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Ask Kati Anything

Kati Morton, LMFT

Ask Kati Anything is a weekly mental health podcast where licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton, LMFT, takes deep dives into the complexities of human psychology, relationships, and emotional well-being.

If you are navigating daily anxiety, healing from trauma, or simply trying to understand your own mind, Kati brings over 12 years of private practice experience and the warmth of her 1.5 million+ YouTube community straight to your headphones. This isn’t a therapy podcast—it’s an educational, judgment-free space designed to unpack heavy topics so you never have to feel alone with your struggles.

Each episode breaks down specific psychological themes, utilizing listener submissions and real-world experiences to ground clinical concepts into actionable insights.

Core Topics & Deep Dives Include:

  • Anxiety & Neurodiversity: Panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, OCD, and ADHD.
  • Mood & Mental Health Conditions: Depression, PTSD, BPD, and eating disorders.
  • Relationships & Behavior: Attachment styles, narcissistic abuse, boundaries, and self-esteem.
  • Clinical Tools & Frameworks: Evidence-based CBT and DBT skills, healing childhood trauma, and navigating the process of starting therapy.

Whether you are currently in therapy, considering it, or just looking for deeper self-awareness, this show treats the real struggles of real people like they matter. Because they do.

Hit follow to join the community and never miss a weekly episode.

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  • 24 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 1 hr 2 min
  • English

Episodes 24

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  • #333
    Friday · 1 hr 7 min

    What Is Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD)?

    What Is Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD)? Do you struggle to make decisions without someone else’s approval? Do you constantly seek reassurance, fear being alone, or stay in unhealthy relationships because the thought of leaving feels terrifying? In this episode of the Ask Kati Anything Podcast, licensed therapist Kati Morton takes a deep dive into Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD). We explore the official DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, how DPD differs from anxious attachment, codependency, and borderline personality disorder (BPD), why DPD develops, and practical steps to rebuild self-trust and confidence. EPISODE SPONSOR Specialized virtual trauma treatment is available through Rebound. Founded by survivors and psychologists, Rebound provides clinically effective trauma therapy covered by leading insurance plans: https://hellorebound.com/askkatianything Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction: Understanding Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD) 01:31 - Q1: Am I Needy, Depressed, Traumatized, or Is It DPD? (DSM-5 Criteria) 10:30 - Q2: Capable at Work, But Indecisive at Home (Capability vs. Self-Trust) 15:15 - Q3: Asking Multiple People Before Making Decisions: Advice vs. Permission 18:54 - Advice vs. Reassurance: Finding What You Really Think 20:42 - Q4: Backtracking During Disagreements & Fear of Conflict 24:00 - Q5: Why Staying in Bad Relationships Feels Safer Than Being Alone 29:31 - Q6: Urgently Jumping Into Rebound Relationships 35:40 - Q7: DPD vs. Anxious Attachment, Codependency, BPD & Avoidant PD 44:33 - Q8: Where Does DPD Come From? (Genetics, Childhood, Overprotective Parenting) 53:32 - Q9: Why Does Reassurance Never Feel Like Enough? (The Reassurance Cycle) 56:31 - Q10: Transferring Dependency onto Your Therapist 01:02:03 - 5 Actionable Steps to Build Self-Trust and Overcome DPD MY BOOKS Why Do I Keep Doing This? Traumatized Are u ok? ONLINE THERAPY - Enjoy 10% off your first month If you're looking for a therapist, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed online professional: https://betterhelp.com/kati - a portion of your signup helps support the podcast at no extra cost to you. SOCIAL X https://twitter.com/KatiMorton TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@katimorton Substack https://substack.com/@katimorton1 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/katimorton1/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katimorton Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/katimorton1/ Patreon https://www.katimorton.com/kati-morton-patreon/ 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. 333 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • #331
    September 10 · 1 hr 6 min

    What Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Actually Looks Like (OCD)

    Licensed therapist Kati Morton explains how Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is clinically diagnosed, why common expressions like Pure O and taboo obsessions are frequently misdiagnosed, and how to tell the difference between tidy preferences and true compulsions.

  • August 27 · 1 hr 5 min

    Dissociation: From Zoning Out to Depersonalization

    Have you ever felt completely disconnected from your body, lost hours of time, or wondered why you feel numb when overwhelmed? In this episode, licensed therapist Kati Morton explores dissociation and the full spectrum of dissociative disorders, including depersonalization-derealization (DPDR), dissociative amnesia, and dissociative identity disorder (DID). You'll learn the neuroscience behind why your brain pulls the ripcord to protect you, how to distinguish normal spacing out from trauma responses, and somatic grounding techniques to regulate your nervous system. To see if specialized trauma therapy with Rebound could be the right next step for you, head to https://hellorebound.com/askkatianything where you can check your insurance, book a free call with one of their care specialists, and find out more. Timestamps 00:00 What Is Dissociation? 00:55 Spacing Out vs. Dissociating 02:03 How the DSM Defines Dissociative Disorders 03:11 Dissociative Episodes vs. Diagnosable Disorders 06:03 Why Your Brain Pulls the Ripcord (Nervous System Protection) 10:05 Hypoarousal, the Freeze State & Emotional Dampening 12:28 Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder (DPDR) Criteria 14:53 Reality Testing: DPDR vs. Psychosis 21:02 How Common Is Dissociation? Statistics & Comorbidities 25:25 Dissociative Amnesia vs. Normal Everyday Forgetting 30:42 What Is a Dissociative Fugue? 35:07 Localized, Selective & Generalized Amnesia 36:15 Brain Networks & Memory Suppression Mechanisms 40:02 Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) Explained 40:40 Parts Work vs. Alters in DID 46:00 Cultural Context & What DID Is Not (DID vs. Schizophrenia) 47:18 The Dissociation Spectrum: Maladaptive Daydreaming to DID 50:07 Childhood Trauma & The Role of Protector Alters 54:37 How to Tell If You're Dissociating or Just Zoning Out 56:00 Somatic Grounding Techniques for Dissociation 58:45 Nervous System Regulation, Qigong & Calming the Amygdala 60:34 Therapy Approaches for DID: System Cooperation vs. Integration SOCIAL X https://twitter.com/KatiMorton YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/katimorton?sub_confirmation=1 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@katimorton Facebook https://www.facebook.com/katimorton1/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katimorton Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/katimorton1/ Patreon https://www.katimorton.com/kati-morton-patreon/ 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 If you're looking for a therapist, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed online professional: https://betterhelp.com/kati (enjoy 10% off your first month) This is an affiliate link, which means a portion of your signup helps support the podcast at no extra cost to you. 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

  • #328
    August 21 · 1 hr 20 min

    Do You Have CPTSD? Symptoms, Flashbacks & Treatments

    What is Complex PTSD (CPTSD), and how does it differ from traditional PTSD or Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)? In this episode of Ask Kati Anything (Ep. 328), licensed therapist Kati Morton breaks down the ICD-11 diagnostic criteria for Complex PTSD, the impact of chronic emotional abuse and neglect, emotional flashbacks, and practical treatment modalities like TF-CBT, EMDR, and DBT. Thank you to OneSkin for sponsoring today’s episode! Get 15% off OneSkin with the code KATI at https://www.oneskin.co/KATI TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction to Complex PTSD & ICD-11 Criteria 01:45 - What Makes PTSD "Complex"? (Judith Herman & Prolonged Trauma) 04:08 - Can Chronic Emotional Abuse, Neglect, or Bullying Cause CPTSD? 12:08 - Big "T" vs. Little "t" Traumas & Resilience 15:15 - Core Differences Between PTSD and Complex PTSD 18:54 - Emotional Dysregulation: Hyper-Arousal vs. Hypo-Arousal 23:20 - Why Trauma Triggers Make You Relive the Past 25:40 - Pete Walker’s Concept of Emotional Flashbacks & Dissociation 29:30 - Negative Self-Concept, Shame & Externalizing Trauma 35:48 - How to Heal When There Was "Never a Before" 41:00 - Childhood Trauma vs. Adult CPTSD 43:30 - How Complex PTSD Affects Relationships & Trust 50:20 - Why We Isolate Even When Craving Connection 54:35 - Complex PTSD vs. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) 01:03:00 - What If Your Childhood Doesn't Feel "Traumatic"? 01:10:30 - Effective Treatments: Trauma-Focused CBT, EMDR & DBT 01:15:50 - What to Do If Trauma Therapy Isn't Working Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katimorton Ask Kati Anything ep.328 | 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 If you're looking for a therapist, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed online professional: https://betterhelp.com/kati (enjoy 10% off your first month) This is an affiliate link, which means a portion of your signup helps support the podcast at no extra cost to you. 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

  • #325
    July 30 · 1 hr 5 min

    Taboo Topics & Attachment in Therapy

    Navigating attachment dynamics and discussing sensitive, taboo topics in therapy can feel daunting, but understanding how your attachment style influences your mental health is a major step toward healing. In this episode, licensed therapist Kati Morton dives deep into attachment theory, explaining the four primary attachment styles—secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized—and how they shape your adult relationships and sessions with your therapist. Kati also addresses how to bring up political differences or uncomfortable topics without fear of judgment, and answers your most pressing community questions. Timestamps 00:00 - Episode Overview 00:46 - Discussing Uncomfortable & Taboo Topics in Therapy 01:59 - Political Polarization, Media Rage-Bait, and Safe Spaces 07:57 - Why Therapists Keep Personal Opinions Private 15:02 - Examples of Kinks, Religion, and Money in Therapy 18:42 - What is Attachment Theory? 20:35 - "What If You Never Tried to Attach to Your Parents?" Thank you to this week's sponsors! REBOUND: visit www.hellorebound.com/askkatianything & check your insurance or get matched with a therapist ONESKIN: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code KATI at www.oneskin.co/KATI 25:48 - The 4 Attachment Styles in Relationships 28:22 - How Attachment Styles Show Up Under Stress 35:35 - Getting Too Attached to Your Therapist 42:11 - Feeling Lost When Your Therapist Goes on Vacation 46:27 - Red Flag: When a Therapist Shares Their Own Personal Drama 53:38 - Rebuttal: Is the Therapeutic Relationship Transactional or Dangerous? 01:00:23 - Healing Your Attachment Blueprint and Final Thoughts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katimorton My main YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/katimorton?sub_confirmation=1 Ask Kati Anything ep. 325 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT PUBLISHED 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 If you're looking for a therapist, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed online professional: https://betterhelp.com/kati - Enjoy 10% off your first month! (this is an affiliate link, which means a portion of your signup helps support the podcast at no extra cost to you) SOCIAL X https://twitter.com/KatiMorton TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@katimorton Facebook https://www.facebook.com/katimorton1/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katimorton Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/katimorton1/ Patreon https://www.katimorton.com/kati-morton-patreon/ https://www.youtube.com/@askkatianything https://www.youtube.com/@katimorton 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

  • #323
    July 16 · 56 min

    Are You Too Attached to Your Therapist?

    A therapist explains why you're so attached to your therapist, what she's noticing about you in session, and the signs your therapeutic relationship has turned unhealthy.

  • June 25 · 50 min

    The New Science of Depression: Brain Wiring, Inflammation, and Rewiring Your System

    Why does your brain feel like it's working against you when you're depressed? In this episode, licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton answers deep viewer questions to unpack what is actively happening in the body and brain during depressive episodes and periods of suicidal ideation. We challenge the traditional "chemical imbalance" framework to look at the modern science of mental health: how different regions of the brain communicate, why your HPA axis can get stuck in a chronic stress response, and the clinical data pointing to systemic inflammation as a primary driver of depressive symptoms. Plus, Kati breaks down the absolute differences between clinical depression, situational sadness, grief, and passive vs. active suicidal thoughts. What We Cover: The DSM-5 Checklist: The 9 diagnostic criteria for Major Depressive Disorder. The Serotonin Myth: Why modern psychiatric research is moving away from looking at single chemical levels. The Inflammation Connection: Active clinical trials utilizing anti-inflammatory pathways to treat mental health. Your Audio Action Plan: How to implement behavioral activation, circadian light exposure protocols, and cognitive tools to stop internal negative loops. Special Thanks to Our Sponsor: Go to hellorebound.com/AskKatiAnything to check your insurance or get matched with a virtual trauma specialist today. Real, evidence-based trauma treatment is within reach. If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis, please call or text 988 (US) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. In the UK, you can reach the Samaritans at 116 123. You do not have to fight this alone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • #316
    May 28 · 55 min

    Why Over-Giving is Ruining Your Health & Relationships

    Are you stuck in the over-functioning trap? Kati Morton breaks down the psychology of over-giving, the 6 stages of the resentment cycle, and shocking medical data on what self-silencing does to your body.

Showing 1–20 of 24 episodes