The Kitchen Shrink

thekitchenshrinkpodcast
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Cat & Kel are servin' it hot: real, unfiltered mental health talk about relationships, trauma, sex, anxiety, depression, grief… the whole Kitchen Shrink. Two therapists, zero judgment, no topic off the table. We'd love to hear from you — visit thekitchenshrink.com and send us a therapy-related question, and we'll do our best to feature it on an upcoming episode.

  1. 4d ago

    When Shutting Down Becomes Survival

    What happens when speaking up in your relationship leads to conflict, defensiveness, or being shut down? In this episode, we explore the difference between healthy boundaries and emotional withdrawal, and what it means when protecting your mental health starts to feel like you have to silence yourself. Can you protect your peace without losing yourself in the process?

  2. Sep 3

    After The Affair

    What happens when you discover that the affair your spouse had years ago was happening during the marriage you thought you knew? In this episode, we explore the shock, anger, grief, and confusion that can follow a delayed discovery of infidelity. We talk about whether a marriage can recover from such a profound betrayal, what genuine accountability and rebuilding trust actually look like, and how a couple can begin to decide whether they want to write a new chapter together. Because sometimes the hardest part isn't deciding whether you still love each other; it's figuring out whether you can learn to trust again.

  3. Aug 27

    The Silent Treatment

    When does taking space become the silent treatment? In this episode, we explore what happens when silence is used as punishment, why some people shut down when they’re hurt, and the impact it can have on both partners. We also look at how childhood experiences can shape the way we respond to conflict—and how couples can break the cycle without punishing each other back.

  4. Aug 20

    Back To School Emotions

    Your youngest is heading off to kindergarten, and everyone keeps telling you how exciting it is—but what if you’re not ready? In this episode, we talk about the bittersweet emotions that come with watching your baby grow up, what happens when your child is struggling with the transition too, and how to navigate those big feelings when your partner doesn’t quite understand them. Because sometimes a milestone can be both exciting and heartbreaking at the same time.

  5. Aug 12

    I Know More About His Schedule Than His Heart

    What happens when you know your partner’s calendar better than their inner world? In this episode, we unpack a listener’s heartfelt question about feeling emotionally disconnected in her marriage. We explore why emotional intelligence can be difficult for some people, how it develops (or doesn’t), and simple, practical ways to grow it. If you’ve ever longed to feel more seen, understood, or emotionally connected in your relationship, this episode is for you.

  6. Jul 28

    Am I damaging my kids? What Every imperfect parent needs to hear.

    Every parent has moments they wish they could do over.  This week, Cat and Kel respond to a heartfelt question from a mom who worries that her impatience and short temper are causing lasting damage to her children. Together, they explore the power of repair, why perfection isn't the goal of parenting, and how everyday moments of connection matter more than getting it right every time. If you've ever wondered whether you're "messing up" your kids, this episode offers reassurance, practical tools, and the reminder that being a good parent isn't about never making mistakes; it's about showing up, taking responsibility, and continuing to nurture the relationship.

  7. Jul 28

    Boundaries don't break families. Unhealthy patterns do.

    When a parent creates division instead of connection, what do you do?  In this episode, Cat and Kel answer a listener's heartfelt question about navigating a controlling and emotionally manipulative mother-in-law who has spent years without accountability and pitting her adult children against one another. Through the lens of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), they explore why these family dynamics are so painful, how childhood attachment wounds continue to affect us as adults, and why setting boundaries can feel both heartbreaking and incredibly freeing.   Whether you're struggling with a difficult parent, in-law, or family system, this conversation will help you understand the difference between protecting your peace and abandoning your family. Most importantly, it offers hope that while you can't always change the family you came from, you can change the one you're creating. Because sometimes the bravest thing you can do isn't keep the family together, it's stop passing the pain to the next generation.

  8. Jul 28

    Conflict Isn't The Enemy

    What happens when two people in a loving marriage suddenly feel like strangers during conflict?  This week, Cat and Kel answer a listener's question about why he and his wife seem to become completely different people when they argue. Through the lens of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), they unpack the negative cycle that keeps couples stuck, explain what's really happening beneath the anger and silence, and share practical ways to reconnect instead of drifting further apart. If you've ever wondered, "How can we love each other so much and still fight like this?" this episode is for you.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Cat & Kel are servin' it hot: real, unfiltered mental health talk about relationships, trauma, sex, anxiety, depression, grief… the whole Kitchen Shrink. Two therapists, zero judgment, no topic off the table. We'd love to hear from you — visit thekitchenshrink.com and send us a therapy-related question, and we'll do our best to feature it on an upcoming episode.

Information

  • Creator
    thekitchenshrinkpodcast
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Kitchen Shrink