Ask Kati Anything

Have you ever felt ashamed in therapy because your behaviors aren't changing fast enough? In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton answers 8 listener questions on eating disorders, therapy, intimacy, ego death, depression, and mental health recovery.

Topics covered include eating disorder recovery, higher levels of care (IOP and PHP), what therapists notice about body language and appearance, caregiver burnout, intimacy struggles after trauma, ego death and psychedelics, DASS questionnaires, and returning depression after remission.

This Week's Sponsors:

MY BOOKS

Why Do I Keep Doing This?

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

Disclaimer

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What happens when the life you built online suddenly crashes? In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, I’m joined by "Creators 4 Mental Health" founder Shira Lazar to pull back the curtain on the dark side of the creator economy. Shira opens up about a personal story and feeling like a failure which triggered a decade-long journey of rebuilding her self-worth from the ground up. We discuss the "silent crisis" facing content creators today, including shocking new research that reveals why so many are spiraling behind the scenes. Whether you are struggling with a "public failure" of your own or trying to stop tying your value to external validation, this conversation offers a roadmap for turning your darkest moments into a catalyst for change.

Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offers:

Episode Timestamps:

Learn more about the Creators 4 Mental Health

https://www.creators4mentalhealth.com/

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 | [email protected]

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 it freeze or dissociation? Autism or OCD? Can childhood trauma cause physical symptoms doctors can't explain?

In this episode, I answer the questions that keep my community up at night—from understanding confusing trauma responses to the body-trauma connection, overlapping diagnoses, medication decisions, and whether psychedelic therapy actually works for CPTSD.

If you've ever felt misunderstood by your own nervous system, gaslit by medical tests that come back "normal," or exhausted by flashbacks that won't quit—this episode offers validation and clarity.

SPONSORS

TOPICS COVERED

00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:06 - Freeze vs. Dissociation: What's the Difference? 00:09:44 - When Should You Taper Off Medication? 00:16:13 - Navigating Relationships with Insecure Attachment 00:21:47 - Is It Autism or OCD? Understanding Overlapping Symptoms 00:32:43 - Can Trauma Cause Physical Symptoms? 00:40:33 - How Does Talking About Trauma Help CPTSD? 00:45:16 - Psychedelic Therapy: Psilocybin vs. Ketamine 00:56:18 - Dealing with Flashback Exhaustion 01:02:08 - Managing Chronic Flashbacks

Kati Morton, LMFT | Licensed therapist, author, and mental health educator

MY BOOKS

ONLINE THERAPY

BetterHelp connects you with licensed therapists online: https://betterhelp.com/kati

Ask Kati Anything | Your mental health podcast

Disclaimer: Educational content only, not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personal concerns.

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Why is "kindness" often dismissed as a soft skill when it’s actually a life-saving tool for resilience? In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, licensed therapist Kati Morton is joined by Andra Liemandt, the founder and CEO of The Kindness Campaign.

Andra shares the powerful, heartbreaking story of how a tragic loss in her community became the catalyst for a national movement that reached over 250,000 students last year alone. We explore the science of emotional literacy, the transformative power of "Mirror Work," and practical strategies for parents to help their children feel seen, heard, and understood.

Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offers:

• Hungryroot - Get 40% off your first box plus a free item in every box for life at ⁠https://www.hungryroot.com/kati with code KATI

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro: Advancing emotional literacy with Andra Liemandt.

02:59 – The tragedy that started The Kindness Campaign.

06:17 – Enoughie Buddy: Helping kids find their words.

14:44 – "See to the other side": Finding light in dark times.

18:11 – Morning Pages vs. Venting: Clearing the brain.

24:18 – How the Magic Mirror builds self-worth.

31:23 – The power of "Mirror Work" and receiving kindness.

38:14 – Secure attachment: The trapeze net of parenting.

45:00 – Kind Leadership: Preparing high schoolers for the real world.

57:11 – The Science of Kindness: From soft skill to survival.

01:02:42 – Superpowers: Identifying your communication style.

01:08:18 – Self-care toolkits: Gratitude, Grounding, and Green.

01:21:19 – "Playing it out": A CBT tool for big decisions

If you’re enjoying these conversations, please take a moment to Follow the show. It’s the easiest way to make sure you never miss an episode.

If this episode on kindness and self-worth resonated with you, leaving a review would mean the world to us. Your ratings help more people discover these tools and join our community.

MY BOOKS

Why Do I Keep Doing This? 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 | [email protected]

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.

Ask Kati Anything ep. 305 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT

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Why do we cling to the behaviors that hurt us most? In this episode, Kati Morton, LMFT, dives into the physiological and emotional complexities of eating disorder recovery, trauma responses, and the "why" behind our most difficult survival mechanisms.

We explore the "safety" found in cycles like bulimia or anorexia when living in neglectful environments, and Kati provides actionable tools for those navigating C-PTSD, DID, and intimacy after divorce.

The "Freeze" Response: Understanding "bed-locking" and C-PTSD.

Complicated Grief: Why you might feel numb when an abuser passes away.

The Feelings Wheel: Practical tools for naming emotions when you feel disconnected.

Dissociation & DID: Managing treatment while living in an unsafe home.

Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offers:

Get 15% off OneSkin with the code KATI oneskin.co/KATI

Zocdoc: find and book top-rated doctors, therapists, or mental health providers near you in minutes zocdoc.com/kati

Remi: protect your teeth from grinding with a custom-fit night guard. Go to shopremi.com/KATI and use code KATI at checkout for 50% off

Hers: visit forhers.com/kati to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you

00:00 – Intro: Mind-body responses

00:43 – ED cycles in abusive homes & Mandated Reporting

07:02 – Grieving an abuser: Understanding emotional numbness

12:41 – Why we "enjoy" or miss our eating disorders

25:01 – Tools for naming emotions (The Feelings Wheel)

32:27 – Navigating DID treatment in unsafe environments

39:09 – Is "bed-locking" a normal C-PTSD response?

47:09 – Shame and intimacy after divorce

53:03 – When your therapist challenges your recovery

YouTube: youtube.com/@Katimorton

Books: Why Do I Keep Doing This?, Traumatized, and Are u ok?

Online Therapy: Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/kati

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. Please consult with a qualified professional for diagnosis and treatment.

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Eating disorder shapeshifting explained, therapy dissociation tips, no contact with adult child response, self-acceptance after weight gain, feeling unseen or outcast, skin picking dermatillomania, broken UK NHS mental health system, social anxiety in sessions, neurodivergent experiences, body image struggles, anxiety after injury, DSM vs ICD-11 differences, parasocial relationships advice. Licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton answers your real questions in this Ask Kati Anything episode—get expert insights on coping, recovery, and feeling seen.

Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offers:

• Hero Bread is offering 10% off your order. Go to https://www.hero.co/ and use code KATI at checkout

• Hers - visit https://www.forhers.com/kati for personalized, affordable weight loss plans with licensed medical support

• Zocdoc - find and book top-rated doctors, therapists, or mental health providers near you in minutes. Go to https://www.zocdoc.com/kati

Audience questions:

0:47 - Q1: Mind goes blank when therapist asks 'what do you need?' (social anxiety, dissociation)

6:16 - Q2: Why eating disorders shapeshift from restricting to bingeing (neurodivergent impact)

15:17 - Add-on: Self-acceptance vs weight loss first mindset in ED recovery (body image fears)

21:03 - Q3: Anxiety, depression after injury and loss of independence (positive mindset tips)

29:05 - Q4: Key differences between DSM and ICD-11 for diagnosing mental illnesses

34:05 - Q5: Feeling like an outcast or invisible - how to build inclusion and connections

43:20 - Q6: Dermatillomania (skin picking) - causes, tips, and tricks to stop

47:35 - Q7: Navigating broken mental health systems and feeling unhelpable

54:21 - Q8: Best response when an adult child goes no contact (with compassion and respect)

1:01:04 - Q9: Navigating parasocial relationships with content creators and celebrities

MY BOOKS

Why Do I Keep Doing This? 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 | [email protected]

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.

Ask Kati Anything ep. 303 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you are struggling with depression, addiction, or seeking motivation, Justin’s story is a roadmap for anyone feeling lost in the dark. "I was the youngest heavyweight in the country, and I was losing the only fight that mattered." In this powerful episode Kati speaks with Justin Wren for a raw conversation on mental health, resilience, and the recovery journey. Justin pulls back the curtain on a life of extreme highs and devastating lows, from the "merciless" bullying he faced as a child in Texas to the secret OxyContin addiction that haunted his professional MMA career. We dive deep into the "living nightmare" of substance abuse, where Justin managed a massive intake of pills while fighting on the world’s biggest stage. He shares the heartbreaking moment he hit rock bottom after missing his best friend's wedding and the moment in Tulum that gave him a second chance at life. Justin also discusses his work with Fight for the Forgotten, his nonprofit dedicated to providing clean water and land rights to the Mbuti Pygmy people in Uganda and Eastern Congo. He shares the beautiful, life-altering lessons he learned about community, grief, and Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) that helped him find true healing.

Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offer:

• Function Health - visit www.functionhealth.com/KATI and use gift code KATI25 for a $25 credit toward your membership

• Warby Parker - our listeners get 15% + Free Shipping when they buy 2 or more pairs of prescription glasses at https://www.warbyparker.com/KATI

• Care.com - for a limited time, go to https://www.care.com and use code KATI for 20% off your initial subscription or a Senior Care Advisor Plan

• Remi - protect your teeth with Remi by using code KATI to get 50% off your new night guard at https://shopremi.com/KATI

In this episode:

00:00 – Meet guest Justin Wren

01:41 – The "merciless" bullying Justin faced in grade school

08:34 – Moving schools and finding mentorship through Olympic wrestling coaches

13:54 – Discovering the UFC

18:18 – Learning to "swim in the deep end" by wrestling 200 matches a year

18:49 – Finding purpose by speaking in over 100 correctional facilities

26:54 – The freak injury that led to a massive opioid addiction

33:07 – Rock bottom: "I can't believe you missed my wedding."

34:10 – The attempt to end it all in Tulum and the miracle survival

44:48 – Understanding Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) with Dr. Daniel Amen

49:32 – The cycle of "dry drunk" vs. real recovery

53:51 – Fight for the Forgotten: Deep work on land rights and sustainable water

01:04:13 – Explaining depression to a culture that has no word for "suicide."

01:17:08 – The Statue of Responsibility and giving a "hand up," not a "handout."

JUSTIN WREN

https://www.fightfortheforgotten.org/

Ask Kati Anything ep. 302 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT

MY BOOKS

Why Do I Keep Doing This? 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 | [email protected]

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 of Ask Kati Anything, licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton addresses eight deeply personal mental health questions from the community. From navigating chronic suicidal ideation to coping with hearing voices while trying to study, Kati provides clinical insight with compassion and practical guidance.

Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offer:

• Get 15% off OneSkin with the code KATI at https://www.oneskin.co/KATI

• Hero Bread is offering 10% off your order. Go to https://www.hero.co/ and use code KATI at checkout.

• Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://www.zocdoc.com/KATI to find and instantly book a doctor you love today.

TOPICS COVERED

0:00 - Introduction

1:19 - Living with chronic suicidal ideation and finding hope when treatments haven't worked

7:04 - Distinguishing between personality and mental health symptoms (especially when medication changes)

18:30 - Grieving a version of yourself you never got to know

27:15 - Eating disorder relapse and navigating inadequate care systems

35:42 - What to say when therapy isn't the right fit

42:08 - How clinicians approach weight changes and honesty in eating disorder treatment

47:51 - Shame, self-doubt, and dissociative identity disorder (DID)

52:36 - Coping with hearing voices while studying in college

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulation)

• Ketamine treatment

• ECT (Electroconvulsive therapy)

• EMDR therapy

• DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)

CRISIS RESOURCES

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

• International resources: http://findahelpline.com

CONNECT

Subscribe for weekly mental health Q&As and don't forget to leave a review to help others find this podcast.

Ask Kati Anything ep. 301 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT

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 | [email protected]

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 of Ask Kati Anything, Kati is joined by Jen Birn, editor of Austin Lifestyle magazine. Jen has built a life on her own terms, parlaying her high-octane success in the celebrity journalism scenes of New York and Los Angeles into a career that is currently transforming the landscape of Austin.

Jen’s path was built on pure grit and "fake it 'til you make it" scrappiness. From waitressing in a music bar where she convinced the Gin Blossoms to give her an interview that launched her career, to navigating family crisis, Jen has faced the kind of relatable struggles that define a survivalist spirit.

Along the way she shares stories from a career spent crossing paths with figures like Richard Branson, Johnny Depp & David Arquette, transitioning from the 24/7 hustle to finding balance, biohacking for longevity, and reclaiming your time. Jen Birn is an inspiration who proves that success isn't about having a perfect start—it's about the resilience to keep chasing the sunset until you find home.

Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offers:

• Remi - Go to www.shopremi.com/KATI and use code KATI at checkout for 50% off your Custom Night Guards

• Function Health - Get a $25 credit toward your membership at www.functionhealth.com/kati with gift code KATI25

MORE JEN

Chasing Sunsets Down I-80 https://amzn.to/3LHpVgU

https://citylifestyle.com/austin/issues

MY BOOKS

Why Do I Keep Doing This? 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 | [email protected]

Ask Kati Anything ep. 298 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if your best days haven't even happened yet? In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, I’m joined by the incredible Amy Edwards—CEO, author, and host of The Amy Edwards Show. At 53, Amy is the happiest she’s ever been, but getting here required walking through some of life’s darkest valleys.

We dive deep into the messy, complicated, and ultimately beautiful process of transformation. Amy opens up about the stigma of being twice-divorced, the "blackout" period of losing her voice during a legal battle, and her unconventional journey through psychedelic healing and sobriety.

Whether you are struggling with a "failed" relationship, feeling stuck in a cycle of rumination, or wondering if it's too late to start over, this conversation is a reminder that you don't need anything outside of yourself to access hope.

Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offer:

Feel like your best self again, visit https://www.forhers.com/KATI to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you!

Chapters

00:00 – Meet Amy Edwards

03:04 – Becoming the "Matriarchs" after losing parents

04:29 – Religious differences and choosing love over judgment

09:35 – The reality of divorce at 25 vs. later in life

13:57 – A perfect storm: Pregnancy, losing a mother, and a broken leg

17:46 – The "Rebound Marriage" and learning to stand up for yourself

21:14 – Why "Staying for the Kids" can be the real failure

26:42 – Modeling resilience: Showing children that women can do anything

30:12 – Mental health tools: The "Don't Drink the Drano Today" logic

36:32 – Psychedelics and Ego Death: Rewiring the brain

40:32 – Ketamine therapy and clearing the "ruminating sand"

43:10 – The road to sobriety and finding a growth-mindset partner

54:19 – The "Table" Metaphor: Breaking the cycle of transactional love

01:03:16 – Losing your voice: When the body forces you to slow down

01:07:37 – Radical Self-Love: doing mirror work

01:15:45 – Your best days haven't happened yet

MORE AMY

https://www.youtube.com/@TheAmyEdwardsShow The Trouble with Becoming a Witch: A Novel by Amy Edwards https://amzn.to/4ahkoFU

https://www.instagram.com/realamyedwards/

MY BOOKS

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 | [email protected]

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.

Ask Kati Anything ep. 300 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices