The Healing Power of Gratitude: Change Your Brain

In this video I’m going to teach you how gratitude changes the brain, as well as some really simple ways to practice gratitude to be happier and healthier.

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.

About Me:
I’m Emma McAdam. I’m a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and I have worked in various settings of change and growth since 2004. My experience includes juvenile corrections, adventure therapy programs, wilderness therapy programs, an eating disorder treatment center, a residential treatment center, and I currently work in an outpatient therapy clinic.

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.

Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC
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[lorididier]

You are absolutely, by far, my favorite YouTuber. You are making a real difference in people’s lives, including mine. Thank you.

[cassieoz]

Im being treated for cancer and my future is limited. On my last day, I will be able to say "I have loved and been loved by, wonderful people". Nothing I have done or seen, nowhere I have been, nothing I have owned, can outshine that.

[SomethingSomewhereJustOnce]

I am grateful that I have access to such knowledge when I'm in stress. I'm grateful that God made people like you help make this world a better place.

[debarshisaha]

I am grateful that I found this channel .

[micheletweedy]

Gratitude is HUGE. I took a year to journal 1, 000 blessings. That seemingly simple exercise forced me to value little things like the sounds of leaves blowing in the wind or things I had taken for granted like a warm shower. Expressing gratitude more often most definitely shifted my mindset and I have felt much more peace and joy because if it.

[scarlet]

Gratitude has really changed the way I feel about everything in my life. I'm poor, I had to thrift my child's Christmas, I can't buy myself nice things and new clothes, but I am happy. Stuff is meaningless.

[designanddirection]

I personally avoid social media - too costly to self esteem/ well being.
Why not pray - send your gratitude to god.

[gratitude-theory]

My parents were missionaries in Burundi, Africa, during my early years. In the mid-1960's Corrie Ten Boom did a speaking tour in Burundi, and our family was chosen to host her. I was too young to remember her visit, but my oldest sister, Judy, told me that Corrie made a huge impact on my mom, encouraging her and just letting her know how special she was for doing God's work in Africa. In praise of fleas. If not for those fleas, the guards could have done terrible things to the women in the barracks. What a blessing Corrie was, and what a blessing you are for the real work that you do to help save lives. Thank you, Emma!

[jillherringshaw]

Thank you for sharing from Corrie’s story. When Betsy died, Corrie located her body. She and another woman were awestruck by the beautiful, peaceful look on Betsy’s face as she lay amongst the corpses. A miracle in light of the starvation and severe illness she had suffered in the camp. Speaking of gratitude, I am grateful for this channel. I learn so much from you, Emma.

[lilbit]

I am grateful for all the things i take for granted, on a daily basis.

[JaneNewAuthor]

I've been practising gratitude and appreciation for a while now. It's changed my life, very much for the better.

We live in a world of such beauty, of so many miracles.

Today I saw a flurry of snow! Very rare where I live.

[thechaoticblissofmotherhoo]

I love listing to myself 10 things I am grateful for at bedtime. I also love sharing with my partner one thing a day we are grateful for about the other.

[deanneparis]

She has been my hero since I read 'The Hiding Place' when I was in the fifth grade. Betsy just amazed me with her attitude!

[theresawalton]

Today I am going to start writing down things I am grateful for. There are so many things in my life that deserve moments of gratefulness. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and talking about the scientific aspects of gratefulness.

[Hamza-GH-Hofmann]

Thank you very much! -
Every morning I write down at least three things I am or could be grateful for. Despite not always feeling like it, I "act-as-if". - For example: Despite being separated from the five children and only seeing two of them on a regular basis, I am very grateful for their health, their wits, their capabilities, even their new family and surroundings with a new father. And grateful to have so gifted and well children. - Although I miss them very much.
- [Comment: as a nurse I have seen so many ill children in forty years, diseases that do not even have a name yet. Health, we tend to take it for granted. It isn't.]

[susangarrity]

I'm grateful to you for the energy you put into giving free assistance to those of us in need.

And your littles are too cute. How lucky to have such a mentally healthy home to grow up in. ❤️

[chocojavachip]

I heard you say that you set an alarm for 5:00 pm every day to note what you’re grateful for, so I did the same thing....set a daily reminder to go off at 5:00 pm saying “daily gratitude”. I’m always able to find something to be thankful for.

[lc]

What a beautiful family.
As a survivor of childhood abuse and neglect with CPTSD, I thank my little parts frequently for being with me and for working with me to help us learn positive ways of dealing with life.

[cryskiiim]

From a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset...so good!

[hanoapuaa]

I get really sad sometimes because I feel I’m financially unstable as a father. Trying to get bills done and thinking of my kids while others in my family alter my outlook. I’m trying to be better and more grateful. Thanks for the vid