Neuroplasticity: Change How You Feel by Changing How You Think 16/30

Neuroplasticity: Change How You Feel

Get the course: How to Process Your Emotions

How to change how you think:
You were born with a brain wired for change. Research and imaging technology have demonstrated that when you change how you use your brain, you can actually change the physical structure of your brain, and you can change your brain chemistry. This is called neuroplasticity: neuro meaning brain and plasticity meaning flexible or changeable.

When you change how you think, you can physically change your brain's structure and chemistry. And that means that when you change how you think, you can change how you feel.

Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC, 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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[mohammedalshannat]

I am from Gaza. I can't afford therapy. Your videos are helping me to cope with the difficulties I face in Gaza. Thank you for helping the underdogs, Emma!

[totowashere]

I think it's brene brown who said: What would happen if I tell you that everyone is doing their very best? Your annoying coworker, your addicted neighbor, the guy who takes 20 minutes to order donuts. What would change if you'd assume they are doing their utmost? And do you have that assumption in your daily life? And then her husband said: I don't know if that's true or not, but my life is better if I do believe everyone's doing their very best. (of course she said it much more elegantly)

[trinityalps]

As an example of neuroplasticity.... I had a traumatic brain injury six years back.Among the myriad of challenges I faced, one of the most basic was that I needed to learn to retrain my self to walk. I used hiking poles to walk everywhere for the first few months as per my neuropsychologist. The left pole with the right foot, heel first then round to the ball of the foot. Right pole with left foot, heel first then round to the ball of the foot. At first I couldn't walk more than a few feet, but practice along with other balance exercises and eye tracking exercises and within two years I could walk several blocks. Now I can walk longer distances without poles. I'm up to three miles with poles and a mile without. I do 'refresher courses' for a month at a time to keep my training permanent because my memory systems were damaged. IT WORKS!!!

[crzydreamr]

“Neurons that fire together— WIRE together!

[laurabeaudry]

Thank you for your contribution to the field of therapy! I am a therapist. I prescribe your videos as homework😊 You have an incredible way of distilling complicated brain science into easily digestible information that anyone can use to better their lives. Thank you again for your hard work and dedication to helping humans live their best lives❤️

[HaMou]

Thanks for the free content.
This is gold for a lot of people.

[Maxhindle]

Neuroplasticity really is a fascinating concept and proof that you have the power within to take control back in your life! It’s not easy but it sure is worth it ❤️❤️❤️

[florinmatthew]

Fun fact: this morning I was pretty anxious; my mind told me I’ll never be free from (problematic) anxiety; felt weak, stomach sickness, depressed. Took a short walk in the neighborhood while paying attention to that stupid thought. Realized that Hey if I have this thought, does this means I’ll never be free from this state? How much power this thought have? Answer is 0. In the next few seconds, felt really great, energized, free and happy. Realized I can and I am actually free even if some sort of anxiety is there. So, always pay attention to your thoughts. Don’t ignore them, listen and check for the truth. You actually can’t detach from these negative thoughts (as other approaches tells us to just ignore them) if u don’t dispute them and check their validity . Your brain will always bring u these if not resolved.

[aldralee]

I really appreciate your calm, practical delivery (for lack of a better phrase). I find it difficult to watch some therapy-related content because the presenters will become overly dramatic. It’s so refreshing (and helpful!) to have these tools presented in a calm, rational manner. It emphasizes that all of this work is “doable.”

[carolthorne]

I’m suffering from crippling anxiety and panic. I have weekly therapy but find Emma’s videos so helpful. It’s very hard to change the way I think but I am trying. Thank you Emma for making these videos available to all and free.

[rebeccaoprea]

I just did 10 weeks of therapy and it felt great .

[nas]

Neuroplasticity is so interesting to me! I’m feeling really anxious and although I’ve come a long way, the feeling of anxiety and how much I feel unsafe and in danger always seems to trip me up. Teaching myself I’m safe and I’ll get through this takes a lot of self convincing

[amyruble]

Thank you thank you! My budget doesn't allow me to have therapy ar the moment. You ARE my therapy and I feel that you are my therapist until I can once again afford it. Your videos are extremely helpful and I wish you great success!

[andreeabelciu]

I am half way through. With my notebook and a desire to be better . I am passing these to my 16 yrs old daughter because she has panic attacks in school and sometimes at home in the night. I really appreciate this free help. I am living in one income, 6 ppl, newly immigrated to a new country, studying to be able to get a job. THANK YOU. It was the best and most clear and well structured piece of advise online I could find. 💌❤

[rasmokey]

Sounds like the advice of--- "lower your expectations and you won't be as disappointed with people"!

[Jocelyn_Jade]

One way to do this is making tiny promises to yourself every day. A future self journal helps.

[hparamesh]

I understand it intellectually but practically it’s very difficult to get rid of those negative neural pathways

[patriciamoffitt]

I learn more from you than my own therapists, past and present. You explain terminology with ease and I get excited for change! Thank you!

[cliveworth]

I am a 72 year old retied coal miner and on my own like I was during the year long miners strike after my first divorce Had another divorce since then and now what kept me happy during the strike was that I was day dreaming how I would get all that I want, never did but it kept me happy and I do the same now, just spend my days day dreaming they may never come true but my day dreams keeps me happy.

[stellabythesea]

I’m all over this. I’ll be with you through this series. Can’t wait. Thank you for sharing your expertise 🥰