what fulfillment means to her→ CONTACT ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA ← 1:1 CONSULTING CALL: https://calendly.com/rorymitchell-biz/15-minute-discovery-call?month=2025-02INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/officially.rory/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@officiallyroryX/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/officiallyroryHOO.BE: https://hoo.be/officiallyroryPAYPAL DONATIONS: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/rorymitch

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Katie Morton, a licensed marriage and family therapist who has transformed her passion for mental health into a thriving digital presence. From her humble beginnings on a Christmas tree farm in rural Washington, Katie has become a significant voice in the mental health community on YouTube.In this episode, Katie shares her personal journey and professional evolution, highlighting the influence of her family's progressive approach to therapy and the impact of her father's passing. She candidly discusses the challenges and triumphs of shifting from traditional mental health practice to becoming a content creator, emphasizing perseverance and adaptability.Listen in as Katie reveals insights from her books on control, perfectionism, and self-discovery, and underscores the importance of listening to one's inner calling.Don't miss this engaging episode as we explore how personal experiences and a supportive environment can inspire a fulfilling career in mental health and encourage others to do the same.Connect with Kati at her WebsiteEmail Janice: stopdiets@aol.comJanice's Website: http://stopdiets.comIf you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive rating and review!

PODCAST SHOW NOTES FORMAT Are you stuck in what feels like an emotional Groundhog Day with your teen—where the same arguments, defiance, and standoffs keep repeating? You're not alone. In this episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, I sit down with therapist and bestselling author Kati Morton to uncover why punishment-based parenting fails with teenagers and how to finally break these frustrating cycles. Kati explains that adolescence is about independence-seeking, not rebellion—and when parents try to control teens with consequences, they often fuel the very behaviors they want to stop. Instead, she offers science-backed strategies that shift the focus from control to influence, using curiosity and connection to build lasting respect and trust. From handling risky teen behaviors to creating space for authentic conversations, this episode gives you practical tools and a fresh perspective. If you're tired of repeating the same exhausting battles, this conversation will help you hit reset and start building a calmer, more connected relationship with your teen. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE Why punishing your teen often makes behavior worse, not better The game-changing shift from control to influence How to stay calm and use “wise mind” during heated conflicts Simple ways to spark honest conversations without forcing it

How do you actually feel your emotions without being consumed by them? In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, licensed therapist Kati Morton shares practical strategies for processing feelings in a healthy way — and how to compartmentalize without suppressing what you're going through. Kati also answers listener questions about knowing if your anxiety medication is really working, the difference between dissociation and zoning out, how to cope with burnout-related memory problems, and what to do when starting therapy feels overwhelming because everything is connected. With neuroscience-backed insights and compassionate guidance, this episode will help you manage your emotions, protect your mental health, and create space to feel without losing control. My new book Why Do I Keep Doing This? is now available for pre-order: https://geni.us/XoyLSQ If you've ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I'd be so grateful for your support. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Intro 00:44 – How to Feel Emotions Without Being Overwhelmed (Healthy Compartmentalization) 08:05 – How to Know If Anxiety Medication Is Working (Signs & Next Steps) 13:07 – Mild Dissociation vs. Zoning Out: How to Recognize and Stop It 19:06 – Dissociation vs. Derealization Explained (Key Differences) 23:38 – Starting Therapy but Invalidation Your Struggles (Why It Happens) 28:34 – Burnout, Stress, ASD & Memory Issues: What's Normal vs. Concerning 35:40 – Where to Start in Therapy When Everything Feels Interconnected ⚠️ Trigger Warning (suicidality, trauma, grief) 41:01 – Outro & Homework Ask Kati Anything ep. 276 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT BOOKS by Kati Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY

In this revealing conversation, Grace Helbig opens up about her early days of YouTube stardom, to the burnout that followed, and facing breast cancer head-on. She shares behind-the-scenes stories of navigating the chaos of internet fame, the toll it took on her mental health, and how stepping away gave her the clarity to return on her own terms. Grace dives deep into the emotional and psychological impact of living life online, the loss of community in the creator space, and how her diagnosis reshaped her priorities. Now, with a renewed sense of purpose, she's transforming pain into art through her new live comedy show, bringing humor and honesty to life's hardest moments. Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering Grace for the first time, this episode is an inspiring, unfiltered reminder that it's never too late to reinvent yourself. My new book is available for pre-order! Why Do I Keep Doing This? → https://geni.us/XoyLSQ If you've ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I'd be so grateful for your support. More Grace: https://www.youtube.com/@itsgrace/videos This Might Get Weird (podcast) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6qM1-K69UGys_BnilnWZ7w More Kati: https://www.youtube.com/@Katimorton MY BOOKS Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY Ask Kati Anything ep. 275 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT I've teamed up with Babbel to give you 55% off your subscription—but only for listeners—at Babbel.com/KATI ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Struggling with trauma, trust issues, food and body image struggles, or feeling like no one ever showed up for you? In this episode, Kati responds to six powerful community questions about healing after emotional neglect, craving validation, navigating boundary violations, and figuring out how to keep going when life feels overwhelming.Whether you're starting therapy, dealing with past experiences that left you feeling confused or stuck, or just trying to feel seen, this episode offers real insight and encouragement.

Kandee Johnson was sleeping just 2 hours a night at the height of her YouTube fame - juggling content creation, brand deals, and raising 4 kids as a single mom. In this honest conversation, she shares what that lifestyle really cost her and that health issues eventually forced her to step away.From having 13 cents in her bank account to becoming YouTube's biggest beauty creator, Kandee opens up about the reality behind the success. She talks about the exhaustion, the constant travel, editing videos until 4 AM, and how her body eventually said "enough." My new book is available for pre-order: Why Do I Keep Doing This? → https://geni.us/XoyLSQ If you've ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I'd be so grateful for your support. What you'll hear in this episode How she went from broke single mom to YouTube success The reality of sleeping 2-4 hours a night for years Why she was working 16-hour days constantly Health issues that made her take a break Her honest thoughts on social media and "doom scrolling" Why she turned down millions in brand deals for integrity What she learned during her time away from YouTube TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - From 13 cents to YouTube success 12:45 - The exhaustion of constant content creation 28:30 - Behind the scenes of a YouTube career 35:20 - Health issues and stepping away 42:15 - Life during her YouTube break 48:50 - Thoughts on social media addiction 55:30 - What she'd do differently Ask Kati Anything ep. 273 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT #podcast #kandeejohnson #katimorton MY BOOKS Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode I explain why you struggle to trust yourself and share the simple strategy to rebuild self-trust. I'll help you identify healthy vs unhealthy attachment to your therapist, recognize when you're protecting yourself in therapy, and understand the root causes of intimacy fears. I also cover different therapeutic styles, OCD vs OCD-like tendencies, and practical tips for developing secure attachment patterns. In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, I address six of your questions about self-trust, therapy struggles, and mental health challenges. Whether you're feeling stuck in life, questioning your therapeutic relationship, or dealing with intrusive thoughts, I provide actionable insights for your healing journey. Key Topics I Discuss • My promise-keeping method for building self-trust • Signs of healthy vs unhealthy therapist attachment • Why some therapists avoid deep work (and what to do about it) • Understanding protection vs control in therapy • Root causes of intimacy fears and how to overcome them • OCD symptoms vs OCD-like tendencies explained Timestamps 0:00 Introduction 0:30 Q1: How to learn to trust yourself 5:46 Q2: Healthy vs unhealthy therapist attachment 11:09 Q3: Therapist not focusing on root issues 17:02 Q4: Controlling everything in therapy 25:04 Q5: Fears of intimacy and healthy attachments 34:07 Q6: OCD vs OCD-like tendencies 40:01 Closing thoughts Ask Kati Anything ep. 272 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT My new book is available for pre-order: Why Do I Keep Doing This? → https://geni.us/XoyLSQ If you've ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I'd be so grateful for your support. MY BOOKS Why Do I Keep Doing This? (pre-order) https://geni.us/XoyLSQ Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY CHANNEL MEMBERSHIP https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzBYOHyEEzlkRdDOSobbpvw/join ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Mental Cost of Fighting Misinformation: Professor Dave opens up in this honest conversation, Dave Farina from the YouTube channel Professor Dave Explains shares the personal toll of dedicating his life to fighting misinformation and educating millions online. As one of YouTube's most prominent science educators, Dave reveals the mental health challenges that come with constant content creation and defending scientific truth in today's polarized world. Dave discusses how his work ethic has evolved from healthy productivity to potential burnout, the emotional strategies he's developed to handle daily harassment, and why he feels compelled to continue despite the personal cost. This conversation offers valuable insights for content creators, educators, and anyone interested in the psychology of online advocacy. ------ My new book is available for pre-order: Why Do I Keep Doing This? → https://geni.us/XoyLSQ If you've ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I'd be so grateful for your support. ------ Key Topics Discussed: The transition from musician to full-time science educator and debunker How constant work has rewired his brain and affected his ability to disconnect Strategies for emotional detachment when facing online harassment and threats The mental health impact of fighting misinformation as a career Balancing family life with a demanding content creation schedule Why he feels a sense of duty to continue despite burnout The broader societal implications of the "post-truth era" Practical advice for creators dealing with online negativity This episode provides a rare look into the personal sacrifices and psychological resilience required to be an effective science communicator in the digital age. Resources: If you're interested in creator psychology, science education, or the fight against misinformation, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on the human cost of online advocacy. Check out Dave Farina's channel https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessorDaveExplains Ask Kati Anything ep. 271 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT MY BOOKS Why Do I Keep Doing This? (pre-order) https://geni.us/XoyLSQ Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you struggling with depression, self-sabotage, or anxiety that no one else can see? In this deeply honest episode of Ask Katie Anything, licensed therapist Kati Morton explains what high functioning depression really feels like and why you might feel so empty inside, even when life looks “perfect” on the outside. We'll explore how childhood trauma, emotional neglect, and attachment wounds shape your mental health today — and how they're connected to self-sabotage, memory gaps, and anxiety symptoms like itching or shaking. Kati shares practical steps to break free from guilt, reconnect with yourself, and start healing. My new book is available for pre-order: Why Do I Keep Doing This? → https://geni.us/XoyLSQ If you've ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I'd be so grateful for your support. Ask Kati Anything ep. 270 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Questions & timestamps 1. Could you talk about high-functioning depression and what it really looks like? For context, I feel like I have a “perfect” life; supportive parents, a stable home, pets, a car, and all the basic things I need to live comfortably. I haven't experienced any trauma, and from the outside, everything seems fine... 00:00:43 2. I accept my flaws and want to grow, but I zone out or give up easily. I've been stagnant in my studies for 3 years. How do I build real, lasting change when it feels so hard to even begin? 00:12:07 3. I've recently realized there are a lot of things I do not remember about my childhood. My sibling was sharing stories and kept looking at me asking, “Do you remember that?” and I rarely did. We lived in the same house so how does she remember so much more than me? 00:17:49 4. Could you please explain why people itch when they are anxious? It's something I have recently started doing without even knowing it was related to my mental health. Could you please tell me why we do this? And how we might be able to stop? Thank you love your videos and podcasts! 00:22:29 5. My question is about attachment regarding military life, having a parent unavailable but not by choice. I often hear you mention your dad being gone for work frequently when you were a child and how you believe it has an effect on your upbringing. My dad was in the military for 25 years and was often gone during my childhood—not for super long periods (maybe 4 months max), but he left and returned so often... 00:29:11 6. I've been on a healing journey in the last 2 years in trauma therapy. I've worked a lot on myself with the big challenge of feeling my own feelings. I've learned to sit with my feelings and finally felt safe with my therapist. I've set boundaries with family, lost relationships, and even lost a pet during therapy... 00:38:59 7. My old therapist is having a baby and I will no longer be able to see her. She has been so helpful and I have been able to move on from her in the past (when I “graduated” DBT). All of the therapists I have had since seeing her don't quit live up. It's possible that she's my favorite person. How do I move forward with my life? 00:42:31 ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watch Khalyla Kuhn get raw and real with Kati Morton. In this powerful conversation, Khalyla shares untold truths about her very public breakup with Bobby Lee, recovering from Bell's Palsy, launching her business Ebb Ocean Club during total chaos, becoming a mom in secret, and what it's really like to deal with toxic internet culture. If you've ever felt misunderstood, judged online, or trapped by stress, this episode will hit home.

In this powerful episode of Ask Kati Anything, licensed therapist and YouTube mental health advocate Kati Morton answers vulnerable audience questions about living without hope, healing from lifelong trauma, and navigating emotional burnout. We explore how to break free from chronic emotional numbness, cope with retraumatization in unsafe environments, and rebuild a sense of purpose when life feels stagnant or meaningless. Kati offers expert insight on topics like maladaptive coping strategies, therapy attachment wounds, and the overwhelming grief that comes from invisible disabilities and complex PTSD. Thank you to liquid-iv.com for sponsoring mental health content! USE THE PROMO CODE KATI For 20% OFF! Audience questions for Ask Kati Anything ep. 268 1. I'd like to hear what you have to say about living without hope. My therapist and I have been... 00:01:18 2. Hey Kati, I'm a 25F with ASD. I have been abused by over 50 people (after reaching 50 I stopped counting) in almost every way imaginable, even by people who were supposed to love and/or protect me, even by therapists and teachers, from when I was 4 years old until recently. I don't even really know what the word “safe” means. I have helped or held space for many people dealing with pain and grief, but I never learned how to receive help for myself. I was shamed and physically punished by my parents for even the smallest acts of self-care, self-soothing or my ASD symptoms themselves... 00:09:27 3. How do I get past the fact that therapy itself requires an imbalance of intimacy and sharing and just overall is not an organic give and take relationship? 00:18:07 4. How to stop obsessing over the world we live in….and how scary it's becoming for our children. 00:25:12 5. I feel like I have nothing exciting to look forward to. This has been ongoing for years. 00:29:38 6. How can you cope with re traumatisation when you can't get out of the situation? 00:33:49 7. Is it possible for untreated mental illness to be traumatizing? I think I had a period of depression for a few months when I was 12-13ish, but I never told anyone and would always say I was fine when asked. I was functional enough to shower, eat, do school... 00:33:49 My new book is available for pre-order: Why Do I Keep Doing This? → https://geni.us/XoyLSQ If you've ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I'd be so grateful for your support. ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shane Dawson and Ryland Adams join licensed therapist Kati Morton for an unfiltered and heartfelt deep dive into their relationship. From their awkward first date and sleep divorce setup to parenting twins and surviving cancel culture, nothing is off-limits in this revealing episode of Ask Kati Anything. We talk about love languages, fights, co-parenting, therapy breakthroughs, and how their relationship evolved from their first date to building a family. Shane opens up about his mental health, creative rebirth, and fatherhood, while Ryland shares how communication, trust, and humor keep their bond strong. Whether you're in a relationship, navigating parenthood, or just here for the stories—this episode delivers plenty of “OMG did he really just say that?” moments. *** PRE-ORDER MY NEW BOOK *** Why Do I Keep Doing This? https://geni.us/XoyLSQ

This week on Ask Kati Anything, Kati Morton, LMFT, answers your deeply vulnerable questions around eating disorder recovery, abandonment, and the grief of losing a therapist. If you've ever felt “too much,” stuck in self-sabotage, or rejected by the people who should've helped—you are not alone. In this episode: What to do when your therapist wants to cut back sessions but you're not ready How to move forward when your parents knew you were struggling but stayed silent Why ED behaviors change shape—and how to finally stop the cycle How reparenting work can trigger relapse (and what to do instead) Grieving the loss of a therapist you trusted Why your body can't accept the good things—and how to heal that trauma response

In this episode Kati sits down with Rosanna Pansino to uncover the powerful story behind her success. Rosanna opens up about growing up undiagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, surviving a rough school environment, and how she turned academic struggles and self-doubt into creative power. From being told she “wasn't smart enough for college” to becoming a multi-hyphenate creator with millions of fans, this conversation is a must-watch for anyone who's ever felt different, discouraged, or underestimated. Together, Kati and Rosanna dive deep into: ADHD in women and late diagnosis Dyslexia and educational trauma The emotional cost of masking and people-pleasing How neurodivergence fuels creativity Sexism in school, religion, and business The surprising origin story of Rosanna's YouTube career What it's like to be your dad's “surrogate son” This is one of the most honest, validating, and empowering conversations we've ever had. Whether you're neurodivergent, a fan of Rosanna's, or someone healing their inner teen — you'll walk away feeling seen and inspired

Are repressed memories real? Can you recover them — and should you even try? In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, licensed therapist Kati Morton dives into the complex topic of repressed and suppressed memories, why dissociation happens during trauma, and whether it's possible to retrieve lost experiences. If you've ever wondered why you remember some painful moments and forget others, or how to talk to a therapist about memory gaps, this video is for you. We also explore: • Why some traumatic memories disappear • The connection between dissociation and memory loss • How to safely work with a therapist to recover memories • Kati's personal story about grief and emotional overwhelm

In this quick episode, I share what has been going on with the podcast and why I haven't been uploading. The truth is, that I am taking a step back from the show. I explain why and what comes next. Part of the episode is me reading off a post that I wrote, which you can read below. ------ I think it's time to let go of my podcast. Episode 1 of the Hardcore Self Help Podcast aired on 3/16/2016. Nearly 450 episodes later, I think it might be time to let it go. When I began the show, podcasting wasn't cool. This was before Huberman Lab and Diary of a CEO. This is before every influencer had their own podcast. I certainly wasn't one of the first podcasts, but I was in the cohort of podcasters that were influenced by Pat Flynn, Cliff Ravenscraft, and Daniel J. Lewis. Podcasts were the up and coming way to generate an audience and scale your craft. For me, this was a way to bring mental health content to the masses. In 2014, I released my first book, Hardcore Self Help: F**k Anxiety. I wrote this during my pre-doctoral internship at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego. The book was written and published in a matter of a couple weeks, driven by my frustrations with the mental health field following my wife's hospitalization (more about that in my TedX talk). Since the market was not yet saturated with potty-mouth self-help books, it was a hit and quickly became my primary source of income. With the popularity of the book came emails and direct messages asking me questions. As someone who was working toward becoming licensed as a psychologist, it was important that I didn't give out direct advice to people in a private forum unless I had an established care relationship with the person. That's when I realized I could make my childhood dreams of having a newspaper advice column come true by starting a podcast. Truthfully, this was not my first foray into podcasting. I tried to start a podcast about the 90s with my friends called The Good Old Days, but that failed to launch. Then I had a podcast that ran for a good while called The Voices Among Us, in which I interviewed unhoused people on the street about their lives. Those experiences meant that I had the tools and knowledge necessary to launch the Hardcore Self Help Podcast. And man, has it been great. I have had the opportunity to answer questions about anxiety, relationships, sexuality, school, neuroscience, medications, abusive families, PTSD, depression, bipolar, autism, mushrooms, ketamine, queerness, blackness, multiculturalism, gender identity and so much more. I've been able have great conversations with Seth Godin, Dr. Andrea Letamendi, Kati Morton, Gary Bishop, Dr. Anna Yusim, Tiffany Jenkins, Jenn Harris, Dr. Patrick McGrath, Tony Weaver Jr., Dr. Judy Ho, Dr. David Burns, and many others. And yet, as the years of the podcast march on, the interest is waning. I will always have pride for being something of an O.G. in the mental health podcasting space, but as my wife said recently, it's important to make room for other voices and to not force something that isn't working. I wouldn't say the podcast isn't working, but it certainly isn't what it once was. At one point in time, I was getting enough listens to garner thousands per month in advertising revenue. These days, I'm lucky if an episode hits 5,000 listens in a month. To be clear, that is still a substantial amount, but for the hours that I put into the podcast, the decline in listenership over time becomes hard to justify at a certain point. Here's a graph from my podcast hosting platform so you can see what I mean:  I worry a bit about coming off as ungrateful or just chasing numbers. Hopefully it's clear that I am immensely proud of what I've been able to do with the podcast and so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have a platform like this. I have a folder in my email with feedback from people that I have answered questions for, and trust me when I say there is no better pick-me-up on a rainy day than reading through some of them. However, ultimately, I need to figure out the best path forward for myself, for my career, and for my family. Unfortunately, a lot of that comes down to income right now. I need to make more money. While I get many benefits from continuing the podcast, it is no longer lucrative, and it takes up a great deal of time and mental space to maintain. As someone who always has my hands in many pies, I need to take a step back every so often to re-evaluate my priorities. To weigh the pros and cons of each facet of my career and life and determine where I should be increasing or decreasing my focus. Between my clinical work as a neuropsychologist and therapist, podcasting, writing books, giving professional talks, and being a presence for my family and loved ones, there isn't an obvious answer. But there is one that I am begrudgingly starting to admit to myself. I haven't even made an actual change yet, and I am already starting the grieving process. This project has been so incredibly important to me and central to my life. It's like letting go of a child. In fact, as I'm writing this, my 10-year-old just came in and told me that he doesn't want me to quit. Sigh… these choices are never easy. I should know – once upon a time, I wasn't known as Duff The Psych, I was known as the ASMRtist, Justawhisperingguy. And just like there are some OGs out there who have stuck around since my first ASMR videos, there will be OGs who are still with me a decade from now that started following me from my first podcast episodes. So, all of this begs the question: What now? I don't think I am going to be cutting off the podcast cold turkey. For one, I don't have any interest in getting rid of the entire back catalogue, so I'm not going to suddenly stop paying for my podcast host. I also may occasionally come back to post something on the podcast feed if I record an interview or have the bug to make some content. My Youtube channel will continue to be the primary platform where I release longform content. But it's time to take a big step back. It's time to find another avenue to continue building and engaging with my audience. It's time to put some effort into marketing my next book. It's time to stop stressing out because the kids are taking a long time to go to sleep or are being too loud so I can't record. It's time to take a deep breath and step off into the next stage of my life and career. Whatever the hell that may turn out to be.   Love, Robert

Whether you've struggled with anxiety, felt culturally misunderstood, or used humor to survive — this is an episode that meets you where you are. Comedian and creator Grace Africa joins therapist Kati Morton, LMFT, for a powerful conversation about mental health, cultural identity, TikTok fame, and the universal search for belonging. MY NEW BOOK IS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER Why Do I Keep Doing This? https://geni.us/XoyLSQ In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, Grace shares her incredible journey from nursing school to TikTok stardom — and how growing up between Houston and Nigeria shaped her comedy, worldview, and mental health. Together, they explore: ✔️ Burnout in healthcare and the cost of being an empath ✔️ What it's like growing up Nigerian-American and navigating two cultures ✔️ The stigma around mental health in African communities ✔️ Comedy as a tool for healing, storytelling, and activism ✔️ The highs and lows of TikTok visibility and online identity ✔️ How it feels when people “pray against” your dreams — and how to rise anyway ✔️ Reclaiming your identity and finding where you truly belong

Kati Morton, LMFT sits down with Jordan Leigh—mental health advocate, entrepreneur, and fiancée of Montreal Canadiens NHL star Patrik Laine—for a candid look behind the scenes of professional sports and personal struggle. Jordan shares the unseen emotional weight of loving someone in the public eye: the fear of injury, the pressure to stay strong, and the mental health impact of being the steady one when your partner can't be. They also talk about her non-profit From Us to You, the mental toll of unpredictability, and how real support goes beyond just “being there.” Whether you're an athlete's partner, a high achiever carrying too much, or just someone looking for a truly honest conversation about love and mental health—this one's for you. Ask Kati Anything ep. 260 with Jordan Leigh | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT PRE-ORDER MY NEW BOOK!Why Do I Keep Doing This? https://geni.us/XoyLSQ

This week licensed therapist Kati Morton discusses what makes a good and bad therapist, how to know if you're seeing a bad one, why we need validation from others, and the difference between anxiety and autism. She will also explain why people self-harm, what a block in therapy is and how to overcome it, how to find a good partner, and why trauma and bedwetting are connected. Ask Kati Anything ep.259 | Your mental health podcast AUDIENCE QUESTIONS 1. Hi Kati, I hope you're doing okay. I'm so thankful for all that you do. Your videos have been so helpful to me and sorry in advance for the loaded question. My question is do I have a bad therapist? for context im in therapy for a eating disorder and see a eating disorder specialist. i like her personality and we get along well but every session feels unproductive? i was raped a few months ago and when i told her about it we talked about it for a few minutes not in detail at all, then the next session she brought in my mom (without telling me she was going to do this before hand) talked to her about it and then we never talked about the situation again which is just weird to me. another situation was where she brought my mom in and told her i was still purging (even though i explicitly asked her not to as i just get grounded by my parents) and she told anyways and didnt even let me know she would be sharing this with my mom before hand. every session she asks what i want to talk about and i have a hard time thinking of things to say. i have already told her about the big problems in my life my eating issues, the rape, symptoms of depression , anxiety, and family problems. she knows about all of this but she never gives any homework, or solutions iv only felt worse as iv been in therapy. lm now scared to bring up other things with her like body image and self harm because its embarrassing and , i dont know what will be shared with my family, and she probably wont help with it anyways. im so lost in this situation can you give me some advice on what to do? sorry again for the long question and thank you 2. How do you get over needing validation from someone? How do you learn to be confident if you never get that validation? 3. Hi Kati, how do I tell the difference between what is anxiety related and what is part of my autism. Since my autism diagnosis a lot of things have been falling into place for me especially recognising that certain things I disliked wasn't me being weird it was due to my autism. But I'm still facing a lot of struggles at work, things I have struggled with in other workplaces too but I can't help but wonder how much of this is my anxiety and what is my autism? 4. Why do we as people self-harm? Who came up with the idea? Is it something with our society, or is our brain just so ill we do things to hurt ourselves? 5. Hey Kati. My therapist recently said I have a therapy block since I told her I don't see the purpose in getting better since nothing about my circumstances will change still. What exactly does this mean and does it mean I CANT get better until the block is removed? (Struggle with ED AAN /purging disorder, SH, GAD, MDD, and probably every other letter of the alphabet.) 6. Any advice on meeting a life partner and how to know if someone is the one to get serious with? 7. Trauma and bed wetting - I'd like to know if there's a connection between trauma PTSD / cptsd and bed wetting especially if it happens in children who age up to 18 MY BOOKS Why Do I Keep Doing This? (pre-order) https://geni.us/XoyLSQ Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY CHANNEL MEMBERSHIP https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzBYOHyEEzlkRdDOSobbpvw/join ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co

Thank you to today's sponsor Vegamour! Go to vegamour.com/kati code KATI for 20% off your first order! Join Kati Morton as she sits down with Ryland Adams from the Sip podcast to discuss his unconventional journey, navigating the world of YouTube, and the realities of online fame. Ryland opens up about his early days, from finding a roommate on Craigslist to pursuing an acting career in Hollywood, and how he eventually found his place on YouTube. He shares insights into the hustle, the burnout, and the importance of staying real while building a career online. Ryland also discusses his relationship with Shane Dawson, including how they met, collaborated, and navigated the challenges of online life together. The conversation dives into the challenges of dealing with criticism, maintaining mental health in the digital age, and finding balance as a content creator. Ryland also shares his experiences with marriage and parenthood. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in YouTube, online culture, and personal stories of growth and resilience. Ask Kati Anything ep. 258 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT https://www.youtube.com/@UCVe_RrR9AMeY6Z8ixOv5gtw https://www.youtube.com/@thesipwithrylandadamsandli5476 https://www.youtube.com/@Katimorton #podcast #rylandadams #katimorton MY BOOKS Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY CHANNEL MEMBERSHIP https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzBYOHyEEzlkRdDOSobbpvw/join ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co

Kati Morton Interviews Shane Dawson | Ask Kati Anything Podcast What really happens when you're canceled online? In this powerful episode, YouTube icon Shane Dawson opens up about internet fame, public backlash, mental health, and becoming a first-time father.

Kati Morton discusses psychedelic-assisted therapy with experts Dr. Alexa Altman and Shira Myrow, licensed therapist. This episode of Ask Kati Anything explores alternative treatments for various mental health conditions, including depression, trauma, and anxiety.   Discover how psychedelic therapy differs from traditional talk therapy, the importance of preparation and integration, and the potential of medicines like ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin.   We discuss the role of self-awareness in treatment, the concept of ego softening, and address common concerns about safety and potential negative experiences.   Whether you're curious about the therapeutic use of psychedelics or seeking alternative solutions for mental health challenges, this conversation offers valuable insights and information.   TIMESTAMPS09:29 How psychedelic therapy differs from traditional talk therapy.13:35 The role of the facilitator in psychedelic therapy.18:28 Discussion on MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine.23:12 Characteristics of a good candidate for psychedelic therapy.28:52 Importance of safety and protocols in psychedelic-assisted therapy.32:58 Ketamine as a fast-acting treatment.39:52 Redefining “bad experience” in psychedelic therapy.01:08:16 Challenges in couples therapy and the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy.01:12:08 Advice against self-administration of psychedelicsAsk Kati Anything ep. 256 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFTConnect with Alexa & Shira https://www.i-psychedelic.com/MY BOOKSTraumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month)While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPSLinnea Toney linnea@underscoretalent.com

Today I'm joined by the one and only Lauren Riihimaki—aka LaurDIY—for a deep, hilarious, and refreshingly honest chat. You've seen her build an empire with glue guns and glitter, but in this episode, we go way beyond crafts.Lauren opens up about growing up with anxiety, navigating emetophobia (the fear of vomiting), panic attacks, burnout, and what it's like trying to stay authentic as an OG YouTuber in a world that rewards perfection.We also talk about therapy, medication journeys, the pressure of being online, marriage dynamics, wedding hacks (yes, really), and how life changes when you stop performing and just start being.If you've ever struggled with anxiety, emetophobia, or just being a human on the internet—this one's for you.Ask Kati Anything ep. 255 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Intro1:30 – How LaurDIY started10:00 – Public breakups & parasocial relationships20:00 – Emetophobia & anxiety unpacked35:00 – Medication, therapy & finding the right fit45:00 – The pressure of creator life55:00 – Weddings, burnout, and boundaries1:05:00 – Advice for living with anxiety

We're joined by licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton to uncover society's most common hurdles in mental health, and how these issues can present themselves in relationships. From overanalyzing conversations, to mismatched emotional needs that couples face, Kati sheds light on how to address these issues and apply practical insights to nurture a healthier connection.Find More of Kati on YouTube!Send us your questions at the WT9HOTLINE@GMAIL.COMFollow Wild Til 9 on Insta: @WildTil9Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or by using this link: https://bit.ly/WildTil9Watch Wild Til 9 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildTil9See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week licensed therapist Kati Morton will explain how we can get comfortable expressing our anger, how long is too long to stay with one therapist, and if it's possible to be too close to our mom growing up. She also explains why looking up our therapist on social media can make us feel bad, and whether or not binge listening to this podcast is good or bad for your mental health. Ask Kati Anything ep. 253 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Audience questions: 1. How do I get more comfortable expressing my anger? I have a problem expressing anger. I can feel it but then I don't know what to do with it. A lot of people have said they find it hard to know what I'm feeling because I can say that I'm angry or pi$$ed off but I don't look it or sound it. Although I can say I'm angry I can never say it in the moment or to the person I'm angry with. My therapist on the other hand knows instantly. I can tell her I'm doing good and she will give me that therapist look that says “I know you're lying.” Or I can say I'm angry in a normal tone and she will say something like “I can see you're angry, shall we talk about it.” At this point I'm... 01:10 2. How long is too long to stay with one therapist? Is it healthy to stay with one for many years? (It's been close to 6 years) I know at some point things could change as people leave. I'm worried all the time things will change and I'll feel like I'm in mourning when it ends. 13:38 3. Is there such a thing as being too attached and close to your mother growing up? Can it cause a child to grow up to be codependent or rather, overly dependent? I find that I always ask for my mom's opinions and reassurance and approval for everything because she is so intelligent and insightful, so I've learnt my whole life to trust her opinions more than my own. I wouldn't call my mom a helicopter parent in any other way apart from this aspect of being very eager to jump in and provide her opinions and thoughts and insights. I wish I was more independent and had more confidence in myself. What are your thoughts on this and how can I work on this? 16:40 4. I have found that I occasionally look up my therapist on social media…I am not able to see much, but I am able to see some things because we have some mutual friends. When I see that they're happy in their marriage, laughing in pictures, or they have friends they're spending time with, why does that make me so sad? I usually get anxious and want to cry. I don't have a spouse or a family of my own so I wonder if it's just that I so badly long for that and fear I'll never have it…but then I also wonder if it's just because I wish I could be my therapist's friend and they liked me outside of session. I know this isn't ethical so it won't happen, but I don't know why just seeing them happy makes me sad. I don't feel that way when I see other people so happy. Why does it bother me?! And how do I not let it? I often fear that I am “too much” and have a hard time seeing/believing the good about myself. I want to just be happy when I see people so happy. For context, I was emotionally neglected, bullied, and physically & sexually abused. I do have CPTSD, I am obviously in therapy. I fear I'll never get to a point where someone will want to be in my life. 24:08 5. I recently found your channel, and I can't stop binge listening to your podcast. Can doing this be an unhealthy coping skill to avoid my own thoughts and feelings? Or do you think this could this be something else? 31:27 MAIN YOUTUBE CHANNEL @Katimorton BOOKS Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati (enjoy 10% off your first month) PARTNERSHIPS Linnea Toney linnea@underscoretalent.com

JVN sits down with Kati Morton, a licensed therapist and bestselling author, to dive deep into the world of people-pleasing. Together, they unpack why people-pleasing isn't just about being nice—it's about discomfort with other people's discomfort, and why it leaves so many of us feeling invisible, drained, and resentful. Kati shares her expert tips on breaking free from the cycle, including practical strategies like “opposite action” and learning to set boundaries without guilt. They discuss why saying no doesn't make you selfish, how to rediscover yourself when you've been lost in pleasing others, and why finding the courage to be disliked might be the most radical act of self-care. Kati Morton, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a highly sought-after public speaker in the field of mental health. Starting with a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, she has built a vast & vibrant online community.  Her YouTube channel - with over 1.4 million subscribers and 130 million views, has made her a prominent figure in translating complex mental health concepts into accessible language. Through her dynamic presence on social media and appearances on top-rated shows such as The TODAY Show, Dr. Phil, Alex Cooper's Call Her Daddy, E! News, CBS The Doctors, and The Dr. Drew Show, Kati successfully spreads awareness, reduces stigma, and empowers individuals to prioritize their mental well-being. As an accomplished author of two best-selling books "Are u ok?: A Guide to Caring for Your Mental Health," and “Traumatized: Identify, Understand and Cope with PTSD and Emotional Stress”, Kati's dedication to dismantling barriers to mental health services and fostering a supportive global community is unmatched. You can find Kati on Instagram and Tiktok @katimorton and on YouTube @KatiMorton Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to join the conversation. Jonathan is on Instagram @JVN. Transcripts for each episode are available at JonathanVanNess.com. Find books from Getting Curious guests at bookshop.org/shop/curiouswithjvn. Our senior producer is Chris McClure. Our editor & engineer is Nathanael McClure. Production support from Julie Carrillo, Anne Currie, and Chad Hall. Our theme music is “Freak” by QUIÑ; for more, head to TheQuinCat.com. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week licensed therapist Kati Morton explains why we can have a hard time believing we aren't a horrible person, the effects of having a sibling with mental health issues, and what it really means to “get better.” She also explains what it means to have a “nervous breakdown,” and finally how to cope with emotionally immature parents. Ask Kati Anything ep. 252 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Audience questions: 1. I have a really hard time believing I am not a horrible person. My therapist asks me why I can't accept the good things about myself, but I just can't. It isn't that I want to continue to think shitty thoughts about myself, I just can't break them. How do I do that? I worry I am going to push my therapist away because I can't seem to break these beliefs about myself. I fear I am wasting her time. For context, I have CPTSD, was emotionally neglected, parentified and have a narcissistic parent…on top of other trauma. Thank you for all you do and for answering our questions! 01:00 2. Could you talk about the effects on the sibling of someone (both same age) who has struggled with severe self-harm for years and suicide attempts (non-violent and luckily not successful) eg. the trauma and what that could look like for the sibling who witnessed everything, the “mental preparation” for believing that they are going to someday be successful at their suicide attempt, the core beliefs formed from it all, the neglect due to a high needs sibling etc. Any and all thoughts on the effects and anything else you can think of would be so appreciated. Thanks for all you do, Kati!! (COMMENT: as an add on, can it affect the person who is struggling when they know a sibling knows? // As an add-on if this relates…can you talk about how witnessing a sibling being physically abused impacts you? Then in turn how being abused by that sibling impacts you? I was bullied a lot outside of the home (my sibling joined in on that), but they were also physically and verbally abusive within the home. I understand they had a lot of big emotions and I was an easy target, but I still wonder how all of it has impacted how I view myself. // As an add on if it relates: I have been in therapy for years but struggle to talk to my siblings about the abuse from our childhood. Any ideas how to open that conversation?) 07:12 3. Hi Kati! It is a weird question, but I am not asking for the specifics: When we say it eventually will get better, what is the broad definition of "get better"? The thing is, it is true that it relatively got better, but it is still so hard, and some aspects become harder, I started to feel like I am in a loop where every time I feel like: I am at the end of the rope now, there is more, I am losing my patience and it is terrifying. 19:16 4. What exactly is a “nervous breakdown”? Is that term outdated? When do I know I'm having one and what should one do? 24:15 5. Hi Kati, how do you cope with parents who were emotionally immature/neglectful/abusive when you were a child, but treat their grandchildren entirely differently..aka giving them the childhood you did not have? I feel like I was treated as an adult when I was a child, and now a child as an adult. Many thanks. (as an add on, if they are still bad for you but are good for your children, should you still allow them to be in your life(ves)?) 26:53 PUBLISHED BOOKS Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati (enjoy 10% off your first month) PARTNERSHIPS Linnea Toney linnea@underscoretalent.com

This week licensed therapist Kati Morton explains why compassion can sometimes be triggering, how exposure therapy works, and whether or not she has ever lied to a client. Then she talks about internal emotional conflict, the stages of eating disorder recovery, and how we are impacted by our subconscious mind. Ask Kati Anything ep. 251 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Audience questions: 1. Why do I get an anxious adrenaline rush every time someone shows any sort of compassion or pity towards me? Whenever friends or even my therapist shows compassion or empathy or when she says things like “I'm so sorry- that must've been so hard”, I feel simultaneously really good and acknowledged and cared for, but also very anxious and uncomfortable. Growing up, I... 00:36 2. If the point of exposure therapy is to expose oneself to the anxiety inducing situations in order to prove to ourselves that it's not that bad or as bad as we think, how is that supposed to work if the situation IS as bad or even worse than what we anticipate? Like if someone has social anxiety, and making a phone call or meeting a friend for coffee is super scary because you worry about saying or doing something embarrassing or not having anything to say or your mind going blank etc., what do you do if every time without a fail you somehow do manage to embarrass yourself and have so many awkward silences and not know what to say? 08:23 3. My question is have you ever lied to a client? Would you ever condone it if you were to lead other clinicians?? When is it hardest for you to be honest with clients? 12:52 4. I'm curious on how to deal with always feeling emotionally internally conflicted. Sometimes I feel great like nothing is wrong with me and then other times I just want to lay in bed and do nothing because everything feels pointless. What happens when this causes you to not fit certain diagnostic criteria? I often feel like I'm asked questions like “what has your general mood been?” or “do you have negative thoughts about yourself?” I have trouble answering because I feel so confused about the conflicting emotions I have. It's like sometimes I'm confused by how I could even be having negative feelings/thoughts because of how contrary I feel at other times (but not consistently in any sort of pattern). 16:46 5. Hi Kati! First, I'd like to thank you for the wonderful and helpful work that you do. It's all very much appreciated! After 15 very long years, I've finally been able to give up my eating disorder. I'm happy to say that I've been behavior free for just over a year. However, I still have body image issues and it certainly doesn't help that I happen to be overweight (I realize weight loss isn't the answer). I'm 58 years old and can't seem to stop the anxiety associated with eating, body size and weight. I grew up in a larger body and experienced trauma associated due to that fact. I'd like to be able to say I'm fully recovered in the new year and never again be triggered by photos of myself. What can you suggest that might help me get the rest of the way? 22:10 6. Hey Kati! I hear a lot about “the subconscious mind,” but more from a spiritual context. Can you talk more about the subconscious mind and how it affects us? 26:32 PUBLISHED BOOKSTraumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati (enjoy 10% off your first month) SOCIALX https://twitter.com/KatiMorton TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@katimorton Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katimorton Patreon https://www.katimorton.com/kati-morton-patreon/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/katimorton1/ Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/katimorton1/ PARTNERSHIPS Linnea Toney linnea@underscoretalent.com

This week licensed therapist Kati Morton offers ways to increase our resilience and tolerance to life's stressors, why it's important to speak up in therapy, and why we can sometimes wish our therapist could read our mind. She then discusses the reasons we can struggle to talk about our issues in therapy without feeling full of shame about it. Ask Kati Anything ep. 250 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Audience questions: 1. Can you provide any tips or techniques to increase resiliency and tolerance to life's stressors? 00:58 2. Is getting a therapy appointment about once a month (due to extremely limited availability at college clinics) worth it even if it doesn't feel like it's helping? What can you do when your insurance deductible is really high and you're a college student working multiple jobs just to make rent, food, etc? Especially when parents won't help pay. I've tried medication but nothing feels like it's working. Hope this gets answered because I feel like there are lots of people in this situation. 06:15 3. You often say that if something your therapist says or does bothers you or triggers you, you should bring it up and talk about it with your therapist. But I often feel like if I say something to them and they stop doing/saying whatever it is, then I'm not really learning how to deal with similar situations in the real world. Realistically, I can't go around telling the world to not say or act a certain way so I feel reluctant to say anything when it happens in the therapy room. But then I spiral out and get frustrated with myself for even being bothered by something that I clearly understand was not done intentionally. I also don't want to make my therapist feel... 10:56 4. I'm not sure if I'm the only one who does this, but I've noticed that in therapy I often expect my therapist to be able to read my mind. But I know this is impossible and unfair to her. For example, I told her the other day that I had written down some thoughts I had after the previous session and I told her I wasn't sure if I should read them to her or not. Her response was “It's up to you.” By her saying it was up to me, I know she was just respecting whichever decision I made and she didn't want to force me to read it if I didn't want to. But for some reason I just assumed she could read my mind so when she replied in a respectfully neutral way, I felt a bit let down and I thought to myself “okay but do you REALLY want to know my thoughts?” In that moment I really wanted HER to WANT me to read them to her. Like I suppose in a validation type of way I wanted to feel as if she really WANTED to know my thoughts and inner experience.. to feel like she really cares and is invested in me and my experience. Obviously I know it's unfair to expect her to have read my mind though...I do this quite often. And I end up feeling frustrated and disappointed and let down. Why do I do this? 24:28 5. How can I learn to manage the shame I feel talking about my 'issues' in therapy? I have CPTSD and I intellectually know shame is a large part of that, but that doesn't stop me feeling overwhelmed by shame having discussed things with my therapist. I go for days thinking that she must be disgusted by me and cannot possibly want me as a client ... and I feel too ashamed to talk about this shame! 31:56 PUBLISHED BOOKS Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati (enjoy 10% off your first month) SOCIAL X https://twitter.com/KatiMorton TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@katimorton Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katimorton Patreon https://www.katimorton.com/kati-morton-patreon/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/katimorton1/ Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/katimorton1/ PARTNERSHIPS Linnea Toney linnea@underscoretalent.com

This week licensed therapist Kati Morton offers her thoughts on using AI chat agents in between therapy sessions, why trauma can be hard to move past, and what it really means to be willing versus just trying. She also talks about wanting friends while being a socially anxious introvert, and why our therapist telling us she cares about us can be triggering. Ask Kati Anything ep. 249 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Audience questions: 1. I'm currently seeing a therapist (cognitive behavioral therapy with a focus on trauma). Since the sessions can be emotionally intense, I've started to use ChatGPT between appointments to help process my thoughts and manage difficult emotions. I had previously tried journaling, but it felt more like a monologue and wasn't as helpful. Using ChatGPT, however, has allowed me to engage in a dialogue, which has been more effective in organizing my thoughts and gaining clarity. When I shared this with my therapist, she expressed concern. She mentioned that using AI in this way might be similar to seeking support from another therapist, which could interfere with the therapeutic process. She also cautioned against the risk of isolation. My question for you: From a psychological perspective, what do you think about using AI as a supplemental tool between therapy sessions? Could it hinder the healing process? If so, what alternatives would you recommend to help navigate emotionally challenging periods between sessions? 00:36 2. I've noticed a lot of talk about repressed trauma on the podcast. I, however, remember everything. I'm currently working through some of this with an EMDR therapist. I'm having some difficulty letting go of these incidents, mainly because I feel like this invalidates them. Also, I feel the need to keep them in my back pocket- so to speak- so as to justify my hurt whenever I need to. My question is- what does it look like to work through trauma, while still recognizing that it was awful? As a separate note- why am I having an extreme physical reaction (shaking, almost convulsing) in the midst of EMDR therapy? 04:51 3. What does it really mean to be willing vs just trying? My therapist says I need to stop trying and start being willing, but I don't understand the difference. In my mind, wanting to get better, going to therapy, and putting in effort is being willing. It sometimes feels like he's suggesting I'm not trying hard enough, which is frustrating. For context, I have CPTSD from significant childhood emotional neglect and abuse, which has continued into adulthood. Thanksgiving was especially traumatic, and I'm working hard to... 10:43 4. I'm a very socially anxious introvert, which causes me to avoid a lot of social situations and interactions. Sometimes I feel lonely and “friendless” but I am very close to my mom and my sister which feels like enough human connection to me. But is that really enough? 6:49 5. How do I stop being mad at my therapist for telling me she cares about me? Every time she tells me she has been worried or that she cares about me I get this voice in my head screaming at me that it's fake and that this relationship is not a real one. I feel like she says this stuff only because it's... 21:50 PUBLISHED BOOKS Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati (enjoy 10% off your first month) SOCIAL YouTube https://www.youtube.com/katimorton X https://twitter.com/KatiMorton TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@katimorton Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katimorton Patreon https://www.katimorton.com/kati-morton-patreon/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/katimorton1/ Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/katimorton1/ PARTNERSHIPS Linnea Toney linnea@underscoretalent.com

This week licensed therapist, Kati Morton discusses how to know if we are doing therapy “right” and why it can feel so unstructured at times. She then dives into why we can want certain people to worry about us, how isolation can help us and also hurt us, and the effects of having a narcissistic mother and being the eldest daughter. Ask Kati Anything ep. 248 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Audience questions: 1. I just started therapy at my university, but whenever I think about what I discussed with my therapist and replay the whole conversation after each session, I always wonder whether I'm doing it right. It just feels kind of messy and I feel like I'm all over the place when talking to my therapist. I have never experienced therapy before and I don't know what it's like, so I really don't know if it's going the way it's supposed to. It also feels like I'm... 00:38 2. Why do I want certain people to worry about me? I always have a person, usually it's only one person at a time, that I get super obsessed with and that I think about 24/7. This is not in a romantic way, it could be but not necessarily. They are all I think about, and I crave their attention a lot, and I also get really jealous when they spend time with other people and I am super sensitive to how they treat me. They can make me feel super happy or really sad. I also want them to worry about me, I think because I ... 08:20 3. Can you please talk about how traumatized ppl use self isolation as a coping mechanism, but that sometimes becomes a negative cornerstone of their personality making connection harder…. Also could you share some tips as to how traumatized individuals can begin updating that personality trait to become engaged and open to the world. 14:07 4. My question contains a lot of context so please bear with me and I'm sorry in advance for the essay. I've been struggling A LOT for the past two years with binge eating, anxiety, depression, and dissociation. After a previous attempt to seek therapy, which didn't go well (because I was 16 and my mom freaked out and was so stigmatized and when I also talked about it to one of my closest friends and my friend suggested that I go to therapy, my mom happened to read at the texts and told me "see, now your friend thinks you're crazy!"), but anyway, I finally took the step to seek therapy as I've turned 18 and started university and I had 2 sessions so far, and it's all started after my prof encouraged me to go down that path and honestly, she is the sweetest person ever and she is the only... 19:45 PUBLISHED BOOKS Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati (enjoy 10% off your first month) SOCIAL X https://twitter.com/KatiMorton TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@katimorton Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katimorton Patreon https://www.katimorton.com/kati-morton-patreon/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/katimorton1/ Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/katimorton1/ PARTNERSHIPS Linnea Toney linnea@underscoretalent.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/askkatianything/support

This week licensed therapist Kati Morton talks about why we can sometimes think we are in love with our therapist, ways we can get unstuck in life, and what to do with our passive suicidal thoughts. She also talks about feeling safe after surviving a trauma, and how to deal with transference and attachment in therapy. Ask Kati Anything ep. 247 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Audience questions: 1. Kati I am in love with my therapist. I know you will probably say that transference is happening but I feel so madly in love with her. Everything about her is perfect and she's the most beautiful person I've ever seen. I feel like no one I'll meet will ever even come close to how amazing she is and how much I feel for her. How do I stop having romantic feelings for my therapist? 00:00:32 2. Could you please talk about how one can get unstuck in life? I feel like I am reliving the same day over and over again, and not growing/evolving anymore. I'm so used to just watching life on the sidelines, like a movie, as opposed to actively participating in it. For reference, I do suffer from depression and I'm on medication for it. Thank you so much for everything that you do! 00:09:28 3. Hi, could you talk a bit more about passive suicidal thoughts. I almost got run over by a truck when crossing the street (he stopped in time at the end). I basically didn't care, no shock, nothing. I just thought „ first of all, embarrassing, second of all this death would have been very welcome, sadly he stopped in time“. I went about my day as usual thinking about how chill I reacted not even caring if I would have died or not. I do have a past when it comes to suicidal thoughts and depression. 00:16:06 4. What does it mean to 'feel safe'? I have CPTSD and am hypervigilant. I get relaxation induced anxiety. I have tried following steps for reducing this but they often ask you to 'visualise somewhere you feel safe' or 'someone you feel safe with'. What does 'feel safe' mean? Is it a feeling in the body, or is it just the absence of overt fear? Or is it just an expression for some concept, like saying something is an 'act of god'? I expect my issue has the same root cause as my inability to feel happy / positive emotions. 00:20:29 5. What happens if transference and extreme attachment is not worked through in therapy and then therapy ends? This has happened for me and I am so overwhelmed by my emotions 24/7. I know how to work on attachment stuff by myself now from your videos but I just don't know how to get closure if that makes sense. I miss her so much and it takes everything in me not to text her. Therapy ended a few months ago and I still miss her like crazy and I am so sad about it. Will that ever get better? Also can you feel “worse” in a way if you don't work through issues (e.g transference) that came up in therapy? 00:24:44 6. In your opinion is this important to get a proper diagnosis? I was in therapy but I've never received a proper diagnosis. In my country only psychiatrists are allowed to diagnose you. I think I have quiet BPD among other mental illnesses and... 00:32:12 #podcast #psychology #katimorton PUBLISHED BOOKS Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati (enjoy 10% off your first month) Youtube https://www.youtube.com/katimorton X https://twitter.com/KatiMorton TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@katimorton Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katimorton Patreon https://www.katimorton.com/kati-morton-patreon/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/katimorton1/ Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/katimorton1/ PARTNERSHIPS Linnea Toney linnea@underscoretalent.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/askkatianything/support