Sound Financial Therapy with Kate Dorman | Ep. 120

• Kate explains that financial therapy goes beyond budgets and math to examine the beliefs and emotions driving financial decisions.

We oftentimes think money is just numbers... really it's about our feelings and our beliefs about money.

• Factors like upbringing, gender, race, culture, and social media all shape these beliefs and resulting behaviors.

• Clients include individuals and couples dealing with financial abuse, infidelity, gambling addiction, or repeated debt cycles.

• Many couples avoid money conversations until problems arise, leading to explosive conflicts when issues finally surface.

Approach a conversation with each other with curiosity... seek understanding as opposed to trying to convince the other person of what you believe.

• Instead of immediately rejecting ideas like vacations, ask clarifying questions to understand needs and explore options together.

• Social media creates FOMO by showcasing curated highlight reels while hiding financial stress and setbacks.

Even if you're not consciously having these thoughts, just seeing it as you scroll through your phone, it is impacting you.

• Influencers often receive free products, making their lifestyles appear more attainable than they are for paying consumers.

• Open, age-appropriate conversations about money at home help prevent avoidance or conflict patterns in adulthood.

• Two siblings can grow up in the same household yet internalize completely opposite lessons about money.