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Are u ok?: A Guide to Caring for Your Mental Health

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Learn hands-on coping strategies for managing anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and other mental health concerns with this “compassionate” guide from a licensed therapist and YouTube personality (John Green). Get answers to your most common questions about mental health and mental illness -- including anxiety, depression, bipolar and eating disorders, and more.Are u ok? walks readers through the most common questions about mental health and the process of getting help -- from finding the best therapist to navigating harmful and toxic relationships and everything in between. In the same down-to-earth, friendly tone that makes her videos so popular, licensed marriage and family therapist and YouTube sensation Kati Morton clarifies and destigmatizes the struggles so many of us go through and encourages readers to reach out for help.

257 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

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5 stars
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669 (39%)
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435 (25%)
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14 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 228 reviews
Profile Image for Carmen.
735 reviews23 followers
November 1, 2018
I received a copy from Perseus Books, Da Capo Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Taking care of your mental health sounds scary, but it’s important to take care of yourself and Kati Morton breaks down the what and why of mental health and therapy. She also takes a bit of the fear out of going to therapy. I know I’ve been on the fence about seeing a therapist and she took a lot of the fear out of that with her book, which is, in part, why this book exists.

Everyone struggles with mental health issues and there’s a societal stigma against taking care of our mental health compared to our physical health. Morton talks a bit about this and why it’s important to take care of our mental health. Not only is it a part of us and our body, but it can also physically affect us depending on what’s going on. She also explains the different parts of treating mental health and what each practitioner in the field does, such as the different between a therapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist.

One of the things that I like about the book is that it helps take some of the unknown out of seeking treatment. What does a first appointment with a therapist generally look like? What should one look for in a therapist? How does one look for a therapist? There’s explanations and answers to questions that I didn’t even think about, such as deciding on what to look for in a therapist based on one’s comfort level and how to figure out what type of person one wants to see. The information she shared will help others know what to expect and what to look for.

I found Morton to have a very positive personality through her writing, which makes it easier to digest the information she shares and take some of the fear out of imagining what a therapist might be like. It took me back to college because it was a combination of important information as well as relatable information and examples. I felt like I was sitting through a lecture with a cool professor with my text book propped open next to my notebook. It wasn’t scary, the information is valuable and useful, and there’s some technical information.

All in all, I highly recommend this book for people who want to learn a little more about treating mental health and for people who are on the fence about seeking treatment. Morton shares so much information in a way that isn’t overwhelming while also making her readers feel comfortable. There’s a lot of fear around mental health as well as seeking treatment, especially when one doesn’t know what seeking treatment will look like or has no idea what seeing a therapist or anyone in the field will look like because it’s just not talked about most of the time. This is a book I’ll refer back to as I step out of my comfort zone and seek a therapist and I think it can help many people whether or not they read it for themselves or someone else.
Profile Image for June (Kallandra) Kaye.
78 reviews2 followers
October 17, 2018
Are U Ok? By Kati Morton is a fantastic introductory book for just about anyone who is looking into, or perhaps pondering, if they need mental help.
This book does an excellent job, briefly explaining that seeking outside help is not a weakness. It also most crucially, lets the reader know that it is not so difficult to navigate that road once deciding to take that step towards getting help.
The author calms the reader's fears of someone who is curious, yet perhaps has been held back by years of societal pressures. Also, the persistent stigma surrounding the word "mental illness". Throughout the book, the author's compassion and understanding shines; putting the reader at ease as they search for their answers.
This book receives my recommendation for anyone who needs help outside of their support system. Anyone thinking about needing a therapist, or who may be thinking they may not feel like themselves will also find benefits throughout this read. This book will help clarify many subjects and send them in the proper direction to find that extra help. With the guidance found here, the reader will be able to find out what steps to take and who to look to.
This book was provided to me by Netgalley.
Profile Image for Sara - thelookingglassreads.
95 reviews66 followers
December 6, 2018
I requested this book for review and it was sent to me for free by the publisher.

Kati Morton is one of my favorite Youtubers. This book is an extension of her voice in book form. From identifying mental illness and/or mental health struggles to the different types of therapists and therapy that are available to you, this book is a valuable resource for anyone curious about the topic.

I didn't know a lot about Borderline Personality Disorder and Kati explains its symptoms and causes in a very accessible way. She also educated me about the acronyms behind therapists names and what they mean and who they treat, how to communicate in the most effective ways with partners/friends/family, and the myriad of treatment methods that are available.

I am quite a few years into my treatment journey (I have OCD, depression, and chronic anxiety), so a lot of the information in this book I already knew, but it is still very important and valuable. I have had Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and psychotherapy and currently take anti-anxiety medication.

The best thing that this book does and I think this is Kati's goal, is to reduce and eliminate the stigma that still heavily surrounds mental illness. Her narrative, along with being really understandable and relatable, uses the pronoun "we", which I think does a lot for the book and is important. We all have struggled with our mental health and we all could benefit from therapy.
Profile Image for Sam.
161 reviews
January 21, 2019
I think this is an excellent book for those who are just starting out on their mental health journey.
Kati Morton has a wonderful way of balancing her tone perfectly between “educated professional” and “casual, easy to understand”
8 reviews
January 20, 2019
Much longer than it needed to be and very basic.
The plus was it was a quick and easy read without any objections.
Profile Image for Meeko Runde.
11 reviews
December 18, 2018
The book was very good overall. I think this would be great if you are just starting you journey to better mental health.
Profile Image for Amy.
64 reviews2 followers
June 22, 2021
What I got out of this book:
- When you know you need therapy
- How to find a therapist
- How to know if a therapist is right for you
- Types of treatment
- Types of therapy
- Helpful communication skills
- Common communication mistakes
- When do you think you need more help.

It really covers the minimal basis of mental health but it is the second half of the book I have found to be more helpful. As someone who has already been in therapy for a few years, I felt that the first half wasn't applicable because I've already taken all those steps and know how common therapy is. I found more use in the second half of the book as the author covered those little communication skills and communication mistakes which are often made--that's really what I was looking for out of this book. I wanted a coverage on how to better handle anxiety or what to do in anxious moments. Although this information is a repeat of things I've been told, it was a nice reminder to take those steps when I'm feeling that way.

I give 5*, especially as its a good early source for those who want to take their mental health in their own hands and want to know more about therapy.
48 reviews
September 15, 2019
I was very disappointed with this book. I read it after hearing about it on Jillian Michaels Podcast and it was presented as a book about mental health, with an emphasis on staying healthy. There was very little content about mental health and how to preserve it. In fact, she only got to that in the last 12 minutes of the book.
I listened to the audio otherwise I would have quit reading this book.
The recommendation for every mental health issue is
„see a therapist“

Also, many anecdotes from her own life which came accross as annoying and self indulgent.

No alternative treatments, no focus on nutrition, sleep etc. way too little about prevention.
May be useful to someone who wants to have therapy and doesn‘t know what to expect. Definitely not a book for people who are healthy and want tips on staying that way.

Also, she says Eckcetera many times in the book. I realise this is petty, but it annoyed me every time.
Profile Image for Jen Hubbard.
81 reviews5 followers
January 20, 2019
Picked this up on a whim from the new books section at my local library. It’s an accessible overview of mental health and therapy. Seems helpful for anyone new to therapy, to know what options are available and how to proceed.
Profile Image for mia.
761 reviews281 followers
January 26, 2023
Just as we would talk about a cold or flu in our body, our brain is sick and needs professional attention. That’s why I constantly remind people to think of mental illness just as they would a physical illness
This book had a couple of chapters introducing mental illness and mental health and then it pointed out the various kinds of professionals that can help with either.

There were also explanations on the various dynamics that we have in life and how to maintain them with the correct intentions and tools. While some chapters were long and draggy, this book could be a starting point for people who want to read books about mental health.

Overall this book was an informative and quick read.
1 review
December 18, 2018
Are U Ok? Is an amazing book written by Kati Morton who furthers her conversationalist tone used in her YouTube videos. I find it really helpful as she creates scenarios so that everything she discusses is clear. I feel like everyone can benefit from this book and walk away with very important tools and techniques because even though you yourself might not have a mental illness chances are you know someone who does. Through the book it can lessen the anxiety and stigma when talking to someone with mental health issues. Also since I do struggle with mental illness it’s a nice resource to start my own recovery process and overall to know I’m not alone. After all everyone has a mental health and it needs tending too. I’d highly recommend to anyone!! It’d make the perfect gift!!
Profile Image for Riannon.
8 reviews
February 21, 2021
I loved this book! The discussions about challenging the stigma around MH are really insightful — everyone should read that part. Some of the chapters are very advice driven and specific to certain MH issues. This felt a little ‘text-book’ at times. I guess that’s expected with it being a ‘guide’, though!
Profile Image for Amanda (Books, Life and Everything Nice).
439 reviews20 followers
December 5, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley, De Capo Lifelong Books, and Kati Morton for an ARC ebook copy to review. As always, an honest review from me.

My actual rating is 4.5/5 stars, but since there aren't half stars I always round up.

Are u okay? is a comprehensive easy to understand book about the therapy process. The text includes information about what it is, explanations of acronyms, types of therapy, different professionals, what to expect with the actual therapy session, navigating insurance & payment, advocating for yourself and more. There’s even a quick bullet point summary of the vital information in the appendix. It’s a very approachable read. It’s great for someone who doesn’t know much about the therapy process or those looking to learn more about mental health. People who are familiar with therapy can still learn from the book, but some topics will already be known to them.

I liked the writing style. It’s factual but informal to make those unsure about the therapy process feel comfortable. Also if you’ve watched Kati Morton’s videos on YouTube, her unique voice definitely carries over into her book. However, I can see where some people, possibly the older generation, might not be as comfortable with this more casual tone.

Overall, I think there’s a lot of great information that can help a lot of people. Everyone can learn something from her book. A wonderful resource for people who are considering therapy or know someone considering therapy.

Also definitely check out her YouTube channel for all things mental health.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzBY...
Profile Image for Toshita.
593 reviews60 followers
January 19, 2024
A quick little guide to therapy and what it entails. I enjoyed it because I learned a lot and I now know where to go/where to find information if I ever need help.
Profile Image for Olivia Miller.
9 reviews
January 9, 2021
This is a wonderful book for someone who needs help but doesn't know where to find it. It explains things simply and does a wonderful job of making the reader feel safe. I would highly recommend this to anyone!! I made some revelations throughout reading this book that I didn't expect as well. I loved it!
Profile Image for DonutKnow.
3,308 reviews48 followers
July 30, 2019
*did not finish

Not really what I was looking for.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Samantha Colbert.
11 reviews
April 2, 2019
I heard about this book on a podcast I listen to, where the author came to actually discuss this book, but also answer some other general questions about therapy. In regards to the book itself, it was very interesting to hear all about therapy from a therapist's perspective. I learned a lot reading this book. Therapy is something that I have previously sort of considered but never pursued. After reading this I haven't changed my mind about therapy for me personally, meaning that I didn't get the feeling that the author was trying to tell the entire world that they should be in therapy, which I appreciated greatly. I really felt like the author wanted what was best for the reader, whatever that might be. This book also helped me to put mental illness into perspective and that while it may be different from physical illness, it still deserves to be treated. Meaning - if you're sick don't be afraid to look for ways to get better rather than trying to cope with the illness on your own. That might work for the common cold, or the odd bad day, but facing pneumonia or chronic depression on your own could have very poor results. Getting help isn't giving up, it's the opposite. And it was really nice to see that put into understandable terms with physical and mental illnesses.
One important note: Please don't let the fact that she's a YouTube personality deter you from reading the book. It actually offers her a great deal of insight as she has more examples to draw from and has a wide variety of people that she has interacted with as well as her individual patients.
I'd recommend reading this book to people who:
Are looking to learn more about the process of therapy
Are wondering if therapy might be right for them
Enjoy learning about mental health
Often ask the question on the cover to others or to themselves
Are interested in the perspective of a "YouTube personality therapist."
Profile Image for Stephanie.
24 reviews
February 2, 2019
This is a great book for someone who has never sought counseling and is unsure of what to expect. It’s a primer on all the things that can be explored in therapy, and I do recommend it for people who are struggling with figuring out what to DO, because this book gives you very clear and defined steps. However, it is a how-to kind of book, and if you have already been through therapy or have some education on the topic, this book is probably not for you. It doesn’t go into detail or depth about self analysis or anything like that. This is the book I would give a friend who is struggling but doesn’t know what to do to fix it. The author’s voice is very kind, and it is a gentle way to encourage someone to seek more help.
Profile Image for Ødegård Solveig.
108 reviews3 followers
July 2, 2020
3.5 stars

Very helpful and easy to get through. This book answered some of the most urgent questions I had about therapy. It is, like it says, a guide to get yourself help and an assurance that whatever help you need you deserve to get. If you have doubts about getting into therapy or curious about what a session(or therapist) is/could/should be about, read it! The last part of the book didn't apply directly to me but I appreciate the author going through the different kinds of help you can get and explaining situations and relationships that may cause you to suffer. I appreciated that she put down her own anecdotes and experiences both as a therapist and as a person. That makes at least me feel like it's less about "them" vs me. Therapists are people too which sometimes is easy to forget!
Profile Image for Jackie Bennett.
123 reviews4 followers
June 1, 2019
Are U OK? reads like a beginner's guide to mental health and well being. It talks a lot about getting help and what good mental health care looks like as well as describes tips and tricks to deal with toxic behavior and relationships. I think this book is really useful for anyone who struggles with mental health but hasn't reached out yet. It really only deals though with the most common mental health issues, like anxiety and depression as well as the author's specialty, eating disorders, and does not address most other mental health conditions. The information in this book though is only meant to be a general guide and not meant as treatment in any way. The advice is pretty universal though and I think everyone could gain from reading this book. Bias notice: I am a fan of Kati Morton's YouTube channel so I am predisposed to like her writing.
Profile Image for Noemi.
199 reviews5 followers
May 31, 2020
Todo lo que tu profesional de la salud mental puede decirte en confianza.

Kati habla sobre la diferencia entre salud mental y enfermedad mental, explica los diferentes niveles de cuidados que alguien puede requerir, así como herramientas en el manejo de las emociones, e identificadores generales de cuando es momento de buscar a algún profesional.

Su carisma y ejemplos concretos sobre cómo expresar y lidiar con situaciones comunes hace que te sientas orgulloso de herramientas que has aplicado bien, sin saber que lo eran, y te des cuenta posibles áreas que necesitaban atención.

Lo escogí porque se que está preparando un libro que me interesa y quería saber si era tan carismática como en su canal de YouTube

Me complace decir que lo disfrute mucho, especialmente provechoso en tiempos de aislamiento social.
Profile Image for RobynRiana.
85 reviews21 followers
May 11, 2019
I saw and grabbed this from my online library, and it happens to be May, Mental health awareness Month, so I posted this review online for awareness. Experiences are VERY personal and perspectives vary so much that (and this is true all over the world) the discussion often seems fruitless. But it is vital. Taking care of our health in a preventative way is only possible with awareness! Healing from Mental Illness is only possible with resources! Therefore, let’s say goodbye to stigma and educate ourselves on being human, sick and well and in between. Kati Morton’s efforts with this book and with her YouTube series are a giant leap in the right direction! I wish I had had this book at age 15, and I wish every 15 year old could and would read it for a solid, simple look at what it means to be “OK”.

"I hope that by talking about our mental health in a very open and nonjudgmental fashion we can shorten the time it takes people to speak up and get the help they need. No one deserves to feel ill for an extended period of time due to what they fear others will think of them. Together we will make sure everyone can get the help they need when they need it most." - Kati Morton, Are u ok

6 reasons to read this book:
- What is Mental Health?
Wouldn’t it be great if we all had the same understanding of our health needs?
- The who/what/why/how/when of therapy
Because we need to know where we can find true help when we ask for it!
- Tips and Tricks
Because, yes, mental health is about the long game. Sadly, these are rarely taught or even understood by parents or teachers.
- Communication
A skill which can be improved in spite of our habits and personality traits so our relationships can thrive!
- Common Mistakes
Very common. As in, every human being makes these mistakes, and I am so grateful that Morton put out this book to shed light on tragically neglected and misunderstood Mental Health issues.
- Glossary
We should try to learn terms associated with. Mental Health and use them properly, because dismissing issues and misusing terms propagates stigma and hurts the Mental Health Awareness cause.
Profile Image for Tanvi Kant.
25 reviews42 followers
May 9, 2022
I read the book on audible. This book has been narrated by its author who is a licensed clinical psychologist specialising in Family and Marriage Therapy. Her voice is calming and I loved listening to her on my long walks.

After reading the first few chapters, I was disappointed because those chapters talked only about different kinds of mental health treatments available and what are the things you would look for in a therapist. These are all useful if you are looking for a therapist or searching for the right treatment plan for yourself or a loved one in the USA. But I did not expect that in a Guide to caring for your mental health.

I am glad I decided to read a couple more chapters because the at the end of the book are these chapters on toxic relationships, communication and the mistakes we make in our interactions. These chapters contain some very practical advice with somewhat relatable examples.

4 stars for these chapters and 2 for the rest of the book.
Profile Image for Phil.
410 reviews36 followers
December 30, 2023
I picked this book up from my library app on a bit of whim. I'd seen Kati Morton's YouTube videoes a few times over the last couple of months and found her quite helpful, so thought I'd look this up. It took me only a couple of weeks to get it from the on holds, so I was able to get to it quite fast.

Morton's book is really an introduction to therapy and to psychology. Like her YouTube channel, Morton is really good at explaining the complexities of psychological treatments and approaches as well as illnesses in clear, easy to understand prose. Her style is easy to read and really quite compassionate. Her good sense comes through and she is full of recommendations of how to approach mental health issues. The book is intended for someone with limited experience with therapy, so I found that I knew a lot of what she was talking about, except, of course, the more nuts and bolts who does what kind of things (which really only applies directly to California). But I still found the book helpful.

If you're struggling and wondering about a book to de-mystify how to get help, this is a good book to start with. And, of course, Morton's YouTube channel.
Profile Image for Tyler Graham.
960 reviews7 followers
January 2, 2020
A concise, accessible primer on mental health and therapy, written by a licensed marriage and family therapist. It’s a great overview of the subject for folks unfamiliar to it, and encouraging enough for the reader to feel empowered to begin seeking help if they so choose, while also providing tools that the reader can implement right away.
Profile Image for Jessica.
189 reviews
December 27, 2018
This is a great guide/resource/informational book if you are just starting you journey to better mental health. I have been following Kati on YouTube for awhile now and as both someone on the journey, as well as someone who helps facilitate the journey (for others) I have found her invaluable.
Profile Image for Aiva Gru.
11 reviews1 follower
February 19, 2021
Reads like an oversimplified introduction to interpersonal relationships and therapy for ... dummies? Kids? Aliens? Honestly I don't even know 😬
Gems like "passive aggression doesn't accomplish anything positive" and "fighting doesn't mean a breakup" made me realize I've wasted my time on this.
Profile Image for Kris.
3,574 reviews69 followers
November 7, 2022
3.5 stars

This isn't what I needed right now, but it is a good intro to the basics of finding a therapist, why one might be necessary, and different kinds of therapy. It's very accessible and easy to understand.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 228 reviews

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