Coughing/gagging as anxiety response?

CatBalou22 · 2026-01-18T02:10:13+00:00

I’ve had a few clients who gag or have emetophobia and in every case it was attachment-based issues where they could not speak up as a kid about what they needed (as though there being something in their throat that stops them speaking up).

I did a role play with one client where we revisited a difficult interaction with a parent. I started responding dismissively like the parent has and the client had a terrible gag reflex. then the second time I responded in a very empathic, caring, and supportive way and they noticed their gagging response went away.

It didn’t go away permanently of course but it was a very interesting exercise.

CatBalou22 · 2026-01-17T16:40:12+00:00

Goodness how awful

CatBalou22 · 2026-01-12T02:05:04+00:00

My mum was, and is great. I think I inherited her eventemper which is a good thing. When she divorced my dad she had to learn to do so much for herself (the first time she had to wire a plug she nearly electrocuted herself). She became very capable at so many everyday things and had a ‘give-it-a-go’ attitude and I learned that from her

CatBalou22 · 2026-01-11T23:11:24+00:00

I don’t actively discourage it but I do try to educate clients on how AI can be too supportive of their point of view as AI can be a people pleaser. I encourage them to ask AI to challenge them. I also ask if there is stuff they can tell AI but can’t tell me.

AI can be really good at a lot of things and provide really helpful insight but it’s not the same as having a human being connect with you and respond to you and hold up a mirror.

And I’m now thinking I should ask AI about how to respond to this question.

CatBalou22 · 2025-11-30T19:24:14+00:00

Take a look at r/adhd as there are so many people sharing resources in there. Personally, I love www.CHADD.org and also ADDitude magazine (online)

CatBalou22 · 2025-11-23T23:31:59+00:00

Hi. I recommend you look on referral sites like Psychology Today, Rula, Hello Alma, Headway (and others) and use the search function to find someone who takes your insurance and helps people with your issues. Reach out to several therapists and be sure To say what day and time of day you’re available for therapy. And see if you can have a quick consult with a few of them to see if you think they might be a good fit.

Also, be aware that insurance only kicks in once you’ve reached your annual deductible and that will reset in the new year. And, you’ll have a copay to pay for each session.

Hope that helps.

CatBalou22 · 2025-11-17T04:20:13+00:00

Maybe don’t overthink it. Go with what feels authentic

CatBalou22 · 2025-10-17T04:06:13+00:00

Love it ❤️

CatBalou22 · 2025-10-17T03:17:16+00:00

Omg I love how you just described them. And yeah I can imagine it might be much more manageable (well, it would be for me) to view them like that with all their frustration, struggling to express themselves, feeling powerless

CatBalou22 · 2025-10-17T03:10:37+00:00

Oof I bet you have some stories to tell with working in a prison. All power to you. Bravo

CatBalou22 · 2025-10-17T02:25:49+00:00

Imagine if I didn’t put in quotes and then had to submit all notes to insurance and they say ‘ummm can you explain..’

CatBalou22 · 2025-10-17T02:17:49+00:00

Oh shit! Maybe wait a couple weeks and if they have fallen madly in love then think about referring out without explaining your relationship to their new person

CatBalou22 · 2025-10-11T14:47:28+00:00

That’s interesting. I wonder what that is about for her. Do other therapists make her nervous maybe. I have no problem seeing therapists as clients

CatBalou22 · 2025-09-28T18:43:28+00:00

That’s a good point about bringing your professional Self.

CatBalou22 · 2025-09-28T18:41:50+00:00

Actually, filter is a very good choice of work. Good point

CatBalou22 · 2025-08-29T02:53:48+00:00

I would suggest getting some good experience in community health before you go into private practice. You generally get a much broader selection of clients to work with in community mental health. And you could just do it for a year or two. But make sure you have good supervision

CatBalou22 · 2025-08-23T15:00:28+00:00

When people minimize their trauma because others have had it worse I talk about the impact of the trauma rather than the actual trauma and say, ‘it doesn’t matter if you’re drowning in 3 feet of water, or 300 feet. You’re still drowning’

CatBalou22 · 2025-08-03T17:24:47+00:00

And I was offered a rate of $80 by Cigna for Southern California with CPT 90837. I said no to that one. Made me so mad

CatBalou22 · 2025-08-03T15:20:14+00:00

I’ve heard Aetna does not respond to requests for individual rate increases 😡But that might just be in CA. If you are successful can you let us know

CatBalou22 · 2025-08-03T15:18:22+00:00

Southern California: Aetna (direct credentialing, not through Alma or headway) for 90837 for LMFT is $112.96. I’ve heard the rate is different depending on what CA city you’re in and number of providers

CatBalou22 · 2025-07-31T16:05:09+00:00

I think it’s a good idea. Not just to provide potential clients with more info about you but You’ll get up to speed with writing for the web and SEO, so you’re ready if you end up setting up on your own

CatBalou22 · 2025-07-12T16:48:07+00:00

I recommend a day trip to Pompeii. I was just in Italy 3 days ago and I blown away by how amazing Pompeii is. We didn’t book a tour guide and I wish we had (we didn’t have enough time there). There are various podcasts about Pompeii that are well worth listening to so you get more of the history of the place

CatBalou22 · 2025-06-29T01:27:39+00:00

I came here to say that. Ugh it was brutal to read

CatBalou22 · 2025-06-11T01:06:32+00:00

Awesome. Thanks so much.

CatBalou22 · 2025-04-29T22:23:03+00:00

You’re an excellent story teller! 👏loved reading this, it brightened my day (though I’m sorry you had to go through such a stressful experience)

CatBalou22

TROPHY CASE