
Therapy in a Nutshell
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
Latest episodes

Oct 19, 2023 • 15min
10 Medical Conditions that Mimic Anxiety: Anxiety Course Day 10
Explore the connection between untreated syphilis and mental illness, as well as imbalanced mineral levels and OCD. Address the importance of treating underlying physical conditions before focusing solely on therapy or medication. Learn about medical conditions such as heart and breathing difficulties, blood sugar issues, chronic inflammation, hormonal problems, traumatic brain injuries, medication side effects, substance use and abuse, ADHD, autism, and PTSD that can mimic anxiety. Discover the challenges of differentiating between physical conditions and anxiety, and the connection between physical and mental health.

Oct 12, 2023 • 11min
Letting Go of Shame as an HSP Highly Sensitive Person: Anxiety Course Day 9
Explore the concept of shame and sensitivity, the value of sensitivity and empathy in society, and the gifts of highly sensitive persons. Embrace and understand being a highly sensitive person, challenge cultural shame, and promote self-reflection.

Oct 5, 2023 • 16min
What Causes Anxiety Disorders: Anxiety Course Day 8
Explore the causes of anxiety disorders and the factors that contribute to them, including genetics, brain structure, traumatic experiences, and social environment. Learn about neuroplasticity and the potential for therapy to decrease anxiety-related brain changes. Understand the role of emotional memory and strategies to rewire the brain for decreased anxiety. Discover the multi-factorial nature of anxiety and the importance of a biopsychosocial approach. Embrace unique traits and adopt a growth mindset to manage anxiety.

Sep 29, 2023 • 13min
How the Medical Model creates Learned Helplessness: Anxiety Course Day 7
This podcast challenges the belief that mental health diagnoses are permanent genetic traits and explores the treatability of many conditions. It discusses the limitations of the medical model in mental health, introduces the bio-psychosocial model, and highlights effective treatments for depression and anxiety. The idea that a mental health diagnosis is not permanent is explored, encouraging individuals to reduce symptoms and explore treatment options. It also emphasizes that mental illness is not laziness or a moral failure, but a lack of resources, and encourages flexibility in labels and multiple treatment options.

Sep 21, 2023 • 14min
The 7 Types of Anxiety Disorders - Anxiety Course Day 6
This podcast explores the 7 types of anxiety disorders listed in the DSM-5 TR and emphasizes the importance of accurate identification. It debunks myths surrounding anxiety disorders and highlights the treatability of these conditions. The chapters provide an overview of each anxiety disorder, touch on different treatment approaches, and stress the importance of seeking professional help.

20 snips
Sep 14, 2023 • 15min
The Surprising Symptom of Depression- Anger and Irritability
In this podcast, they discuss how anger and irritability can be surprising symptoms of depression, particularly in children and teens. The episode explores the manifestation of anger in individuals with depression, the impacts of depression and anger, and strategies for managing depression and supporting someone with anger.

Sep 7, 2023 • 18min
Willingness - Anxiety Course Day 5
Learn the power of willingness in managing anxiety and breaking the anxiety cycle. Explore the concept of willingness and its importance in overcoming anxiety. Reflect on shifting perceptions through observing a painting. Embrace discomfort and practice willingness to break unhealthy coping mechanisms. Discover how practicing willingness can improve your life and help you deal with anxiety.

5 snips
Sep 1, 2023 • 21min
Avoidance - Anxiety Course Day 4
The podcast explores the role of avoidance in chronic anxiety, breaking free from the anxiety cycle, different forms of avoidance such as procrastination and perfectionism, and the importance of facing painful memories with a therapist to alleviate fear.

Aug 29, 2023 • 39min
Bonus Episode: Trichotillomania with Michael Twohig
Michael Twohig counseling and resources: https://junipermh.com/
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
Support my mission on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/therapyinanutshell
Sign up for my newsletter: https://www.therapyinanutshell.com
Check out my favorite self-help books: https://kit.co/TherapyinaNutshell/best-self-help-books
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.
And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/believe
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

4 snips
Aug 25, 2023 • 20min
Rewiring Anxiety - Anxiety Course Day 3
Discover the power of facing fears and how it can break the cycle of anxiety. Learn about rewiring anxiety by facing fears head-on and how it can make the threat assessment system more accurate. Hear a harrowing story of a close encounter with a moose and the body's response to anxiety. Explore the anxiety cycle and the key to breaking it.