Episode 239 · Therapy in a Nutshell
Micro Habits to Regulate Depression or Trauma (Shutdown Response)
8 May 2026 · 16 min
Episode notes
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: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership If you’re feeling shut down, stuck in depression, or trapped in a trauma freeze response — this episode is for you. In this Therapy in a Nutshell episode, Emma McAdam, LMFT, teaches 9 tiny “micro-habits” you can use to activate your nervous system, move out of dorsal vagal shutdown, and climb…
Podcast
Therapy in a Nutshell
Therapy in a Nutshell -Emma McAdam · Health · English
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…
More from Therapy in a Nutshell All episodes →
-
E257 · 12 Jun 2026 · 19 min
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 you feel completely overwhelmed—like life is piling on faster than you can handle it? Whether you're facing daily overwhelm or a full emotional crisis, this episode will walk you through practical, research-backed tools to help you regain control and move forward. In this Therapy in a Nutshell-style…
-
E236 · 5 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
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 discusses the biology of trauma, emphasizing the physiological responses that occur in the body during traumatic experiences. She explains the differences between stress and trauma, the role of the nervous system, and how chronic trauma can lead to various health issues. The discussion also covers practical…
-
E246 · 29 May 2026 · 47 min
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: https://mentalwellnessspace.store/products/transformation-journal-volume-1 You can find Tracey’s journal here: https://mentalwellnessspace.store/products/transformation-journal-volume-1?srsltid=AfmBOoqyGDJRZpv9YxTWqwzn2bgW3WVsTYQrxQOGwHXP6U1J8tJArd8o Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp,…
-
E250 · 22 May 2026 · 7 min
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 Stop Panic and Anxiety Attacks course: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/ending-panic-attacks-and-anxiety-attacks Learn the skills to regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp,…
-
E255 · 15 May 2026 · 43 min
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 topics ranging from travel and finance to health and relationships – with help from world-class experts who actually know what they're talking about. Think of it as eavesdropping on someone else's therapy session, without the co-pay or awkward silence. And today, we’re sharing their recent episode “How…
-
E253 · 1 May 2026 · 41 min
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 https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/grounding-skills-for-anxiety-stress-and-ptsd You can find more information about my guest on this episode at: https://www.ashleymcgirt.com Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort…
-
E254 · 24 Apr 2026 · 22 min
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 regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership 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:…
-
E238 · 17 Apr 2026 · 11 min
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 your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership ⚠️ Important note: This exercise is intended for people whose pain has been medically evaluated and is not caused by active injury, infection, fracture, or disease. Pain Reprocessing Therapy does not replace medical…
-
E224 · 10 Apr 2026 · 50 min
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 build secure attachment—in real relationships, not just in your head. Learn the skills to regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the…
-
E248 · 3 Apr 2026 · 20 min
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 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 courses: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com Therapy in a…
