Therapy in a Nutshell - podcast cover

Therapy in a Nutshell

Therapy in a Nutshell -Emma McAdamtinpodcast.podbean.com
I’m Emma McAdam, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and my mission is to make mental health resources more easy to access. I take therapy skills and psychological research and condense them down into bite-sized nuggets of help. I’m here to spread the message that while mental illness is real, it’s common, it’s debilitating, it’s also treatable. There are dozens of research-backed approaches to treating depression, anxiety, and other mental illness. Change, growth, and healing are possible. Please keep courage! Try one little thing every day to improve your life and health and things can get so much better! 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. Therapy in a Nutshell and it’s logo are Registered Trademarks of Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC

Episodes

Time Blindness - An ADHD or Executive Dysfunction Trait

If you lose track of time, can’t estimate time, or if you struggle to be on time you may be experiencing something called time blindness. So in this video you’ll learn what time blindness is, and 10 strategies to manage it. And if you think you’ve heard them all, the last two are pretty creative. Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now for 10% off your first month: https://betterhelp.c...

Aug 08, 202416 minEp. 153

Behavioral Activation: How to Get Motivated to Do Stuff that You Don't Want to Do : Day 30 Break the Anxiety Cycle

Break the Anxiety Cycle in 30 Days: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/anxietyskills In this video you’ll learn about the mental block that holds so many people back in anxiety and especially depression, and the essential skill to break that cycle. It's the key to getting motivated. It's called behavioral activation. It’s all about getting yourself to do stuff that’s good for you but you don’t feel like it. So in this video you’ll learn how to break the cycle of depression or immobilization,...

Aug 01, 202413 minEp. 137

What is Executive Function - And Why is Executive Dysfunction so bad for Mental Health?

Executive Function Coach Sean McCormick's Website: https://www.efspecialists.com/ OK, here’s the thing, you (or someone you know) might have been diagnosed with ADHD, Depression, PTSD, or Anxiety, (because like 30% of the US has had a diagnosis like this). Or even more likely, you might struggle with impulse control, or procrastination, or getting stuff done. Maybe you feel overwhelmed or you’re not reaching your goals. And both the internet and professionals are quick to give you a big diagnosi...

Jul 26, 202416 minEp. 154

Finding Purpose and Meaning to Overcome Anxiety - Day 29 Break the Anxiety Cycle

Break the Anxiety Cycle in 30 Days: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/anxietyskills Do you want to learn How to Process Emotions and improve your Mental Health? Sign up for a Therapy in a Nutshell Membership, you'll get access to all of Emma’s courses, workbooks, and a Live Q and A with 100’s of exclusive videos: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership If you were to ask most people what they want from life, the average answer you would get is “I just want to be happy.” If you wou...

Jul 18, 202428 minEp. 140

Guided Meditation - The Container Method - for Processing Trauma, PTSD and Intense Emotions

Do you want to learn How to Process Emotions and improve your Mental Health? Sign up for a Therapy in a Nutshell Membership, you'll get access to all of Emma’s courses, workbooks, and a Live Q and A with 100’s of exclusive videos: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Check out my FREE course Grounding Skills for Anxiety and Trauma: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/grounding-skills-for-anxiety-stress-and-ptsd/ Do you tend to avoid thinking about difficult emotions or memories? ...

Jul 15, 20247 minEp. 156

The Container Method for Processing Trauma, PTSD and Intense Emotions

Do you want to learn How to Process Emotions and improve your Mental Health? Sign up for a Therapy in a Nutshell Membership, you'll get access to all of Emma’s courses, workbooks, and a Live Q and A with 100’s of exclusive videos: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Check out my FREE course Grounding Skills for Anxiety and Trauma: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/grounding-skills-for-anxiety-stress-and-ptsd/ Do you tend to avoid thinking about difficult emotions or memories? ...

Jul 12, 202417 minEp. 157

What Agoraphobia REALLY is, and how to overcome it

In this video we’re going to talk about agoraphobia, some common misconceptions, and what kind of treatment works. By the end of the video you’ll learn 5 steps to overcoming agoraphobia, and you’ll hear from someone who did it. Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now for 10% off your first month: https://betterhelp.com/therapyinanutshell Learn more in one of my in-depth mental health c...

Jul 04, 202413 minEp. 151

Boundaries for Anxious Folk - Day 28 Break the Anxiety Cycle

Do you want to learn how to process emotions and improve your mental health? Sign up for a Therapy in a Nutshell Membership. You'll get access to all of Emma’s courses, workbooks, and a live Q and A with 100’s of exclusive videos: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership People with anxiety often struggle with boundaries, and that’s partly because setting a boundary makes them anxious and not holding a boundary makes them anxious. And because many people with anxiety are sensitive and e...

Jun 27, 202415 minSeason 4Ep. 29

Insomnia- How to Fall Asleep When your Brain Won't Shut Up!

Do you want to learn How to Process Emotions and improve your Mental Health? Sign up for a Therapy in a Nutshell Membership, you'll get access to all of Emma’s courses, workbooks, and a Live Q and A with 100’s of exclusive videos: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership If you are lying in bed trying to go to sleep, and find your mind racing, feeling anxious, what's the next best step to stop the anxiety cycle? You all know that feeling. I’ve been there, You’ve got a big day ahead, or ...

Jun 20, 202413 minEp. 155

How to do Exposure Therapy for Fears and Anxiety: Day 27 Break the Anxiety Cycle

In this video I’m not going to teach you an anxiety hack or trick, I’m going to teach you the #1 most powerful way to decrease anxiety as backed by research. I’m going to teach the 6 steps to kicking fear’s butt by using exposure therapy. Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now for 10% off your first month: https://betterhelp.com/therapyinanutshell Learn more in one of my in-depth ment...

May 25, 202412 minSeason 4Ep. 28

Solving Actual Problems (Instead of Just Coping Skills) - Day 26 Break the Anxiety Cycle

Break the Anxiety Cycle in 30 Days- Online Course: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/anxietyskills Here's why stress management techniques often fail- they focus all their energy on changing the emotion, instead of changing the environment- when we really solve problems, we face them and resolve them instead of just learning to cope with them. In this video you'll learn how to resolve stress by geting to the root of the problem and problem solving like a therapist does. We're going to clear...

May 24, 202417 minSeason 4Ep. 27

How to Deal with Uncertainty - Without Self-Sabotage

Most people don’t like uncertainty, but the people who can’t tolerate uncertainty the most are more likely to experience anxiety or depressive disorders, they’re more likely to struggle in relationships or not reach their potential in work or school. But here’s the thing. It’s not actually the uncertainty that’s the problem, it’s our attempts to avoid uncertainty that usually interfere with our lives. We love certainty. To such an extreme degree that we often self-sabotage instead of tolerating ...

May 17, 202416 minEp. 147

Exploring a Sensory Diet for Emotional Regulation - Sensory Processing Disorders

If you struggle with emotional regulation, you desperately need to know about sensory regulation- but A lot of people have no idea what sensory needs are and most people don’t know how to manage their sensory diet to help with emotional regulation. This is super important with children, and with the neurodiverse community -ADHD and Autism Spectrum folk- but anyone that doesn’t understand their sensory regulation needs often struggles with emotional regulation. You can learn to build a healthy se...

May 16, 202416 minEp. 148

Menopause and Mental Health with Dr. Mary Claire Haver

Learn more about Menopause, and Dr. Haver's book and other treatments at https://thepauselife.com/ Menopause can really impact mental health, but there are effective treatments, you don’t just have to grit your way through it, so let’s talk about it, and I’m excited to have menopause expert Dr. Mary-Claire Haver here to share the medical aspect of it. Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try i...

May 03, 202446 minEp. 141

Breathing Exercises for Anxiety: Day 25 Break the Anxiety Cycle

Take the online course Break the Anxiety Cycle in 30 Days: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/anxietyskills In this video, you'll explore effective breathing exercises and a deep breathing technique to combat anxiety. We will talk about deep breathing, 4-7-8 breathing, box breathing and belly breathing. By focusing on deep breathing and other techniques, it empowers you to regain control over anxiety symptoms, enhancing your mental well-being for daily life. Looking for affordable online cou...

Apr 29, 202419 minSeason 4Ep. 26

Sensory Needs Quiz- Your Sensory Needs Assessment

Download the assessment here: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/pl/2148296708 Have you ever found yourself feeling overwhelmed, irritable, or simply drained by your surroundings? It's not uncommon to experience these emotions, especially in a world that's constantly buzzing with activity and stimuli. But what many people don’t realize is that these feelings could be closely tied to our sensory needs. Understanding and acknowledging our unique sensory preferences is like discovering the secr...

Apr 19, 202434 minEp. 146

My New Favorite Vagus Nerve Exercise for Anxiety or Trauma Recovery - The Voo Breath or Foghorn

Break the Anxiety Cycle in 30 Days - Online Course: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/anxietyskills I’d like to share with you my new favorite vagus nerve exercise for turning on the parasympathetic response. This is an exercise Peter Levine teaches to help people who are struggling with Chronic Overwhelm, burnout, or high levels of stress. Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now ...

Apr 08, 20245 minEp. 145

What to do with Anxiety in Your Body - Day 24 Break the Anxiety Cycle

Break the Anxiety Cycle in 30 Days: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/anxietyskills It’s common that when you feel anxiety, you have uncomfortable sensations in your body. An upset stomach, tight muscles, cold or sweaty palms, a headache, or fast breathing or heart rate. Our natural tendency is to try to make these feelings go away. To run from our body’s messages, to distract ourselves, to stay busy, to avoid these feelings in any way we can or to try to force them to change. And while thi...

Mar 28, 20248 minSeason 4Ep. 25

Window of Tolerance -An Essential Skill for PTSD, Trauma and Nervous System Regulation

Talking about trauma can make things worse. I’m a therapist, and I know how valuable it CAN be to talk about trauma, but when you don’t understand your “Window of Tolerance” talking about trauma can backfire. In this podcast, we’ll talk about the three states of your nervous system, the two common pitfalls of trying to talk about trauma, and the practical skills you can use to widen your window of tolerance so that you’re more resilient in the face of stressors or trauma. Looking for affordable ...

Mar 22, 202418 minEp. 144

Building an Internal Sense of Safety for PTSD, Trauma or Anxiety: Day 23 Break the Anxiety Cycle

Break the Anxiety Cycle in 30 Days- Online Course: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/anxietyskills If you want to manage PTSD or Anxiety, you need to learn how to interrupt the anxiety cycle and to do that you've got to interrupt the perception of danger. We do that by fostering an internal sense of safety, this is a practical skill we can develop and in the PTSD treatment world it's called Resourcing or Building an Internal Sense of Safety. Looking for affordable online counseling? My spon...

Mar 08, 202416 minSeason 4Ep. 24

How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now for 10% off your first month: https://betterhelp.com/therapyinanutshell Here’s what we do know about comparison- it contributes to mental health concerns like eating disorders, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, social anxiety, body dissatisfaction, jealousy, narcissism, and perfectionism. It can also lead to other problems like overspending t...

Mar 04, 202417 minEp. 143

How to Turn on the Parasympathetic Response to Calm Anxiety: Day 22 of Break the Anxiety Cycle

Break the Anxiety Cycle in 30 Days- Online Course- https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/anxietyskills The good news is that there are practical things you can do to turn on and strengthen your parasympathetic response. In this video you’ll learn how to activate the parasympathetic response, and how to strengthen your vagal tone- which is your body’s overall ability to regulate your nervous system and return to a sense of calm. Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, c...

Feb 22, 202420 minSeason 4Ep. 23

THIS guy solved Panic Attacks after 30 years of Panic Disorder

Panic attacks can be terrifying, but they aren't dangerous. When we engage with our panic attacks by trying to control our panic attacks, by trying to force our body's sensations to calm down, or by believing our brain's stories that "This panic attack is actually a heart attack" or "I have to calm down!" or "It will be catastrophic to have a panic attack" then that is the real thing that keeps panic attacks going. In this video I share to email I got from one of my listeners, Jon, who had been ...

Feb 16, 20249 minEp. 142

How to Stop Taking Things Personally

Take the Free Relationship Quiz here: https://join.heyritual.com/TIAN50 Do you take things personally? Do you get offended easily? Do you spend a lot of time trying to figure out which person is the "Jerk"? Taking things personally is a super complex relational strategy we use to protect ourselves when we feel threatened, but it leaves us feeling isolated and dramatic. In this video we're going to learn 3 steps to stop taking things personally, and how to stop taking offense. Looking for afforda...

Feb 08, 202421 minEp. 131

The Essential Skill to Regulate Your Nervous System - Relaxed Vigilance vs. Hypervigilance: Day 21 Break the Anxiety Cycle

This is Day 21 of my online course, Break the Anxiety Cycle in 30 Days- Buy the full course here: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/anxietyskills This is seriously one of the most powerful interventions I know of for chronic anxiety. It uses a bottom-up approach, a body-first approach to regulate your nervous system to reduce stress and anxiety throughout the day. And it’s pretty simple to learn. Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed pr...

Feb 01, 202414 minSeason 4Ep. 22

Understanding Anxiety in the Nervous System: Day 20 Break the Anxiety Cycle

Break the Anxiety Cycle in 30 Days- Online Course- https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/anxietyskills Anxiety is essentially a state of your nervous system. In this video we’ll explore anxiety, trauma and burnout in your nervous system. There’s two ways that your nervous system plays a direct role in anxiety and depression- your alerting activating system can get stuck on or stuck off. And most of the people who get stuck in these states don’t realize it, they are trapped in these cycles and j...

Jan 25, 202416 minSeason 4Ep. 21

Flip Anxiety on Its Head With 2 Words: Day 19 Break the Anxiety Cycle

Break the Anxiety Cycle in 30 Days- Online Course- https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/anxietyskills There is a simple shift you can use to transform your anxiety in two words. In this podcast you’ll learn how to do it. There is no physiological difference between anxiety and excitement. Inside your body, it’s the same physical response- cortisol, adrenaline, etc. rapid breathing, increased heart rate. You can flip a switch in your brain, when you say “bring it on!” I actually want this! Let’...

Jan 19, 202412 minSeason 4Ep. 20

Emotional Reasoning: Break the Anxiety Cycle Day 18

Break the Anxiety Cycle in 30 Days- Online Course- https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/anxietyskills I’m going to teach you an important skill to be less emotionally reactive. Essentially, how to control your emotions. Emotions lie to you all the time. But they feel so real. They are very powerful motivators, but they aren’t always accurate. You’ll learn how to be less emotionally reactive by learning to combat emotional reasoning. You’ll learn 4 ways to slow yourself down in an intense momen...

Jan 11, 202417 minSeason 4Ep. 19

How to Let Go of the Past - 3 Steps for Regret

Download the free worksheet for resolving regrets and letting go of the past here: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/pl/2148136124 Check out the Online Course "How to Process your Emotions" here: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/emotion-processing "Regret can be your worst enemy or your best friend; you get to decide which." Regrets are like a hammer, they can hurt you or you can use them to build the life you really care about. In this podcast, you’ll learn how to channel the emotion...

Jan 07, 202416 minEp. 127

Stop Catastrophizing About Your Future: Break the Anxiety Cycle Day 17

Break the Anxiety Cycle in 30 Days- Online Course- https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/anxietyskills Catastrophizing is essentially a defense mechanism but one that isn’t the best, it backfires. It can contribute to depression and anxiety and other mental health conditions. So let’s replace it with a more helpful one. In this video you'll learn how to use the skill of mental imagery to combat anxiety and create greater chances of success. You'll learn to ask “What if it all works out?” Let’s ...

Dec 28, 202314 minSeason 4Ep. 18