STAY IN THERAPY FOREVER? The Truth About Why We May Want To And Why It's Unhealthy

On Ask Kati Anything ep. 133 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT
Kati discusses why we may want to stay in therapy forever, and how to know if that’s unhealthy or not. She also explains some of the reasons we may be repulsed by ourselves, why we might hate hugs, and the effects diet culture has on those with EDs. She explains sandtray therapy, how DBT works, and how to grieve things lost in our lives. Finally, she describes the effects of medical trauma, what leads to CPTSD, how much support is okay to ask for, and how she decides what level of care her ED patients need. This and so much more on today’s episode!

Audience questions:
1. I can't imagine ever feeling ready to leave my therapist. I like him so much, even though at times it's painful. The thought of never seeing him again is hugely upsetting and I know I'd be really sad. How can people reach a place where they feel OK about ending therapy and not seeing their...

2. Could you talk a bit more about reasons why we might be repulsed by our own being? You mentioned in episode 128 that we can be so disgusted with ourselves and this can be a trauma response. I feel repulsed by my entire being, including my physical body (and especially any sexual desire)...

3. I've heard people talk about diet culture - specifically, how it's harmful and can lead to disordered eating/EDs - but I've also heard news about the increasing obesity crisis in the U.S. I'm curious - as an eating disorder therapist, do you think there is a relationship between...

4. Does there have to be a reason for hating hugs or can it just be related to who we are as a person? Ever since I can remember even as a young child I've hated hugs, this has continued into adulthood. I hate social events and family gatherings because I feel like there is always...

5. Can you talk more about sandtray therapy? Like when does a therapist decide to use it for adults? Is it suitable as a form of trauma therapy on its own, or is it supplemental? My therapist does EMDR too...

6. My question is about DBT therapy for CPTSD due to sexual abuse. I am only about 6 weeks into therapy with my new therapist, so I know we are early on in the process. I had told her that I have not done well with therapy in the past because I tend to dissociate whenever things come up that...

7. I was wondering if you could talk about grief. You have mentioned that you don't have to have someone pass away to experience grief and I was wondering about if you can grieve the loss of an opportunity, or a future you thought would happen but doesn't? As for many people Covid changed...

8. I am wondering if you could have CPTSD due to multiple occurrences with Cancer throughout childhood. I have only heard of cptsd coming out of abuse or sexual trauma, but a lot of the symptoms are true for me. I’ve also had other things happen to me that could be considered trauma such as witnessing domestic violence...

9. I know that mental illness can warp your perception into wrongly believing that you’re a burden if you reach out for support. But it can also legitimately cause strain for the people being reached out to. How do I tell which one is happening? How much support is fair to seek out...

10. As an eating disorder specialist, how do you decide what level of outpatient care someone needs for a restrictive ED? Are there certain criteria or guidelines that therapists look at to determine OP vs. IOP vs. PHP, or does it vary patient-to-patient? I’m in the process of seeking treatment for the first time and there’s disagreement about what kind of care I...

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