Épisodes

  • Living with a Narcissistic Mother? Reclaim Your Identity

    Living with a Narcissistic Mother? Reclaim Your Identity
    Apr 16 2026
    Struggling with treatment-resistant depression or trying to recover from narcissistic parents and a lost sense of identity? In this episode, Katie Morton, LMFT, explores advanced mental health treatments and provides a roadmap for healing from complicated family dynamics. Whether you are dealing with "sticky memories," navigating a schizoaffective disorder diagnosis, or looking for ways to manage the physical toll of trauma on your gut, this deep dive offers practical tools to help you reclaim your life. We also discuss the power of boundaries and the vital role sleep plays in regulating anxiety. Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offers: • Magnesium promotes relaxation and more restful sleep - visit https://bioptimizers.com/kati for 15% off any order • Care.com: Get 20% off a subscription or a senior care advisor plan at https://www.care.com/ using code KATI Chapters 00:00:49 – Q1: Creating Perspective in Severe Depression A viewer struggling with autism and treatment-resistant depression asks how to find small moments to live for when every task feels like "climbing Mount Everest." 00:14:17 – Q2: Recovering Identity from Narcissistic Parents A child of divorce seeks advice on building a sense of self after growing up with a narcissistic mother and an emotionally unavailable father. 00:20:50 – Q2 Follow-up: Healing the "Parental Wound" Addressing a comment on parental isolation, Katie discusses inner child work and letting go of the idealized version of a parent. 00:26:12 – Q3: Understanding "Sticky Memories" A viewer asks if they are "mixing memories" regarding childhood abuse or if their brain is signaling something real that needs processing. 00:29:24 – Q4: What is Projective Identification? How to stop taking on other people’s intense emotions and use "inward boundaries" to protect your own mental space. 00:35:24 – Q5: Navigating a Schizoaffective Diagnosis Katie breaks down the DSM criteria for schizoaffective disorder, explaining the intersection of mood disorders and psychosis. 00:40:38 – Q6: The Connection Between Trauma and the Gut An exploration of the "gut-brain axis" and how chronic stress and high cortisol can lead to physical abdominal issues. 00:45:11 – Q7: Why Sleep is Essential for Anxiety Relief A discussion on how sleep "cleans" the brain and provides the emotional regulation needed to weather life's storms. SchizoKitzo (tiktoker mentioned in episode) https://www.tiktok.com/@schizokitzo?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Ask Kati Anything ep. 310 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT 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 | 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. #podcast #psychology #katimorton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 min
  • How do I stop being so resentful?

    How do I stop being so resentful?
    Apr 9 2026
    If you feel like your therapist is speaking a foreign language when they talk about "stability" or "trust," this video is for you. We break down the specific requirements for starting trauma-focused work like EMDR and why your brain might be "pulling the ripcord" through dissociation. Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offers: • Zocdoc: Find and book top-rated doctors, therapists, or mental health providers near you in minutes https://www.zocdoc.com/kati • Go to https://kachava.com and use code KATI for 15% off your first order MY BOOKS ⁠Why Do I Keep Doing This?⁠ ⁠Traumatized⁠ ⁠Are u ok?⁠ 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
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    1 h et 3 min
  • "I'm Lying to My Therapist, Am I Failing?"

    "I'm Lying to My Therapist, Am I Failing?"
    Apr 2 2026
    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: Care.com — 20% off a subscription or Senior Care Advisor plan using code KATI at https://www.care.com/ Hero Bread — 10% off your order using code KATI at https://www.hero.co/ MY BOOKS Why Do I Keep Doing This? Traumatized Are u ok? 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
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    1 h
  • I Looked Fine… But I Was Spiraling

    I Looked Fine… But I Was Spiraling
    Mar 26 2026
    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: Care.com: Get 20% off a subscription or a senior care advisor plan at https://www.care.com/ using code KATI. Hers: To get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you, visit https://www.forhers.com/kati. Episode Timestamps: 00:04 – Meeting an "OG": The innocence of the early YouTube community. 07:03 – The "Rug Pull": Surviving a public career split and deep feelings of failure. 13:14 – Digital Rebels: Being the "misfits" in traditional news organizations. 22:31 – Mount Everest: How a life-changing trip led to a new mission in wellness. 29:53 – Advocacy: Why the creator industry needs a "Bill of Rights". 37:51 – The Data: Shocking stats on creator burnout and suicidal ideation. 41:32 – Self-Worth: Why you must stop tying your value to your analytics. 48:31 – Kati’s personal journey from rock bottom to a thriving practice. 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 | 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
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    53 min
  • When Your Body Remembers Trauma (Physical Symptoms Explained)

    When Your Body Remembers Trauma (Physical Symptoms Explained)
    Mar 19 2026
    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 Hers - to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you visit https://www.forhers.com/kati Zocdoc - find and book top-rated doctors, therapists, or mental health providers near you in minutes https://www.zocdoc.com/kati 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 ⁠Why Do I Keep Doing This?⁠ ⁠Traumatized⁠ ⁠Are u ok?⁠ 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 7 min
  • The "Soft Skill" That’s Actually a Survival Tool

    The "Soft Skill" That’s Actually a Survival Tool
    Mar 12 2026
    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 • Care.com - Get 20% off a subscription or a senior care advisor plan at https://www.care.com/ using 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 | 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. Ask Kati Anything ep. 305 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 26 min
  • Why Do I Actively Try To Stay Sick?

    Why Do I Actively Try To Stay Sick?
    Mar 5 2026
    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 3 min
  • Why Your Eating Disorder Keeps Shapeshifting & How to Break Free

    Why Your Eating Disorder Keeps Shapeshifting & How to Break Free
    Feb 26 2026
    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 | 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. Ask Kati Anything ep. 303 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 8 min