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

Aug 1, 2024

Discover how to tackle mental blocks that hinder motivation, especially when facing anxiety and depression. A licensed therapist shares personal stories of perseverance and support from high school running experiences. Learn about behavioral activation, a strategy that encourages small, positive actions to break the cycle of depression, illustrated with a fun ice cream analogy. This insightful discussion empowers listeners to engage in beneficial activities, fostering personal growth and well-being.

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Breaking Mental Blocks and Finding Motivation

00:00 • 2min

Breaking the Cycle of Depression through Behavioral Activation

01:58 • 11min

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, with behavioral activation.

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Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are 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. In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger Institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction.

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