Mental Health
Interview with Dr. Melissa Kalt, MD
Dr. Kalt is a trauma expert, master healer, soul strategist, and antifragile narcissist survivor who helps victims to heal holistically.
Dear Reader,
Have you ever felt trapped in a cycle of trauma, unable to move on? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people worldwide are struggling with the effects of trauma, and it can be challenging to find the help you need in these difficult times.
But there is hope. In this post, I’d like to share a short interview that I conducted with Melissa Kalt, MD, recently.
A physician on the Best Doctors® list from 2009–2018, when she retired from medical practice, Dr Melissa Kalt shares her personal and professional experience of discerning the truth in complicated and dysfunctional relationships. Her central theme is narcism.
Dr Kalt is a trauma expert and master healer dedicated to helping trauma survivors find healing and transformation. She understands the pain and isolation that survivors often feel, and she uses her own personal experiences to help others heal.
Dr Kalt’s approach is holistic and compassionate. She believes that healing is not just about addressing the symptoms of trauma but also about restoring a sense of self and finding meaning in life. She uses unique techniques to help her clients heal on a deep level.
I have been reading every piece Dr Kalt publishes on Medium because she touches on critical points in mental health and articulates her points with precision, empathy, and compassion.
If you’re ready to start your journey to healing, I encourage you to check out Dr Kalt’s work. Her insights are invaluable, and her compassion is contagious. You won’t regret it.
It is an absolute pleasure for me to introduce Dr Kalt to my readers as she has remarkable content illuminating her readers.
Tell us a bit about your background, Dr Kalt.
Wow. Where to begin…
I’m pretty sure I was born on fire.
I came out wanting to change the world.
And, as a child, the path I saw was of an over-achiever, so I set off on that journey.
I graduated from high school at 17, college at 20, and medical school at 25.
I became board-certified in three medical specialties.
My peers voted me to the Best Doctors™ list for the last ten years I was in practice and was the site medical director for three clinics at an academic institution.
Oh, and I had five kids.
My personal and professional experience with trauma drove me to learn everything I could about it — first Western, then Eastern and energetic medicine. And once I saw the harm unprocessed trauma caused, I vowed to learn to extract it — then I did.
About five years ago, I left my successful medical practice to follow my Why, to help others heal more deeply.
Over time, it seemed increasingly obvious that I was called to help others heal from narcissistic abuse, specifically covert narcissistic abuse.
I’d become an expert by necessity, then design. And my greatest joy is to guide others along their healing journeys.
Tell us about how you help narcissistic abuse survivors.
Over the past few years, I’ve developed a proven process for healing, which has become my signature program.
I guide participants through three key areas:
1 — Getting really clear — clearing the brain fog, confusion, and indecision so the path forward is clear
2 — Breaking the Trauma Bond — this insidious bond has devastating effects even years after leaving the relationship and it won’t go away on its own. I’ve created a process to see it clearly, reverse engineer it, then break it.
3 — Rewriting Subconscious Scripts — we all have subconscious patterns that may sabotage our best efforts. They also attract future narcissists. We rewrite them permanently.
And the best part is, we do this either fast or, as my husband says, very, very fast.
Antifragile Jumpstart, our group program, takes participants from stuck to emotionally free in just six weeks. I guide a select number of individuals one-on-one even faster.
For healing work, Antifragile Jumpstart is the way to go.
For those who have questions that need answers from someone who has been there, or someone who knows, I offer 30-minute consults.
These can be incredibly helpful for those currently in the divorce process who want the greatest understanding possible going into their negotiations.
And for those survivors who have felt unseen and unheard by the legal system, therapy world, or medical system, I have just released a new book, Covert Narcissist or Covert Narcissist Victim: You Be the Judge.
This book is excellent for survivors and for the professionals who serve them.
Readers and visitors to my website may also download this e-book for free, titled 3 Hidden Financial Risks
How about your hobbies?
I have a pretty eclectic taste in hobbies.
I love spending time in the natural world — hiking, swimming in lakes, sitting out at 4 am to see an eclipse, and chasing the northern lights or the Christmas star.
I absolutely love hot yoga, which is ironic since I don’t like being hot! I love it so much that I completed a 100-hour teacher training earlier this year.
I love dancing as if no one is watching.
And my bucket list goal is to learn hip-hop.
I love reading anything inspirational, watching musicals or musical movies (again and again), and delighting my inner artist with anything crafty.
What three books have impacted you the most?
The Anatomy of Peace by the Arbinger Institute had a really profound impact on me. I wish I’d read it 20 years ago.
Learning to maintain a heart at peace, rather than at war, regardless of circumstances, has dramatically changed my world.
It’s also why my work is emotionally clean. My heart is at peace.
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle helped me find presence in the Now amid chaos. Letting go of expectations and attachment to outcomes has been very liberating.
The Illusion of Money by Kyle Cease disintegrated some scarcity beliefs lingering below the surface.
My husband and I listened to the audio version on our honeymoon road trip, and I ordered a paper copy to have when I got home. I even held a book club online to discuss. The book is that impactful.
Why did you join Medium?
I joined Medium in 2016, unsure of what it really was.
I’d just published an article in HuffPost and had been invited to write for Thrive Global. They were posting content on Medium at that time, so I joined.
The self-publishing nature of Medium attracted my attention. I also like the idea of publications that can amplify stories and bring new audiences to our content.
Why did you join Illumination?
I joined Illumination in early 2022 as the content published in this publication attracted my attention.
I found many stories enjoyed content published in this diverse and inclusive publication and wanted to be part of this supportive writing and reading community.
It turned out that was a great decision. I find the editorial staff to be highly supportive and helpful. It’s like we’re on a winning team.
Since I met you, you have been abundantly generous with your wisdom, support, response time, and everything.
I enjoy your Slack workspace, which makes communication and collaboration easy and seamless.
What are your core values as a writer?
Speak the truth — even when the reader finds it hard to hear.
In my work with clients, I call this radical candor.
It’s the spotlight illuminating the wound they’re hiding from themselves and others.
Let me explain my three values briefly.
Share from the heart
I’ve lived this experience and gotten to the other side.
Now I’m willing to climb down that deep hole with a struggling reader and show them the way out.
Be emotionally clean
I find it essential to both be passionate about my topic AND be emotionally clean. I have already processed my own trauma, betrayal, anger, and sorrow.
I’m not dumping that in the reader’s lap.
And I’m able to see and share value clearly in a way that’s impossible while triggered.
Healing with words
My mission for writing is straightforward — to heal others with words.
My healing articles get far fewer views than those about something sensational, like narcissistic collapse.
My focus is healing, not virality.
Sometimes I’m lucky, and I get both.
How do you connect with your readers?
I crawl into that deep hole with them, where they can’t see a way out.
I sit with them in their struggle, reflect back on their innermost thoughts, and articulate experiences they haven’t been able to find words to express.
And whether they’re just now exploring what a narcissist is or they’ve been out of the relationship for decades, I know their struggle because I’ve been there.
Again and again, I hear, “You’re telling my story.”
And for those who are ready, I lead them out.
Please introduce a few stories you want to share with your audience.
This is tough. I currently have published 232!
Here are five stories that resonated well with my readers.
Six Surprising Ways to Heal Your Heart After Narcissistic Abuse
“Having a narcissistic parent (though I didn’t know what narcissism was ’til my 40s) taught me not to trust anyone with my hopes, my dreams — the things that mattered to me. Sharing those things was a surefire way to end up feeling badly in the future.”
7 Covert Narcissist Behaviors So Strange They Are Unbelievable
“When you have been abused by a covert narcissist, you start to see the predictability in their patterns — the passive-aggressive putdowns, gaslighting, sabotage, undermining, future faking, triangulation, weaponized incompetence, silent treatment, and more.”
28 Horrific Signs of Narcissistic Collapse in a Covert Narcissist
The narcissist’s grandiosity, expressed through their ideal, false self, protects them from their fragile self-esteem, lack of sense of self, and extreme shame. For a covert narcissist, their grandiosity is hidden from the naked eye but manifests as their need for attention, validation, admiration, and sympathy.
60 Revealing Things Covert Narcissists Say When You Know How to Listen
Covert narcissists say a lot without communicating anything real. When you start to talk to other survivors (or work with them as I do), you realize they say many of the same things. Sometimes hearing these “catch-phrases,” so to speak, will trigger an a-ha, an awakening that nothing else can. You’ve heard them so many times…
This Interesting Thing Happens When an Empath Abandons a Narcissist
When you, an empath, leave your relationship with a narcissist, the narcissist is initially stunned, reeling, and destabilized. The narcissist may beg or try to manipulate you into staying. Even if they have other sources of narcissistic supply, they weren’t counting on losing your supply today. When you hold firm, the pain of rejection and abandonment causes the narcissist severe narcissistic injury, which results in narcissistic rage.
Who are the writers you follow on Illumination?
Apart from you, I enjoy stories of several writers, particularly Dr Michael Heng, Ayodeji Awosika, Dr John Frederick Rose, Dr Deborah M. Vereen, Dr Preeti Singh, Roger A. Reid, PhD, Edward Robson, PhD, MFA, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, The Sturg, Cedric Johnson, PhD, Rebecca Romanelli, David Gerken, Anastasia Frugaard, Marcus aka Gregory Maidman, Crystal Jackson, EP McKnight, MEd, Teresa D Hawkes, PhD, Rebecca Stevens A., Floyd Mori, Desiree Driesenaar, Alison Acheson, Anthony M. Davis, ✨ Bridget Webber, Dr. Gabriella Korosi, Tara Desai PhD, Surekha Chandrasekhar, Mike Broadly - Healthier Lifestyle, Jennifer Geer and Katherine Myrestad. It is impossible to mention all.
The wealth of outstanding pieces within Illumination publications is awe-inspiring.
The abundance of talent and captivating content within these online resources leaves me in awe. I wish for more time to delve deeper and connect with gifted writers contributing to your publications.
With each curated collection your team releases, my reading list expands, brimming with anticipation. Though I may not always find the opportunity to comment, I thoroughly relish reading and savoring the treasures your team shares.
What would you recommend to new writers?
Don’t take yourself too seriously.
You either succeed, or you learn. Both are a win.
Reach out to others for help and support. This means reading their stories and noticing what great habits or techniques they have that you can model.
Join Illumination’s Slack workspace. Ask questions and open yourself to learning.
Don’t annoy top writers by tagging 50 of them at the bottom of your story or leaving a comment in their stories to read yours. This doesn’t make you any friends. It can have adverse effects.
How do you see your future as a writer?
I’ve written more than 200 evergreen pieces about narcissists.
Now I’m looking for new and unique ways to contribute my voice.
I’ll always be a writer, whether that’s more books, long-form publications, or short-form thoughts and pieces of wisdom, such as on LinkedIn.
How can readers connect with you on Social Media
I am on several social media platforms.
I have a YouTube channel. I posted 371 videos. Gratefully, I gained over 2000 subscribers.
I have my platform, melissakaltmd.com.
I am also on Quora, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Many thanks to Melissa Kalt, MD, for making time to introduce herself, her work, and her writing. I hope you connect with this writer, practitioner, and thought leader in her field.
I want to provide a few remarkable testimonials on Dr Melissa’s service taken from her website.
Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.
If you enjoyed this story, you might also check out other inspiring writers I recently interviewed, top writers like Dr ADAM TABRIZ, Mark Sanford, PhD, Yogesh Haribhau Kulkarni (PhD), Keri Mangis, Ayodeji Awosika, Raymond M.E. Aguirre, Hakima T A N T R I K A, and more.
You might find more interviews I conducted with other great writers in this collection and explore their content.
As a new reader, please check my holistic health and well-being stories reflecting my reviews, observations, and decades of experiments optimizing my hormones and neurotransmitters.
Petechiae, ALS, Metabolic Syndrome, Type II Diabetes, Fatty Liver Disease, Heart Disease, Strokes, Obesity, Liver Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Autoimmune Disorders, Homocysteine, Lungs Health, Pancreas Health, Kidneys Health, NCDs, Infectious Diseases, Brain Health, Dementia, Depression, Brain Atrophy, Neonatal Disorders, Skin Health, Dental Health, Bone Health, Leaky Gut, Leaky Brain, Brain Fog, Chronic Inflammation, Insulin Resistance, Elevated Cortisol, Leptin Resistance, Anabolic Resistance, Cholesterol, High Triglycerides, Metabolic Disorders, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Thyroid Disorders, Anemia, Dysautonomia, cardiac output, Neuromuscular Dysfunctions, and urinary track disorders.
I also wrote about valuable nutrients. Here are the links for easy access:
Lutein/Zeaxanthin, Phosphatidylserine, Boron, Urolithin, taurine, citrulline malate, biotin, lithium orotate, alpha-lipoic acid, n-acetyl-cysteine, acetyl-l-carnitine, CoQ10, PQQ, NADH, TMG, creatine, choline, digestive enzymes, magnesium, zinc, hydrolyzed collagen, nootropics, pure nicotine, activated charcoal, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B1, Vitamin D, Vitamin K2, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine, Cod Liver Oil, and other nutrients.
More stories like these are on EUPHORIA.
Disclaimer: My posts do not include professional or health advice. I only document my reviews, observations, experience, and perspectives to provide information and create awareness.
As part of my creative non-fiction writing goals, I’d like to share a few stories that might warm our hearts with a bit of humor into weighty topics.
Sample Humorous Stories
Based on my writing experience and observations, I documented findings and strategies that might help you amplify your voice, engage your audience, and achieve your desired outcomes in your writing journey.
I publish my lifestyle, health, and well-being stories on EUPHORIA. My focus is on cellular, mitochondrial, metabolic, and mental health. Here is my collection of Insightful Life Lessons from Personal Stories.
You are welcome to join my publications on Medium as a writer by sending a request via this link. 25K writers contribute to my publications. You may join Medium with my referral link to enjoy unlimited content.
