Chat with Dr. Kat

Dr. Kat Derrig-Palumbo
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

With over 25 years of experience as a licensed psychologist, Dr. Kat was one of the pioneers of online therapy. She launched one of the first virtual platforms, MyTherapyNet.com, long before telehealth became the norm. She is the author of Online Therapy: A Therapist’s Guide to Expanding Your Practice, and has taught thousands of therapists through her lectures for AAMFT, CAMFT, and other national and international psychological associations. She has also served as a consultant for The Dr. Phil Show, bringing her expertise to a national audience. Now, through Chat with Dr. Kat, she shares the moments that spark the kind of clarity people have been searching for — sometimes for years. Her gift is helping people finally “get it” — to break through in ways they never have before. Whether it’s parenting struggles, relationship dynamics, emotional healing, communication challenges, or what’s happening in the world around us, Dr. Kat brings insight, compassion, and real talk that leads to real change.

  1. 3D AGO

    College Applications and Financial Aid: How Box-Checking Leads to Rejection

    If college applications and financial aid have your family overwhelmed, this conversation will help you breathe. Dr. Kat sits down with college admissions and financial strategist Shellee Howard to unpack why so many students do everything “right” and still get rejected, why box-checking backfires, and why this process can feel so emotional for both parents and teens.  Together, they talk about what colleges are actually looking for, how students can communicate who they are instead of just listing accomplishments, how parents can have better conversations about fit, stress, and money, and why financial aid, merit scholarships, and college planning need a real strategy. You’ll also hear why the right college is not always the dream college, and how purpose matters more than a perfect résumé.   Listen in if your family wants a clearer, healthier path through college admissions. I want to hear from you!  To submit show ideas or be considered as a guest, visit https://chatwithdrkat.com/contact/ Follow Chat with Dr. Kat: Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/chatwithdrkat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chatwithdrkat YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chatwithdrkat TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatwithdrkat X:  https://x.com/ChatwithDrKat Health & Wellness Programs: https://mindbodyseries.com/

    1h 13m

  2. MAR 24

    Why Parents Get So Controlling: Emotional Floodgates Make Letting Go Hard

    If you have ever wondered why loving parents can start to feel controlling, overprotective, or anxious as their kids grow up, this episode will hit home. Dr. Kat explores the emotional overwhelm in parenting that begins when you have a child, shows up on school campuses and in everyday conflicts, and often resurfaces during the college transition for parents and the struggle of letting go of your child.   In this conversation, Dr. Kat explains her “emotional floodgates” theory: the idea that parenting and independence can feel emotionally threatening not because you do not love your child enough, but because you love them so deeply. She unpacks why parents struggle when kids grow up, how parenting anxiety can turn into overprotective parenting, and what it means when a child says, “You raised me to be like this. Why can’t you trust that?” The result is a compassionate, practical look at trust, fear, and learning to let go without disconnecting.   Tune in for a grounded, honest conversation about controlling parents, emotional floodgates, and the hard work of loving your child while letting them grow. I want to hear from you!  To submit show ideas or be considered as a guest, visit https://chatwithdrkat.com/contact/ Follow Chat with Dr. Kat: Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/chatwithdrkat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chatwithdrkat YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chatwithdrkat TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatwithdrkat X:  https://x.com/ChatwithDrKat Health & Wellness Programs: https://mindbodyseries.com/

    12 min

  3. MAR 17

    A Trans Woman on Acceptance, Therapy, and Why Kids Shouldn’t Rush Transition

    In this episode of Chat with Dr. Kat, Dr. Kat speaks with Daviana Memont, a trans woman, about gender identity, therapy, family acceptance, and the debate over youth transition. Daviana shares her personal transition story, including how she understood her identity from a young age, how her parents and daughter responded, and what it was like to begin living openly. Dr. Kat and Daviana also discuss the role of transgender therapy, the difference between immediate affirmation and deeper psychological exploration, and why Daviana believes children should not be rushed into social or medical transition. They explore parenting, mental health, confidence, emotional support, and the importance of giving families and individuals space to ask difficult questions with honesty and compassion. This episode offers a direct conversation about transition, acceptance, gender dysphoria, therapy, and the concerns many parents have as they try to understand what is best for their children. I want to hear from you!  To submit show ideas or be considered as a guest, visit https://chatwithdrkat.com/contact/ Follow Chat with Dr. Kat: Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/chatwithdrkat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chatwithdrkat YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chatwithdrkat TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatwithdrkat X:  https://x.com/ChatwithDrKat Health & Wellness Programs: https://mindbodyseries.com/

    41 min

  4. MAR 10

    Parenting Through Pediatric Surgery: Coping with Fear, Grief, and Recovery

    Hearing that your child needs surgery is one of the most frightening moments a parent can face. In an instant, fear, uncertainty, and grief can take over — even before the procedure begins. In this deeply personal episode of Chat with Dr. Kat, Dr. Kat is joined by Nee Zartoshty (@CranioCoach), who shares her firsthand experience navigating pediatric surgery with her daughters. Together, they explore the emotional realities families face when confronting medical uncertainty — including the shock of diagnosis, the loss of the expectation of perfect health, and the powerful mix of fear, love, and resilience that emerges during the process. Nee speaks openly about what parents go through during these moments, while Dr. Kat explains the psychological mechanisms that often appear in medical crises — including anticipatory grief, guilt, emotional overwhelm, and the pressure many parents feel to stay strong for their child while privately struggling themselves. Together, they discuss how preparation, support, and shared understanding can help families move through these incredibly difficult experiences. About our guest: Nee Zartoshty (@CranioCoach) coaches parents whose children are facing craniosynostosis and pediatric surgery, helping guide them through diagnosis, surgery preparation, recovery, and the emotional toll that can follow. Drawing from her own lived experience with both of her daughters, she offers support, perspective, and practical insight so families do not have to go through this alone. In this episode, you’ll learn: — Why parents often experience grief before a child’s surgery even begins  — The emotional stages families commonly go through during medical crises  — Why parents frequently feel guilt even when they have done nothing wrong  — How couples and families can support one another through medical trauma  — The importance of preparing emotionally, not just medically, for pediatric procedures If your family has ever faced a serious medical moment — or if you support someone who has — this episode offers compassionate insight and guidance for navigating one of the most challenging experiences a parent can endure. I want to hear from you!  To submit show ideas or be considered as a guest, visit https://chatwithdrkat.com/contact/ Follow Chat with Dr. Kat: Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/chatwithdrkat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chatwithdrkat YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chatwithdrkat TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatwithdrkat X:  https://x.com/ChatwithDrKat Health & Wellness Programs: https://mindbodyseries.com/

    35 min

  5. MAR 3

    Breakup Patterns: Why Unresolved Issues Repeat

    Why do so many people find themselves in the same relationship dynamic over and over again — even after a painful breakup? In this episode, Dr. Kat explores how unresolved issues from past relationships quietly shape future ones. From rebound relationships to emotional repetition, she explains why we’re often drawn to familiar patterns — even when they weren’t healthy the first time. You’ll learn: • Why unresolved breakups lead to repeated relationship patterns  • How fantasy and “potential” keep you emotionally attached  • What it really means to take accountability after a relationship ends  • Why healing is the foundation for healthier future relationships If you’ve ever felt like you keep dating the same person with a different face, this conversation will help you understand why — and what to do differently moving forward. This episode is about resolution, self-awareness, and breaking the cycle so your next relationship doesn’t repeat the last one. I want to hear from you!  To submit show ideas or be considered as a guest, visit https://chatwithdrkat.com/contact/ Follow Chat with Dr. Kat: Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/chatwithdrkat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chatwithdrkat YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chatwithdrkat TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatwithdrkat X:  https://x.com/ChatwithDrKat Health & Wellness Programs: https://mindbodyseries.com/

    16 min

  6. FEB 24

    Parent Vilification: When Accountability Becomes Alienation

    In today’s episode, Dr. Kat addresses a growing cultural trend: the vilification of parents. Across social media, labels like “toxic,” “narcissistic,” and “childhood trauma” are being used more loosely than ever. While real abuse and true personality disorders absolutely exist, many families are now finding themselves fractured over isolated moments of imperfection rather than patterns of harm. So where is the line between accountability and alienation? Dr. Kat explores how social media narratives can amplify pain, encourage black-and-white thinking, and unintentionally reinforce retaliation instead of repair. She explains the critical difference between malicious intent and human error, why one painful comment does not automatically equal lifelong trauma, and how families can create space for honest conversations without resorting to punishment or estrangement. This episode is not about dismissing hurt. It’s about restoring nuance. Parents are human. Adult children deserve to be heard. And accountability does not have to mean cutting someone off. As always: no fluff, no judgment — just real talk that leads to real change. I want to hear from you!  To submit show ideas or be considered as a guest, visit https://chatwithdrkat.com/contact/ Follow Chat with Dr. Kat: Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/chatwithdrkat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chatwithdrkat YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chatwithdrkat TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatwithdrkat X:  https://x.com/ChatwithDrKat Health & Wellness Programs: https://mindbodyseries.com/

    19 min

  7. FEB 17

    Why New Year’s Resolutions Stall—and How Small Changes Create Real Growt

    Why do so many New Year’s resolutions fade just weeks after they’re made? In this follow-up episode, Dr. Kat checks in on the reality of change—what actually happens after the motivation wears off. She explores why good intentions often stall, how small, consistent actions create lasting impact, and why discomfort is often a normal part of growth rather than a sign of failure. This conversation focuses on realistic, compassionate approaches to change, including breaking goals into manageable steps, letting go of perfectionism, and learning how awareness—not motivation—drives real progress over time. If you’ve felt discouraged, stuck, or frustrated with yourself for not “keeping up” with resolutions, this episode offers grounded insight and practical reframing to help you re-engage without judgment and move forward in a sustainable way. As always, this is real talk—no fluff, no shame—just thoughtful guidance for creating meaningful change that lasts. I want to hear from you!  To submit show ideas or be considered as a guest, visit https://chatwithdrkat.com/contact/ Follow Chat with Dr. Kat: Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/chatwithdrkat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chatwithdrkat YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chatwithdrkat TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatwithdrkat X:  https://x.com/ChatwithDrKat Health & Wellness Programs: https://mindbodyseries.com/

    23 min

  8. FEB 17

    In the Wild: Public Etiquette, Boundaries, and Everyday Consideration

    In this episode of Chat with Dr. Kat, we step “into the wild” to talk about everyday public behavior — the small moments that reveal how much we consider the people around us. From spitting in public and man spreading, to shared armrests and all-gender restrooms, this conversation isn’t about controversy — it’s about awareness. What does our behavior communicate in shared spaces? How do we balance comfort with courtesy? And how can we set boundaries without escalating conflict? Dr. Kat explores how kindness, tone, and mindful communication shape our daily interactions. Because real change doesn’t only happen in therapy rooms — it happens in grocery stores, airplanes, bathrooms, and sidewalks. No fluff. No judgment. Just real talk that leads to real change. I want to hear from you!  To submit show ideas or be considered as a guest, visit https://chatwithdrkat.com/contact/ Follow Chat with Dr. Kat: Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/chatwithdrkat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chatwithdrkat YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chatwithdrkat TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatwithdrkat X:  https://x.com/ChatwithDrKat Health & Wellness Programs: https://mindbodyseries.com/

    15 min
See All (25)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

With over 25 years of experience as a licensed psychologist, Dr. Kat was one of the pioneers of online therapy. She launched one of the first virtual platforms, MyTherapyNet.com, long before telehealth became the norm. She is the author of Online Therapy: A Therapist’s Guide to Expanding Your Practice, and has taught thousands of therapists through her lectures for AAMFT, CAMFT, and other national and international psychological associations. She has also served as a consultant for The Dr. Phil Show, bringing her expertise to a national audience. Now, through Chat with Dr. Kat, she shares the moments that spark the kind of clarity people have been searching for — sometimes for years. Her gift is helping people finally “get it” — to break through in ways they never have before. Whether it’s parenting struggles, relationship dynamics, emotional healing, communication challenges, or what’s happening in the world around us, Dr. Kat brings insight, compassion, and real talk that leads to real change.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Kat Derrig-Palumbo
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dr. Kat Derrig-Palumbo
  • Show Website
    Chat with Dr. Kat