Ask Kati Anything

In this week’s episode we will be talking about coming back from a mental health sabbatical and how to ensure we do it properly without relapsing. We also talk about the relationship between eating disorders and control. Then we dig into the difference between ADHD, Autism, and CPTSD specifically in females, and also how those in the medical and mental health field can deal with triggering situations or patients. We also discuss why we can struggle so much with self compassion and why some of us prefer to switch languages when talking about our struggles. Questions for episode 184 of the Ask Kati Anything podcast 1. Do you have any advice for people getting back into the workforce after a mental health sabbatical? I lost my job as a medical technician late last year due to alcoholism and compassion fatigue. 2. Can you possibly talk about the relationship between eating disorders and control? I guess I’m asking this in regard to the general sentiment that eating disorders are us “controlling what we can.” 3. Kati, can you talk about the difference between ADHD, Autism, and CPTSD in how they might present, specifically in females? 4. I work in the mental health field and action all the incoming referrals however often find them very triggering. I have (stable) bipolar and have self harmed for a long time, anything that mentions self harm really triggers my urges. I feel like such a fraud working in mental health... 5. Can we talk about issues with self compassion…I am currently in a PHP program and have been working on self compassion but I am struggling so much. I cannot help it but so totally hate myself. 6. Is it unhealthy to switch languages in my head to cope? I am not sure that my question is relatable or makes any sense but I do the switch quite often and would love to know your stance. ***NEW MERCH*** ⁠⁠⁠https://spreadshop-admin.spreadshirt.com/katimorton/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My Books (in stores now) ⁠⁠⁠Traumatized⁠⁠⁠ https://geni.us/Bfak0j ⁠⁠⁠Are u ok?⁠⁠⁠ http://bit.ly/2s0mULy Online Therapy - I do not currently offer online therapy. My sponsor BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist, please visit: ⁠⁠⁠https://betterhelp.com/kati⁠⁠ PATREON ⁠⁠https://www.katimorton.com/kati-morton-patreon/⁠⁠Consider shopping with our affiliates, all commissions earned help us create new episodes Instacart ⁠⁠⁠instacart.oloiyb.net/y2j2GB⁠⁠⁠ Amazon ⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/katimorton⁠⁠⁠ Partnerships Linnea Toney linnea@underscoretalent.com Please Read - If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call a local emergency telephone number or go immediately to the nearest emergency room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week licensed therapist Kati Morton dives into negative thought loops and ruminating thoughts. She explains why we can get caught up in them and what we can do to pull ourselves out. She also discusses whether or not we have to dive into the reasons behind our mental health issues to heal, and how to get to a place where we can talk about our past trauma with our therapist. She dives into the ways she knows a patient is dissociating, and how we can have healthy relationships with people who have a mental illness. This and so much more in this week’s episode! Questions for episode 183 of the Ask Kati Anything podcast 1. What makes someone a “complex” case in therapy? Is it a specific diagnosis or cluster of diagnoses? Or is it dependent on how the client presents? 2. My question is about ruminating thoughts and negative thought loops. I constantly find myself in this thought loop in which I’m convinced that I’m lying about my problems to my therapist. I have to then tell myself the facts and use evidence to... 3.Can true long lasting progress be made without talking about the underlying problems that lead to my depression and anxiety? I have been in therapy for a few months now and each week all we discuss which skills or... 4. Do you have any tips for sharing traumatic memories or details (like childhood sexual abuse) with your therapist for the first time? 5. How can you tell if a client is dissociated in session? Like can you see that? And what do you think of the term high functioning anxiety? Can someone with this also dissociate? 6. How do I know whether the way I feel classifies as "depressed" and "anxious" or whether this is just what life feels like for everyone? Maybe living life is just hard, exhausting, and having to fight to get through your days is normal? 7. What's the difference between having social difficulties because of social anxiety and having social difficulties because of ASD and how would I differentiate between just needing to expose myself to social situations and pushing through the anxiety... 8. I wanted to know about how to leave my therapist without her bursting into tears. She has been under a lot of stress lately and has been canceling my appointments. I really need to... 9. How do you maintain friendships with people with mental illness, without it turning into a helping relationship? I have ended friendships simply because it was taking a toll on my mental health as I get texts and calls on... ***NEW MERCH*** ⁠⁠https://spreadshop-admin.spreadshirt.com/katimorton/⁠ ⁠⁠⁠My Books (in stores now) ⁠⁠Traumatized⁠⁠ https://geni.us/Bfak0j ⁠⁠Are u ok?⁠⁠ http://bit.ly/2s0mULy Online Therapy - I do not currently offer online therapy. My sponsor BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist, please visit: ⁠⁠https://betterhelp.com/kati⁠ PATREON ⁠https://www.katimorton.com/kati-morton-patreon/⁠ Consider shopping with our affiliates, all commissions earned help us create new episodes Instacart ⁠⁠instacart.oloiyb.net/y2j2GB⁠⁠ Amazon ⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/katimorton⁠⁠ Partnerships Linnea Toney linnea@underscoretalent.com Please Read - If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call a local emergency telephone number or go immediately to the nearest emergency room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Licensed therapist Kati Morton addresses our issues with self-hate, shame, and why we can believe we are unlovable. She walks listeners through the ways we can overcome those beliefs and heal from it. She then explains more about dissociation and freeze states. She dives into what causes them, how our nervous system decides what to do, and what techniques she uses to ground her patients when they are dissociating. Kati also talks about regressing when triggered and why that happens. This and so much more in this week’s episode of Ask Kati Anything, your mental health podcast. Ask Kati Anything, your mental health podcast episode 182 If you want to support the podcast please check out my affiliate links in the description. If you shop on Amazon, or Instacart please use my links below! Also, BetterHelp offers 10% off your first month when you use my promo code KATI when signing up. Okay, let’s get into today’s questions. 1. Hi Kati, looking for some additional tips to overcome self hate…I have been in counseling for almost 2 months now with anxiety and depression from childhood trauma and neglect. As more and more issues from that start to surface... 2. Is it possible to have full on discussions while dissociating? Sometimes during therapy or other overwhelming situations, I can't remember what was said. Is this dissociation or something else? 3. Could you possibly talk a little bit about age regression, why we may want to and if it can be a healthy coping mechanism? I feel for much of my life I’ve felt this urge, mostly used to self-soothe, but understand that it would be socially unacceptable... 4. I know you have talked extensively about dissociation on here, but what exactly is the difference between dissociation and freezing? Is one harder to manage? Do you intervene differently as a therapist? 5. I wonder if you could talk about how to handle negative thoughts that come up while journaling. So often my journal entries end up filled with anger, frustration, and despair. I hate what comes out and I feel ashamed of writing it. 6. Here’s my question: can flashbacks and dealing with trauma cause regression? Scenario: I’ve been battling a really intense CSA flashback lately. I’ve not had one this persistent or reactive in awhile. I often come out of these flashbacks in a different room... 7. I've always kind of had trouble focusing or keeping my attention on things that I don't really find interesting but lately I feel like it's escalated to a whole new level. I'm diagnosed with depression and anxiety so I know that can be a symptom but I'm finding it really hard to focus on anything, even just scrolling through TikTok...8. What do you do with clients that don't meet the full criteria for any particular diagnosis but have some common symptoms? My therapist says he... 9. I lost my safe person and safe space when I stopped seeing my therapist in May. Even though she made my mental health a lot worse I felt a deep bond with her and I opened up completely to her. Now that I've stopped seeing her I feel so incredibly lost.... *** NEW MERCH DESIGNS *** ⁠https://spreadshop-admin.spreadshirt.com/katimorton/ ⁠My Books (in stores now) ⁠Traumatized⁠ https://geni.us/Bfak0j ⁠Are u ok?⁠ http://bit.ly/2s0mULy Online Therapy I do not currently offer online therapy. My sponsor BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist, please visit: ⁠https://betterhelp.com/kati PATREON https://www.katimorton.com/kati-morton-patreon/ Affiliates (consider shopping with our affiliates, all commissions earned help us create new episodes) Instacart ⁠instacart.oloiyb.net/y2j2GB⁠ Amazon ⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/katimorton⁠ Partnerships Linnea Toney linnea@underscoretalent.com Please Read If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call a local emergency telephone number or go immediately to the nearest emergency room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ask Kati Anything ep. 181 | Your mental health podcast This week licensed therapist Kati Morton explains why therapy sessions can go by so quickly and what we can do to better utilize our time in session. She then digs into the reasons we could feel like we aren’t allowed to take up space. If you frequently apologize for just being somewhere, struggle with confidence, or constantly feel like you’re a burden to others, this episode is for you! New Membership Levels Have Opened Up https://www.youtube.com/@Katimorton/membership *** NEW MERCH DESIGNS *** https://spreadshop-admin.spreadshirt.com/katimorton/ My Books (in stores now) Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? http://bit.ly/2s0mULy Online Therapy I do not currently offer online therapy. My sponsor BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist, please visit: https://betterhelp.com/kati Affiliates (consider shopping with our affiliates, commissions earned help us create new episodes) Instacart instacart.oloiyb.net/y2j2GB Amazon https://www.amazon.com/shop/katimorton Partnerships Linnea Toney linnea@underscoretalent.com Please Read If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call a local emergency telephone number or go immediately to the nearest emergency room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ask Kati Anything ep. 180 | Your mental health podcast This week licensed therapist Kati Morton discusses the long term effects of trauma, and what can happen if we never get treatment for it. She also explains why our mental health symptoms can get worse at night and why we can feel tired when we are depressed. She then shares why touch can be helpful and harmful in therapy and her stance on it. She later talks about why we can sometimes want to feel bad or do certain things for attention. This and so much more in this week’s episode! New Membership Levels Have Opened Up ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Katimorton/membership⁠ *** NEW MERCH DESIGNS *** ⁠https://spreadshop-admin.spreadshirt.com/katimorton/⁠My Books (in stores now) ⁠Traumatized⁠ https://geni.us/Bfak0j ⁠Are u ok?⁠ http://bit.ly/2s0mULy Online Therapy I do not currently offer online therapy. My sponsor BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist, please visit: ⁠https://betterhelp.com/kati⁠ Affiliates (consider shopping with our affiliates, commissions earned help us create new episodes) Instacart ⁠instacart.oloiyb.net/y2j2GB⁠ Amazon ⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/katimorton⁠ Partnerships Linnea Toney linnea@underscoretalent.com Please Read If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call a local emergency telephone number or go immediately to the nearest emergency room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week licensed therapist Kati Morton addresses whether or not our therapist knows when we lie. She also explained why they may call you out on it, and why being honest is important but difficult. She then talks about why therapists are taught to watch body language and notice what their patients do in session or when stressed out. Kati then explores the difference between a body memory and actual physical pain. She also talks about the difference between shock and dissociation and whether or not they can occur at the same time. This and so much more in this week’s episode!Ask Kati Anything ep.179 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Ask Kati Anything ep. 178 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Audience questions: 1. Do therapists know when their clients are lying, or trying to avoid certain topics? If so, what do you do as a therapist? 2. From your perspective as a therapist, how important is it or, or how much do you pay attention to your clients’ body language during session? I tend to get very anxious and unconsciously begin to fidget or... 3. How do I know if a certain pain is "just" pain or if it is a body memory? What exactly is a body memory when you don't remember anything else and don't have other memories that could explain where it is from? 4. Have you ever had a client who was deaf?!? If they needed an interpreter would the interpreter sign a confidentiality agreement not to disclose any information?!? Have you ever treated someone who was deaf? 5. How does menopause affect your mental health and do you have any tips for how to best deal with all of the changes, physically and emotionally. 6. I am a 54 year old woman diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and ADD. I just recently dislocated my finger, and my question is what is the difference between shock and dissociation? Can you be in shock and dissociate at the same time? 7. Years ago my dad got a new girlfriend after he got separated from my mum. I didn’t have any problem with her other than I didn’t like the fact that she was not my mum. I thought she was actually really nice, but after they got another daughter she started complaining when I... 8. Why do I find it so hard to apologize? For example, when my husband points out a wrong behavior of mine, even if I know he is right, I counter accuse him of something or I get to thinking of everything he has done in the past that hurted me... TIMESTAMPS from  @Lemonady  :) Q1 - 0:25 Q2 - 16:20 Q3 - 33:00 Q4 - 50:30 Q5 - 55:34 Q6 - 1:03:37 Q7 - 1:09:33 Q8 - 1:14:03 KATI'S BOOKS (in stores now) Traumatized   https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok?    http://bit.ly/2s0mULy ...MORE YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@katimorton  & https://www.youtube.com/@OTDM Amazon Suggestions https://www.amazon.com/shop/katimorton Online Therapy  I do not currently offer online therapy.  My sponsor BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online counselor, please visit: https://betterhelp.com/kati Patreon https://www.katimorton.com/kati-morton-patreon/ Business Contact   Linnea Toney  linnea@underscoretalent.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week licensed therapist Kati Morton explains what body memories are, if pain can be related to trauma, and what the difference is between a flashback and an intrusive thought. She also explains why we may need to stay on medication for a long period of time, and why we may not notice when we are depressed. She also talks about what we can do if we are struggling to stay present in therapy and talk about the hard stuff, and what we can do to heal from codependency. This and so much more in this week’s episode. Ask Kati Anything ep. 178 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Audience questions: 1. I've heard people say that someone can be unhappy or depressed without realizing it and I've seen it happen. I was wondering if that could happen in the reverse? 2. In one of your videos you mentioned that medication should not be needed forever. How do I know it’s time for me to get off my meds? 3. I’m currently in therapy to process trauma with my ex. My ex was physically, emotionally and sexually abusive, the latter of which has been even more difficult to grapple with due to my faith and perspective on sex... 4. I wondered what your thoughts were on gut feelings about people? I usually get a gut feeling about someone pretty much instantly on meeting them whether they are inherently “good or bad” 5. How do you heal from codependency? 6. I recently started seeing a therapist and I'm starting to develop a crush on him. Is this normal? Should I say something about it? 7. Hi kati, I was just wondering if it's possible to have ptsd from a home invasion/ break in? I talk with my therapist about this but she never says you can have ptsd from it, but when I told her that anytime I hear things that sound like they did that morning it freaks me out and makes me feel like it’s happening again she tells me I’m having a flashback. New Membership Levels Have Opened Up ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Katimorton/membership⁠ *** NEW MERCH DESIGNS *** ⁠https://spreadshop-admin.spreadshirt.com/katimorton/⁠ My Books (in stores now) ⁠Traumatized⁠ https://geni.us/Bfak0j ⁠Are u ok?⁠ http://bit.ly/2s0mULy Online Therapy I do not currently offer online therapy. My sponsor BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist, please visit: ⁠https://betterhelp.com/kati⁠ Affiliates (consider shopping with our affiliates, commissions earned help us create new episodes) Instacart ⁠instacart.oloiyb.net/y2j2GB⁠ Amazon ⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/katimorton⁠ Partnerships Linnea Toney linnea@underscoretalent.com Please Read If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call a local emergency telephone number or go immediately to the nearest emergency room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week licensed therapist Kati Morton discusses the many reasons we can feel like we are lying when disclosing past trauma in therapy. She explains why our trauma memories aren’t always there or easy to recall, and the reasons we invalidate, and minimize our experiences. She then digs into how to move past being abandoned by your therapist, as well as how to know when you should stop therapy. Kati then talks about what we should focus on first when starting therapy with a limited number of sessions. This and so much more in this week’s episode. Ask Kati Anything ep. 177 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Audience questions: 1. Why do I feel like I’m lying when thinking about opening up about past trauma? I really want to open up to my therapist about a past memory of me being SA’d by my brother but the problem is I didn’t have that memory until I was SA’d again some years later by someone else... 2. I've been with my therapist for over 2 yrs and despite her being very consistent, reliable and reassuring, I can't move past the feeling that some day she's going to say she's not going to see me anymore. It's not so much a fear of her leaving me but... 3. If you have a limited number of sessions available to you, how can you decide what issues take priority? My university only offers 6 free sessions to students and I don't have the money to pay for therapy, but I have a lot to work on... 4. Can you talk about how to know when to stop therapy? It's been about a year and a half and each week it is always very helpful. I started during a very low, hard, isolated season but am now in a healthier environment now with more... 5. Is healing from SA the same process no matter when it happened (childhood vs adulthood) ? This happened to me as an adult from my partner and I have recurrent nightmares and flashbacks and a lot of shame. I see a lot of information about healing from childhood... 6. Is it possible that all of my struggles and diagnosed conditions, OCD, ADHD and Autism, are in fact just behaviors caused by childhood trauma?... 7. How do you deal with not being open up due to having trust issues? I have been seeing my therapist for a while now and still haven't woken up. She suggested seeing a new therapist, but I had a therapist before her and it was the same... KATI'S BOOKS (in stores now) Traumatized   https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok?    http://bit.ly/2s0mULy ...MORE YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@katimorton  & https://www.youtube.com/@OTDM Amazon Suggestions https://www.amazon.com/shop/katimorton Online Therapy  I do not currently offer online therapy.  My sponsor BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online counselor, please visit: https://betterhelp.com/kati Patreon https://www.katimorton.com/kati-morton-patreon/ Business Contact   Linnea Toney  linnea@underscoretalent.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Kati dives deep into how to come to terms with not having any memory of a childhood trauma. She explains why this can happen, and what we can do to heal anyways. She also offers some ideas on how to deal with a parent who has a mental illness, what to do if we can’t actually talk in therapy, and how to stop thinking we are a burden to those around us. She then talks about the stigma associated with mental illness and sexual kinks as well as how to stop feeling like we are behind in life because of our illnesses. This and so much more in this week’s episode! I'm Kati Morton, a licensed therapist making Mental Health videos! Audience Questions: 1. How do I come to terms with never actually knowing if I was sexually abused? I seem to have all the signs (extremely scared of sex, body memories, don’t like being touched, hypervigilance, etc) but I have no solid memory of an actual incident. 2. How do you handle parents with mental illness? I struggle a lot with my mom being so emotional and irrational. Her mood swings like a rollercoaster and it is really uncomfortable being around her. She has so many bpd traits although being undiagnosed. 3. I am 16. Is it bad that in therapy, I can't talk about anything? I have to write it down and hand it to him? Also my mom wants to talk to me about things but I can't because she shares it with my dad... 4. I know suicide is never the answer, but what if I genuinely am a burden and would be doing everyone a favor? 5. How would someone best deal with mental health problems brought on from kink shaming / fetish stigma? Shaming or ridiculing someone for their kinks is unfortunately common and socially accepted, but there's no information on how it can negatively affect someone's mental health, and if so how someone would deal with this. 6. How do I cope with the feeling of falling behind others because of my illnesses? Trauma, Ptsd and physical pain illnesses have been taken so much from me, especially... 7. I was just curious about how your role as a therapist relates to your family. Does your husband or do other family members ever say or do things that are red flags to you as a therapist? KATI'S BOOKS (in stores now) Traumatized   https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok?    http://bit.ly/2s0mULy ...MORE YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@katimorton    https://www.youtube.com/@OTDM Amazon Suggestions https://www.amazon.com/shop/katimorton Online Therapy  I do not currently offer online therapy.  My sponsor BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online counselor, please visit: https://betterhelp.com/kati Patreon https://www.katimorton.com/kati-morton-patreon/ Business Contact   Linnea Toney  linnea@underscoretalent.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week licensed therapist Kati Morton talks about the reasons we can be scared to get better, and why having our mental illness be part of our identity is detrimental to our recovery. She also addresses the reasons we should change therapists, how termination should be handled, and what to do if therapy is making us worse. Kati then digs into how to stop comparing ourselves to others, why it’s okay to be behind other people in life, and when she would suggest a higher level of care. Ask Kati Anything ep.175 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Audience questions: Q1 0:38 I’m terrified of getting better. I’m suffering from gad, social anxiety, depression and self harm. I think the reason I’m afraid of healing is related to why I’m hurting myself... Q2 15:53 I recently terminated with my therapist after two years. I felt that I wasn't making any progress towards my goals and when I asked for feedback (which she has never offered), she responded, "I can't work harder than you are." Q3 30:58 I feel incredibly lonely and behind in life. Every birthday and new year reminds me of that. I struggle so much with birthdays due to having struggled with my mental health for so long... Q4 37:50 How do I get myself to actually try coping mechanisms? I have a list but because they don't always help or I have this magical idea that they will make everything better... Q5 41:26 My question is about when you as a therapist would suggest a higher level of care for a patient with an eating disorder, specifically over exercise as a form of compensatory behavior. Q6 57:55 I have a question about emdr. I'm finally starting in august (yay!) but I'm so scared of actually, really facing my trauma head on in therapy. I don't even know how I will tell/write my therapist... Q7 1:11:03 What if I don’t see a reason to stop self harm this time? Context: I began SH when I was 8. It wasn’t my “go to” coping skill....Q8 1:15:49 Why in therapy do you not want a religious counselor? Have you been harmed by church people or is it a personal decision? I recently went through some personal church trauma... KATI'S BOOKS (in stores now) Traumatized   https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok?    http://bit.ly/2s0mULy ...MORE YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@katimorton  & https://www.youtube.com/@OTDM Amazon Suggestions https://www.amazon.com/shop/katimorton Online Therapy  I do not currently offer online therapy.  My sponsor BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online counselor, please visit: https://betterhelp.com/kati Patreon https://www.katimorton.com/kati-morton-patreon/ Business Contact   Linnea Toney  linnea@underscoretalent.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices