Therapy in a Nutshell
by Therapy in a Nutshell -Emma McAdam
Learn essential skills to improve your mental health with Licensed Therapist Emma McAdam. You’ll learn how to process your emotions, how to work through trauma, practical skills to resolve anxiety and depression, and how to improve your mental health overall. Real change is possible, you don’t have to just cope with anxiety and depression or PTSD, you can learn the skills to change your brain and change your life!.
Episodes
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Does the Body Actually Keep the Score? Misconceptions About Nervous System Dysregulation
Nervous system regulation has gotten oversimplified. Let’s clear up 3 big misconceptions about trauma, dysregulation, Polyvagal Theory, and healing. Learn the skills to regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Download of Figma chart:...
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How to Get Your Kid to Listen to You Evidence Based Parenting with Dr. Kat Green
If gentle parenting isn’t working for you, or you want to learn how to create healthy discipline for your kids, learn how to get your kid to listen to you with Dr. Kat Green. Sign up for my free Panic Attacks course https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/ending-panic-attacks-and-anxiety-attacks…
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7 Real-Life Strategies for RSD with ADHD expert Dr. Sharon Saline
Does an unanswered text or a small criticism send you into a spiral of “Nobody likes me” or “What’s wrong with me?” Rejection sensitivity can make real—or perceived—rejection feel intensely painful. Sign up for my free Panic Attacks course...
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Hypervigilance and Trauma- How to Get Your Brain to Shut Off
Trauma and hypervigilance keeping you from falling asleep? Learn why your mind won’t stop worrying—and simple ways to make it finally rest. Learn the skills to regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership If your brain won’t shut off at night,...
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Emotional Regulation - How to Actually Sit with Your Feelings
If you want to learn how to regulate your emotions, you have to learn the crucial emotional regulation skill of acceptance. Learn the skills to regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Free Course: Grounding Skills for Stress, Anxiety and…
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When You Feel Worthless
Depression, trauma and negative self-talk can leave you feeling worthless or struggling with low self-esteem. But you don’t have to feel depressed forever. Learn how to deal with feeling worthless with 6 practical things you can do to improve your self esteem. Check out the Membership...
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How I Dealt with Performance Anxiety (as an Anxiety Expert)
Performance anxiety? Learn how to overcome stage fright and anxiety with 7 practical strategies to stay calm, focused, and confident. Sign up for my free Panic Attacks course https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/ending-panic-attacks-and-anxiety-attacks Whether it’s public speaking, sports…
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The Profound Impact of Hormones in Women with ADHD
Hormones have a drastic impact on women with ADHD. Learn how estrogen and your cycle impact focus, mood, and why symptoms suddenly get worse. Learn the skills to regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Why do ADHD symptoms in women seem to...
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Overgeneralization -This Thinking Pattern Makes Everything Feel Worse
This CBT tool helps you stop overgeneralization, regulate emotions, and break negative thinking patterns with simple, practical tools. Check out our FREE How to Stop Panic and Anxiety Attacks course: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/ending-panic-attacks-and-anxiety-attacks Learn the skills…
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How to Get Started When You’re Drowning in Overwhelm - ADHD Friendly
Feeling overwhelmed and stuck? Learn how ADHD affects motivation—and 5 simple ways to get moving again when you feel overwhelmed and can’t get started. Learn the skills to regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Free Course: Grounding Skills...
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4 Essential Habits for Emotional Regulation
You can learn how to regulate your emotions by practicing these four skills. People who regulate emotions well don’t avoid feelings—they build habits that help them pause, process, and respond with intention. In this video, I’ll teach you 4 essential emotional regulation habits that emotionally...
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When You're Drowning in Overwhelm
Feeling overwhelmed or stuck in an emotional crisis? Learn 3 simple, practical tools to handle overwhelm, regain control, and move forward with confidence. Sign up for my free Panic Attacks course https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/ending-panic-attacks-and-anxiety-attacks What do you do when...
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The Biology of Trauma with Dr. Aimie Apigian
Trauma is stored in our body and our nervous system more than just in our minds. In this interview we discuss the biology of trauma and PTSD. Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership In this conversation, Dr. Aimie…
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6 Medical Conditions that Impact Mental Health, Depression, and Anxiety with Dr. Tracey Marks
Depression and anxiety can come from physical problems like thyroid, hormones, sleep, or nutrient deficiencies—learn the top medical causes to check for in this episode. Check out my membership here: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Here's Tracey's SHINE journal:...
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Why Anxious People Shouldn’t Use “Deep Breathing"
Deep breathing can worsen anxiety and trigger hyperventilation or panic attacks—learn why slow breathing with a longer exhale works better. Check out our FREE Grounding Skills course: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/grounding-skills-for-anxiety-stress-and-ptsd Check out our FREE How to…
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BONUS EPISODE: How to take Pyschedelics for Your Mental Health with Dr. Will Van Derveer and Mike Pesca
This week we’re sharing a special episode from our friends at How To!, the 2026 Ambie Award-nominated “Best Personal Growth Podcast” that’s back with a new host and new topics to fuel your curiosity. Each week on How To!, award-winning journalist Mike Pesca tackles a listener’s question – on…
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Micro Habits to Regulate Depression or Trauma (Shutdown Response)
Micro-habits to activate your nervous system and move out of dorsal vagal shutdown. Trauma-informed tools to reduce depression and climb the polyvagal ladder. Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, including "Change your Brain" join the membership:...
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Racial Trauma - The Impact of Racism on Mental Health with Ashley McGirt Adair
This conversation with Ashley McGirt-Adair explores the profound impact of racism and racial trauma on mental health, physical health, and overall well-being. We discuss systemic issues, personal stories, and actionable steps for healing and advocacy. Sign up for my free Grounding Skills course...
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4 Types of Overthinking and How to Stop Them - Worry, Intrusive Thoughts, Rumination, Over-Analyzing
Learn 4 skills to stop overthinking, rumination, worrying and over-analyzing. Overthinking can make you super anxious, but there are practical ways to stop it. Here is a link to my "How to Process Your Emotions" course: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/emotion-processing Learn the skills to...
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Meditation for Chronic Pain- Somatic Tracking Exercise to Replace Fear with Curiosity
If you have chronic pain including back pain you can benefit from this somatic tracking exercise from Alan Gordon’s Pain Reprocessing Therapy Pain Psychology Center: https://painpsychologycenter.com/ The Way Out of Chronic Pain, by Alan Gordon: https://a.co/d/6suF8CC Learn the skills to Regulate...
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How to Heal Attachment Wounds - Anxious or Avoidant Attachment styles w/ Jessica Baum
If you’ve ever wondered whether your attachment style is fixed, good news: it’s not. In this conversation with therapist and author Jessica Baum, LMHC (Anxiously Attached; SAFE), we unpack practical, step-by-step ways to heal attachment wounds, shift anxious attachment and avoidant patterns, and...
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3 Essential Strategies to Prevent Burnout - Slow Productivity Summary by Cal Newport
Burnout isn’t caused by doing too much—it’s caused by using stress as your limit. Learn 3 slow productivity shifts to work less and feel better. Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Looking for affordable online...
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Social Anxiety Skills That Actually Help w/ Dr. Deborah Dobson
Social Anxiety Explained with Dr. Deborah Dobson: Why Social Anxiety Feels So Intense and the Skills That Actually Help Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership In this conversation, Emma McAdam and Deb Dobson explore the...
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How To Be Less Reactive or Impulsive - The System that Actually Works
It can be hard to figure out how to change your life, stop impulsive behaviors and regulate your emotions. In this video I’ll teach you a system to do it effectively. Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Why can’t you...
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Healing Beam of Light Meditation for Energy, Warmth and Healing
Using this short meditation, visualize a healing beam of light helping you overcome hurt, giving you energy, and helping you heal. Sign up for my free Panic Attacks course https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/ending-panic-attacks-and-anxiety-attacks Sometimes when I’m feeling a little cold, or...
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Hidden Medical Issues that Mimic Depression and Anxiety
Depression and anxiety can come from physical problems like thyroid, hormones, sleep, or nutrient deficiencies—learn the top medical causes to check Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership How to Sleep Better Playlist:...
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6 Keys to get WAY MORE out of Therapy
Learn how to get the most out of therapy, how to choose the right therapist and how to know if therapy is right for you. Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership In this conversation, Emma McAdam and Barry Fell discuss how…
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How to Manage Chronic Pain- w/ Author Alan Gordon LCSW
Alan Gordon is the author of the Way Out, he developed and tested Pain Reprocessing Therapy as an evidence based treatment for Chronic Pain Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership In this engaging conversation, Alan and I...
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How Chronic Pain Gets Stuck in the Nervous System
Back pain and other chronic pain can be managed with pain reprocessing therapy. Alan Gordon’s book The Way Out can teach you how to retrain your brain to manage chronic pain The Pain Psychology Center: https://painpsychologycenter.com/ The Way Out book: https://a.co/d/053sW1L0 Chronic Pain...
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How IFS Works- Founder Dick Schwartz Therapizes Emma
Internal family systems Founder Richard Schwartz does an IFS therapy session with Emma McAdam, we work with her inner critic and Self in IFS Sign up for my free Panic Attacks course https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/ending-panic-attacks-and-anxiety-attacks In this conversation, Emma McAdam...
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How to Rewrite the Stories That Make You Anxious, Angry, or Depressed
Learn how the stories you tell yourself fuel anxiety, depression, and triggers—and discover practical skills like cognitive defusion to rewrite your life. Free worksheet: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/opt-in-4a614f1a-99a9-46dd-b2e4-69e58990c7ea Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions,...
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How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
Want to learn how to stop comparing yourself to others? Jealousy is often seen as negative, but you can learn to deal with jealousy through curiosity and values work. Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Sign up for my...
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The Neuroscience of ADHD and Emotional Dysregulation
If you have ADHD and your emotions feel overwhelming, fast, or hard to control—you’re not broken, lazy, or “too sensitive.” In this episode of Therapy in a Nutshell, I explain the brain science behind ADHD and emotional dysregulation—including delayed prefrontal cortex development, dopamine and...
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High-Functioning Depression w/ Research Psychiatrist Dr. Judith Joseph
High Functioning Depression looks like coping with depression by keeping busy and distracting yourself with overwork. Learn 5 ways to overcome depression in this interview w/ Dr. Judith Joseph Learn the skills to regulate your Emotions, join the membership:...
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Is Choline the Missing Link in Anxiety? Let’s Look at the Data
New research shows people with anxiety have lower choline in the brain. What choline does and is choline a good supplement for anxiety Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Break the Anxiety Cycle in 30 days:...
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The Life-Changing Power of Making Repairs w/ Dr. Sarah Michaud
Making amends, making repairs is even more powerful than self forgiveness or self-compassion. When you learn to fix the harms you've caused you can truly find emotional freedom. Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership…
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How to Actually Change Your Life- You Need a System, Not a Goal
Stop relying on goals that fail. Learn how tiny habits, systems, and 1% improvements create real, lasting change for mental health, motivation, and daily life. Sign up for my free Panic Attacks course https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/ending-panic-attacks-and-anxiety-attacks Tired of setting...
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Medical Trauma - How to heal when your body is a trigger w/ Dr. Christen Mullane
Many people experience trauma not from accidents or violence—but from medical events. ICU stays, surgery, birth trauma, or even routine procedures can leave lasting emotional wounds. In this conversation, Emma McAdam (Therapy in a Nutshell) and Christen Mullane, LMHC, unpack what medical trauma...
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7 Micro Habits to Escape the Freeze Response - Polyvagal Tools for Depression & Burnout
7 micro habits to escape the freeze response, climb the polyvagal ladder, boost energy, heal burnout, and get unstuck from dorsal vagal shutdown and depression. Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership If you feel sluggish,...
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Mapping your Parts- This IFS Exercise Can Help You Heal Trauma
Mapping your parts is a powerful exercise from Internal Family Systems IFS to heal from trauma Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Today we’re going to do something a little different. We’re going to do an exercise…
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The Freeze, Appease or Fawn Response to Sexual Violence
Your nervous system has a built-in Freeze and Appease response to manage the threat of sexual assault, aka the Fawn response. Learn to forgive yourself and train to respond differently. Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership:...
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What is IFS? No Bad Parts Book Summary - Trauma Therapy
Book summary of No Bad Parts written by Richard Schwartz, it's an introduction to Internal Family Systems model aka IFS Therapy. Sign up for my free Panic Attacks course https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/ending-panic-attacks-and-anxiety-attacks Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions…
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How to "Lean In" to Feelings - Anxiety Meditation w/ Thomas McConkie
Have you ever felt more anxious when you've tried to calm down? Learn how to lean in to feelings with acceptance and meditation expert Thomas McConkie. Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Check out Thomas' School:...
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Rebuilding Healthy Attachment Relationships after Childhood Trauma or CPTSD
Childhood Trauma has long-lasting impacts on relationships and attachment. But you can learn to build healthy attachment even with CPTSD or Complex PTSD. Sign up for my free Panic Attacks course https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/ending-panic-attacks-and-anxiety-attacks Childhood trauma…
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Why do I feel so numb? Why can't I cry? Working through Emotional Numbing and Dissociation
Emotional numbing and dissociation is often a response to trauma, grief or loss. You might feel empty, dead inside, or like you can't cry. Numbness is a common symptom of PTSD. Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership check...
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Trauma Fueled Nightmares and Night Terrors with PTSD
Learn how to stop nightmares and night terrors in adults, understand PTSD-related sleep issues, and get practical treatment tips for better rest and recovery. Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership What’s the difference...
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Improving Body Image w/ a Somatic Approach, and Deb Schachter
Let's talk about body image and how to stop comparing yourself to other in this interview with author Deb Schachter. Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Rethinking Body Image from a Somatic Perspective with Deb…
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Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving by Pete Walker -Book Summary About Healing Childhood Trauma
Childhood trauma can turn into CPTSD which has pervasive symptoms throughout your life, but you can learn to heal from childhood trauma. Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Emotional Flashbacks video:...
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6 Deep and Lasting Ways to Improve Your Self-Esteem
Boost self-esteem with 6 practices to transform self-talk, build self-worth, and align your life with purpose, integrity, and authentic confidence. Sign up for my free Panic Attacks course https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/ending-panic-attacks-and-anxiety-attacks Low self-esteem can feel…
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Connectability with Anna Runkle
How to have healthy relationships after CPTSD or Childhood Trauma. Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership You can learn how to build healthy relationships after childhood trauma or CPTSD. Today we talk with Anna Runkle,...
About this show
Learn essential skills to improve your mental health with Licensed Therapist Emma McAdam. You’ll learn how to process your emotions, how to work through trauma, practical skills to resolve anxiety and depression, and how to improve your mental health overall. Real change is possible, you don’t have to just cope with anxiety and depression or PTSD, you can learn the skills to change your brain and change your life!.
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Therapy in a Nutshell -Emma McAdam
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