
You Need Therapy
Kathryn DeFatta, who has earned her Masters of Education from Vanderbilt University in Human Development Counseling, is inviting you into conversations around what it’s like to live fully in a world where we’ve become accustomed to shut parts of ourselves off. Here you will find a space that welcomes in discomfort, tough questions, and hard truths, all while showing how to find joy through it all.
Latest episodes

Oct 2, 2023 • 20min
The 3 Elements of Self Compassion
Kristen NEFF Ph.D., researcher and self compassion expert, breaks down the three elements of self compassion. Learn about the role of self-compassion in embracing failure, recognizing common humanity, and cultivating mindfulness. Discover how self-compassion can nurture a healthier relationship with yourself and others.

Sep 27, 2023 • 14min
Couch Talks: My Relationship Doesn't Fit Societal Norms
In this episode, Kat discusses the importance of audience support and handling negative comments about age gap in relationships. The podcast challenges societal norms in relationships, encouraging individuals to embrace individualized relationships that align with their personal needs.

Sep 25, 2023 • 44min
Fake Science AND Joe Dispenza
This week Kat takes a DEEP dive into the ever popular meditation and “health” guru, Joe Dispenza. In this episode, Kat talks about what separates real science from pseudoscience (fake science that tries to pass as science). The tricky part is, pseudoscience mimics real science by co-opting their terms and using them in a way that sets you up to want to believe it’s true. Here we will discuss how we can keep an eye out for the red flags that scream “SCAM”. And what does Joe Dispenza have to do with all of this? You’ll just have to listen to find out. 😉 Articles: Drawing the line between science and pseudo-science Eat, Pray, Lie: Hollistic Wellness Scams in the Age of Social Media From workplaces to politics to Instagram influencers, "cultish" language is everywhere The Rise is Fake Science What is Pseudoscience Follow Kat on Instagram: @Kat.Defatta Follow the podcast Instagram: @YouNeedTherapyPodcast Have a question, concern, guest idea, something else? Reach Kat at: Kathryn@youneedtherapypodcast.com Heard about Three Cords Therapy but don’t know what it is? Click here! Produced by: @HoustonTilleySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 20, 2023 • 13min
Couch Talks: I Can't Find a Counseling Internship
Couch Talks is the bonus episode of You Need Therapy where Kat answers questions listens send to kathryn@youneedtherapypodcast.com. This week, Kat gives a tiny Harry Potter journey update, gives a sneak into a highly anticipated episode she is working on, and gives feedback to a counseling student who can’t seem to land an internship. Follow Kat on Instagram: @Kat.Defatta Follow the podcast Instagram: @YouNeedTherapyPodcast Have a question, concern, guest idea, something else? Reach Kat at: Kathryn@youneedtherapypodcast.com Heard about Three Cords Therapy but don’t know what it is? Click here! Produced by: @HoustonTilleySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 18, 2023 • 36min
I'm Going to Therapy for the First Time! With Josie Oldham and Julia Langer
Who remembers their first time? This week, Kat, Josie, and Julia reminisce on the first time they ever went to therapy. And surprise! All of their experiences were a little bit different. Kat refused to speak in her session, Julia's may have told her therapist what she didn't like about her, and Josie was wishing her therapist was "cooler". Kat wanted to have a conversation that talked about what it is like to go to therapy for the first time and what you may experience yourself because doing new things can be super intimidating. While we can't tell you exactly what it will be like- we can give you three perspectives from three different therapists. In this episode we answer listener questions including: What happens if I don't know what to talk about in session? How many sessions will it take to know if your therapist is the right fit? What kind of questions does a therapist ask during the first session? As a therapist, how do you prepare for a new client and what are some ways you try to ease the discomfort of a first timer? How do you get over the fear of embarrassment knowing you will cry the whole time? AND MORE! Follow Kat on Instagram: @Kat.Defatta Follow the podcast Instagram: @YouNeedTherapyPodcast Have a question, concern, guest idea, something else? Reach Kat at: Kathryn@youneedtherapypodcast.com Heard about Three Cords Therapy but don’t know what it is? Click here! Produced by: @HoustonTilleySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 13, 2023 • 16min
Couch Talks: Asking the Question You're Afraid to Ask with Julia Langner
Couch Talks is the bonus episode of You Need Therapy where Kat answers questions that listeners send to kathryn@youneedtherapypodcast.com. This week Kat is doing something a little different because September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Death by suicide has increased by 36% between 2001and 2021 and is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 20-34 in the United States. Kat brings Julia Langner (@theselfcompassioncounselor) on the podcast this week to talk about a recent instagram post she made that addressed one of the biggest misconceptions of suicide: That talking about it increases the likelihood of it happening. It is surprisingly the opposite! Listen to this episode to hear some tips about how you can start these conversations and more about why they are so crucial to have within our communities right now! Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 Follow Kat on Instagram: @Kat.Defatta Follow the podcast Instagram: @YouNeedTherapyPodcast Have a question, concern, guest idea, something else? Reach Kat at: Kathryn@youneedtherapypodcast.com Heard about Three Cords Therapy but don’t know what it is? Click here! Produced by: @HoustonTilleySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 11, 2023 • 1h
Diet Culture Lives in the Safe Places with Leslie Schilling
This week, licensed dietitian, Leslie Schilling, joins Kat on the podcast to talk about the sneaky ways Diet Culture infiltrates our most sacred and safest places (think school and even our places of worship!!!). Leslie Schilling is a Master’s level registered dietitian who specializes in disordered eating, sports nutrition, family nutrition, and weight concerns. She is a wealth of knowledge and you are going to have your mind BLOWN when you hear about some of the myths she is busting in her brand new book, Feed Yourself. In Feed Yourself, Leslie shares her expertise with the masses, guiding readers as they uncover the lies we’ve been told about our bodies. We are so grateful for people like Leslie who continue to fight the uphill battle in order to help those who get caught in the webs of disordered eating + eating disorders. There is hope and this episode is a great place to start. Order Feed Yourself Follow Leslie on Instagram Learn more about Leslie HERE Follow Kat on Instagram: @Kat.Defatta Follow the podcast Instagram: @YouNeedTherapyPodcast Have a question, concern, guest idea, something else? Reach Kat at: Kathryn@youneedtherapypodcast.com Heard about Three Cords Therapy but don’t know what it is? Click here! Produced by: @HoustonTilleySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 6, 2023 • 15min
Couch Talks: The Science Behind a PSL
Couch Talks is the special bonus episode of You Need Therapy where Kat answers questions that listeners send to kathryn@youneedtherapypodcast.com. This week Kat brings you the science behind why Pumpkin Spice Lattes are alllll the rage during the fall. What makes people want this $7+ coffee drink so bad?? Listen this week to find out! Follow Kat on Instagram: @Kat.Defatta Follow the podcast Instagram: @YouNeedTherapyPodcast Have a question, concern, guest idea, something else? Reach Kat at: Kathryn@youneedtherapyodcast.com Heard about Three Cords Therapy but don’t know what it is? Click here! Produced by: @HoustonTilleySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 4, 2023 • 36min
The Karpman (Drama) Triangle
This week, Kat is breaking down The Karpman Triangle, also known as the Drama Triangle. The Karpman Triangle, developed by Stephan Karpman, is a way to explain a very common pattern of dysfunctional relationship dynamics that includes three roles: persecutor, rescuer, and victim. This dynamic describes how people who were taught that it was unsafe to directly ask for what they needed to operate in order to still get their needs in some way. In this episode you will learn about the roles and how they play out and also find out how to get out of the cyclical pattern that playing these roles creates. Follow Kat on Instagram: @Kat.Defatta Follow the podcast Instagram: @YouNeedTherapyPodcast Have a question, concern, guest idea, something else? Reach Kat at: Kathryn@youneedtherapyodcast.com Heard about Three Cords Therapy but don’t know what it is? Click here! Produced by: @HoustonTilleySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 30, 2023 • 10min
Couch Talks: Doing What Feels Right Vs. People Pleasing
Kat discusses the challenge of doing what feels right versus people pleasing. She provides advice on navigating a complicated friendship situation. The importance of staying true to oneself and making personal choices is emphasized. Balancing personal beliefs and the desire to please others is explored.