logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2024
41m 30s

How far back does my body remember?

Kati Morton, LMFT
About this episode

This week licensed therapist Kati Morton talks about emotional pain in therapy sessions, how we can stop our hypersexuality, and how far back our body remembers traumatic experiences. She also explains other mental illnesses that could be helped through DBT, and what we can do to stop our doctors from blaming our physical ailments on our mental health. Finally, she discusses memory and trauma processing, and why we can sometimes struggle to recall simple things.

Ask Kati Anything, your mental health podcast, episode 231 audience questions:

1. How would you react if a client tried to leave session due to being in emotional pain. And you suspected they would try to harm themselves or even commit suicide? Would you stop them, or is that not your responsibility? Would you ever get in the way of the door and not let them leave? How would you react differently if It was a friend and outside the therapy space? 00:58


2. How can I put an end to my hyper sexuality? I’ve been struggling with it since like, forever. I was SA’d as a kid (COCSA) at the age of 5-6 and I’ve been hypersexual since, I’ve been physically abused by a parent because I was caught touching myself in public, now I more so use it as a coping mechanism, it’s what I’d turn to when I was even ever so slightly irritated... 05:14


3. Do you know how far in the past can the body "remember" potentially traumatic experiences? I was born a preemie at 32w (not too bad for a triplet, but still required weeks of care in NICU). From what I learned and saw in photos, I was the tiniest of the 3 and spent the longest time in hospital. I've been tube fed and covered with IV's. I also went into respiratory arrest at a few months old. Besides that, I haven't grown a sick child at all. We were lucky. I have been struggling with MH since my early teenage years (I am 22 ) Having an ED (among other co-related issues), gaining weight is really hard to cope with. In my case, it is not so much that I... 14:28


4. Hi Kati, is DBT a good fit for illnesses other than BPD? I have anxiety and bipolar II depression and, in the past, have had CBT/ACT therapy. They were pretty successful for anxiety but never touched the depression. Over time, I have developed chronic suicidal thoughts. When I'm well, they scare me. When I'm depressed they are almost like a warm blanket. I can’t stop thinking about it. It's always in the back of my mind. I know I have a way out. Could DBT help with this? 22:01


5. How did you get doctors to stop dismissing physical health issues and blaming it on mental health? I understand they can go hand in hand, but it's not always the case. It feels discriminatory. What's the best way to address this with a doctor? 30:45


6. What is going on with my memory???? I’ve been doing trauma work with my therapist for awhile now and all of the sudden I cannot remember what I have shared with her and what I haven’t. Why is it so hard for me to share new memories of the trauma with my therapist?? I fully trust her and know she is safe. Why do I go into a shame spiral and then push her away after I share something new? Will this go away with time? 35:27


PUBLISHED BOOKSTraumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati (enjoy 10% off your first month) SOCIALX 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/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/katimorton

PARTNERSHIPSLinnea Toney linnea@underscoretalent.com

Up next
Yesterday
Can You Be a Good Friend While Struggling? Boundaries, self-care & healing trauma
Are you struggling to support a friend's mental health crisis while battling your own? This essential episode of Ask Kati Anything dives deep into setting healthy boundaries in tough friendships, tackling the crucial question of how to protect your peace without guilt. We also ex ... Show More
50m 57s
Oct 2
"Am I stuck in survival mode?"
Today, I'm answering your top questions on trauma recovery, emotional processing, and breaking free from mental blocks. I'm diving deep into how to move out of functional freeze and start feeling again, what structure is actually needed in therapy sessions, and the hard but essen ... Show More
50m 33s
Sep 25
Are You 'High-Functioning' but Secretly Depressed? (Psychiatrist Explains)
High-functioning depression is a silent struggle for many. Are you walking through life, feeling overwhelmed, but still managing to keep it all together? Dr. Joseph shares insights from her groundbreaking, peer-reviewed study, the first of its kind on high-functioning depression. ... Show More
1h 1m
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2
327. How trauma gets trapped in the body
We often think of trauma as something extreme - a dramatic, life-altering event. But trauma isn’t just what happened to us. It’s also how our body learned to survive. It can be quiet, subtle, and long-lasting, shaping how we live, cope, and exist in the world, often unconsciously ... Show More
54m 6s
Jul 2023
Anxiety and Depersonalization / Derealization (Ep. 020)
Depersonalization and Derealization - AKA "DP/DR" This week Drew and Josh get into the nuts and bolts of this most common anxiety and stress response. This is the sense that you're not real, that you're detached from yourself, or that the world around you suddenly feels u ... Show More
38m 18s
Apr 2025
Meds can't fill the trauma hole-- Attachment, maternal wounding, and the challenges of coming off meds
Here Dr. H sits down with Lisa, a pediatric nurse practitioner, to witness her story of developmental trauma, concomitant chronic depression, and eventually her path of healing and rebuilding trust and connection, largely through psychotherapy. During her years of intermittently ... Show More
54m 53s
Oct 6
Trapped On My Bathroom Floor for 2 Years
#foryou #podcast #sponsored #ad SPONSORED BY: RULA | Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/INSANE #rulapod ONESKIN | Get 15% off OneSkin with the co ... Show More
1h 39m
Feb 2025
Lasting Treatments for Anxiety vs. Coping Skills - Is THIS why Therapy isn't working?
Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Have you tried a bunch of stuff to manage anxiety and depression, but you’re still struggling? This might be why: Some strategies that work great for the short term, ... Show More
16m 8s
Sep 5
How To Stop Ruminating About Old Relationships & Attachments and Let Go With A Therapy Technique
Tired of trying to think your way out of overthinking?Let me show you what actually works—in less than 30 minutes.Get immediate access to a free class now.Why do old loves still haunt us...sometimes decades later?That late-night dorm call, the heartbreak, the chaos… your brain re ... Show More
8m 55s
Mar 2025
EMDR Therapy: Addressing the Impact on Identity and Belief When Spiritual Trauma Happens
In this episode, we dive into the transformative power of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy for healing spiritual trauma. Many individuals experience profound emotional pain and confusion from harmful religious/spiritual/cult experiences, leading to fee ... Show More
33m 9s
Jan 2025
Decoding PTSD: Why Healing Your Past is Key to Mental Health
In this enlightening episode, Dr. Ameet Aggarwal delves into the profound impact of unresolved trauma on mental health, sharing insights into his specialized approach to healing. As a multi-disciplinary therapist, Dr. Aggarwal discusses how emotions, childhood experiences, and ev ... Show More
28m 37s
Jan 2024
70 — How Tiny Traumas Stack Up and Affect Your Mental Health with Dr. Meg Arroll
Trauma is not solely determined by the severity of an event but rather by its impact on an individual's perception of themselves and the world. "Tiny t" traumas are cumulative, low-grade traumas that build up over time and can have a profound effect on mental health. Dr. Meg Arro ... Show More
43m 46s
Apr 2025
How to Stop Nightmares in Adults w/ PTSD - Rescripting Nightmares with CBT for Nightmares Protocol
Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Nightmares are a common symptom of PTSD and can impact sleep, mood, energy, and contribute to more PTSD symptoms. Today I'm speaking with Dr. Joanne Davis, Clinical ... Show More
36m 33s