Therapy in a Nutshell

Latest Episodes:

How to Stop Worrying About the Future Jan 07, 2021

Show notes

In this video you’re going to learn what to do when your brain just won’t shut up with all the worries about what’s going to happen in the future. I’m going to teach you one antidote for when you’re stuck ruminating on your fears, and I’ll teach you why you should never worry in your head.

A Little worry is ok. Worry serves a function. Beneficial worry prompts action, it can help us plan for the future by thinking through possible problems and their solutions. But compulsive worry makes us feel sick and freeze up When we imagine danger our body has the exact same physiological reaction as if there was real danger present. That’s why your body pumps out adrenaline when you’re safe at home watching a scary movie. And when we’re stuck in chronic worry, that can make us so anxious that we get sick or can’t function.

Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor BetterHelp connects you to a licensed professional for $65/week. Try it now for 10% off https://betterhelp.com/therapyinanutshell

Learn more in one of my in-depth mental health courses: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=01072021

Support my mission on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/therapyinanutshell

Check out my favorite self-help books: https://kit.co/TherapyinaNutshell/best-self-help-books

If you are in crisis please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or your local emergency services. Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC

Mental Filtering: Why you may only notice the Negative Jan 05, 2021

Show notes

Mental filtering is the cognitive distortion where we only see one aspect of a situation, usually the negative side of it when it comes to depression or anxiety. You focus on the negative and disregard or filter out all the positive. You pick out a single negative detail and hyperfocus on this instead of everything else going on. If you can’t see anything positive, then your thoughts are lying to you. Mental filtering makes us more anxious, but anxiety makes us mental filter more- because anxiety attunes our brain to threats, making it so that we’re more likely to notice the bad. Mental filtering makes us more depressed, when we only notice the bad, life is depressing. But when we feel crappy, when we feel depressed, we’re more likely to mental filter.

Thanks BetterHelp for sponsoring the video: BetterHelp- Professional, Affordable Online Counseling starting at around $65 a week https://www.betterhelp.com/therapyina...

Learn more in one of my in-depth mental-health courses: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=01052021

Check Out My Favorite Books for Mental Health: https://kit.co/TherapyinaNutshell/bes...

Music licensed from www.Bensound.com or Artlist.io Images from Freepik.com (premium license), Pixabay, or Wikimedia commons

Therapy in a Nutshell, and the information provided by Emma McAdam, is solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health. If you are in crisis please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or your local emergency services. Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC

How Loneliness Affects the Immune System Dec 29, 2020

Show notes

Loneliness impacts the immune system, mental health, and physical health in dramatic ways. But you can counteract its effects through intentional human connection. Loneliness contributes to depression, anxiety, heart disease, a weakened immune system, cognitive decline, and other mental and physical health problems, but you can find ways to connect with others in a way that strengthens your physical health, even during coronavirus.

Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional for $65/week. Try it now for 10% off https://betterhelp.com/therapyinanuts...

Support my mission on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/therapyinanut...

Learn more in one of my in-depth mental health courses: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=12292020

Sign up for my newsletter: www.therapynutshell.com Check out my favorite self-help books: https://kit.co/TherapyinaNutshell/bes...

Anxiety, Worries and What if’s-Rewiring Anxiety through Intentional Risk Assessment- Acceptable Risk Dec 28, 2020

Show notes

So here’s another of the most common questions I get on my “Rewiring the Anxious Brain” video- People asked “What if the dog bites you?” Now in that video I was explaining how when you avoid something it makes your anxiety go up, and this is really harmful when you avoid something that feels dangerous, but is actually safe- like public speaking, taking a test, or asking for a raise. So I used the example of being afraid of dogs and then explained how gradual exposure can help you overcome that fear by gradually spending time with dogs. But of course, when making a video about anxiety, the anxious people watching the video are going to say- but how can I do that, what if the dog bites you? Many people with anxiety focus on the worst-case scenario, instead of focusing on the potential for growth and healing. And that’s because when your brain is in anxiety mode, it’s attuned to threats, it only notices and pays attention to the potential dangers around you. But dogs can actually be dangerous. So when you’re in anxiety mode the 1 in 1,000 chance of being bit by a family’s pet dog feels like a serious, immediate, most likely occurrence. In Anxiety mode our brain is going to assume the worst about so many things- “What if they all hate me?” “What if I get Covid from my groceries?” “What if the car swerves into my lane?” It’s so easy to get wrapped up in all the “What-ifs” that you completely lose sight of your goals. Like overcoming anxiety, or visiting your son who has a dog. But there are some practical steps you can take to manage your brilliantly anxious brain instead of letting anxiety run your life. First realize that your brain’s most natural job is to “prevent dying” to keep you from bad things happening. And unlike other mammals, that are mostly instinctual about these things, running from an immediate threat like a tiger, and then relaxing when the threat is gone. Our brain has the ability to imagine danger in the future, remember danger in the past, and that makes us feel like we’re in danger in the present moment. But just because our brain is really good at imagining dangers, doesn’t mean that avoiding those fears is the way for us to live a good, happy life. I think most people with anxiety can see how feeling anxious all the time and avoiding stuff is making their lives worse…

Thanks BetterHelp for sponsoring the video: BetterHelp: Professional, Affordable Online Counseling starting at around $65 a week https://www.betterhelp.com/therapyinanutshell

Learn more in one of my in-depth mental health courses: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=12282020

Support my mission on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/therapyinanutshell

Check out my favorite self-help books: https://kit.co/TherapyinaNutshell/best-self-help-books

How to Get Motivated and Stay Motivated Dec 26, 2020

Show notes

Knowing how to get motivated is really important. How to stay motivated is even more important There are tons of videos teaching tips and tricks and rah rah motivation, but in this video I’m going to teach you how your brain works so you understand the principle behind how to get motivated and how to stay motivated. You’re going to learn how dopamine- the neurotransmitter of reward and motivation works in your brain and 4 simple things you can do to get motivated and stay that way.

Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional for $65/week. Try it now for 10% off https://betterhelp.com/therapyinanutshell

Learn more in one of my in-depth mental health courses: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=12262020

Support my mission on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/therapyinanutshell

Check out my favorite self-help books: https://kit.co/TherapyinaNutshell/best-self-help-books

Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health.

If you are in crisis please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or your local emergency services.

Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC ---- Music licensed from www.Bensound.com or Artlist.io Images from Freepik.com (premium license), Pixabay, or Wikimedia commons

Quick Coping Skill for Anxiety: Locus of Control Find a Way #WithMe Dec 22, 2020

Show notes

Here’s a quick activity that you can do to cope with anxiety and restore a sense of safety and calm, I do it all the time with my clients in session and you can feel a noticeable difference almost immediately. This activity is short and simple, but it can really help decrease anxiety or better cope with anxiety. A big part of anxiety and stress is trying to figure out what you should be doing about certain problems. I mean that’s what worry is, right, it’s thinking about a problem over and over to see if you can find another option or another solution. Coping with Anxiety is all about understanding your locus of control, but the important part is that you draw it- because that does something to help the brain clarify and calm down more than just thinking. Sign up for my newsletter: https://www.therapynutshell.com Thanks BetterHelp for sponsoring the video: BetterHelp- Professional, Affordable Online Counseling starting at around $65 a week https://www.betterhelp.com/therapyina... Learn more in one of my in-depth mental-health courses: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=12222020 Check out my favorite books for mental health: https://kit.co/TherapyinaNutshell/bes... Music licensed from www.Bensound.com or Artlist.io Images from Freepik.com (premium license), Pixabay, or Wikimedia commons Therapy in a Nutshell, and the information provided by Emma McAdam, is solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health. If you are in crisis please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or your local emergency services. Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC

Seasonal Affective Disorder and Winter Blues- Treatment Options-Light Therapy for SAD Dec 21, 2020

Show notes

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that is associated with changes in the seasons. (It also has the clever acronym, SAD). Or it’s called the Winter Blues. These symptoms often start in the fall and persist into the winter. With Winter SAD people feel less energetic and more moody, with symptoms similar to depression. It can look like: Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed, feeling sluggish, tired, or low energy, having problems with sleep, feeling hopeless, weight gain, or appetite changes and specifically in the winter, cravings for more food, especially high carb food. Around 20 percent of Americans (That’s like 65 million people) experience seasonal affective disorder. Now this disorder impacts people who are closer to the poles, because the amount of sunlight varies more dramatically with the seasons there, than near the equator.

Looking for Affordable Online Counseling? My sponsor BetterHelp connects you to a licensed professional for $65/week. Try it now for 10% off https://betterhelp.com/therapyinanutshell

Learn more in one of my in-depth mental health courses: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=12212020

Support my mission on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/therapyinanutshell

Check out my favorite self-help books: https://kit.co/TherapyinaNutshell/best-self-help-books

People Pleasing-Are you a People Pleaser? And How to Stop Being a People Pleaser Dec 17, 2020

Show notes

People-pleasing is when you feel like you have to change yourself to be loved or accepted by others. People pleasing is especially common among women, but anyone could be a people pleaser. When you are stuck in people pleasing you may feel tired, overwhelmed, exhausted, or resentful. There are different types of people pleasers- the perky, the pouty, and the perplexed people pleaser. If you'd like to learn more about overcoming people pleasing and perfectionism, check out Carly's online course: https://therapyinanutshell.teachable.com/p/ppp

Thanks BetterHelp for sponsoring the video: BetterHelp- Professional, Affordable Online Counseling starting at around $65 a week https://www.betterhelp.com/therapyinanutshell

Learn more in one of my in-depth mental health courses: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=12172020

Support my mission on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/therapyinanutshell

Check out my favorite self-help books: https://kit.co/TherapyinaNutshell/best-self-help-books

Can You Be Successful if you Experience Mental Illness? OCD, John Green and Turtles all the Way Down Dec 15, 2020

Show notes

Can you be successful with OCD? John Green is the famous bestselling author of "The fault in our stars" "Looking for Alaska" and "Turtles all the way down. He's successful, smart, deep, and he also has OCD. John Green's book "Turtles all the way down" is a fictional book about a girl who has OCD- Obsessive-compulsive disorder- and how she deals with life.

Thanks to BetterHelp for sponsoring the video: BetterHelp- Professional, affordable, online Counseling starting at around $65 a week https://betterhelp.com/therapyinanuts...

Learn more in one of my in-depth mental-health courses: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=12152020

Check out my favorite books for mental health: https://kit.co/TherapyinaNutshell/bes...

Music licensed from www.Bensound.com or Artlist.io Images from Freepik.com (premium license), Pixabay, or Wikimedia commons

Anxious but you don’t know why? Dec 08, 2020

Show notes

In part 3 of Rewiring the Anxious Brain, I talk about what to do when you don't know why you're anxious but you don't know why. After making my video on the Anxiety cycle and how to rewire your brain to be less anxious, I got a lot of questions, but one of the most common ones was "I don't know why I'm anxious" What do I do about that? In this video, I discuss 2 reasons why you might be anxious and you don't know why, and what you can do about anxiety. I discuss the principle of neuroplasticity and how you can actually rewire your brain to be less anxious. Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional for $65/week. Try it now for 10% off https://betterhelp.com/therapyinanuts... Support my mission on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/therapyinanut... Learn more in one of my in-depth mental health courses: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=12082020 Sign up for my newsletter: www.therapynutshell.com Therapy in a Nutshell, and the information provided by Emma McAdam, is solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health. If you are in crisis please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or your local emergency services. Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC ---- Music licensed from www.Bensound.com or Artlist.io Images from Freepik.com (premium license), Pixabay, or Wikimedia commons Images from wsj.com, thedailytexan,

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