Solution-Focused Approach: Helping Others Through Positive Goals: Depression Skills #5

Have you ever tried to "just stop it"? How'd that work for you?

When our attempts to change ourselves focus on removing a negative, we often fail. Problem-based approaches make things worse. In this segment from my online course How to Help, I teach how to change that cycle by setting positive goals. This means focusing on what you want, instead of what you don't want. Working toward your valued direction and pairing yourself with resources and support can be more helpful in overcoming weaknesses than simply trying to make your weaknesses go away.

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
----

[sapphireblue]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I will work on this insaalllah!! Hopefully I'll start feeling more positive. The past few days have been nothing short of depressing. Barely any productivity, and I felt more and more worse. But this might really help. Thanks a lot!!!

[jelenajelena]

Thank you very much! I'm trying to help my brother, I'm making a list of the things I want to do with him or speak with him about, I really hope I will help him overcome anxiety and depression and help him to gain self-confidence. You are motivating me to not give up and your advices are really helpful!

[tom-nwi]

mental filtering and magnification of what "not" to do wastes too much energy and makes us feel depressed and tired rather than putting energy purposefully toward things that bring us joy.

[krisg]

I LOVE you. Your explanations and approach is so understanding and humorous and gentle!! I always feel ready to take on the world. Thanks!!!!

[IAm-qfxb]

Thank you Miss Emma, you are wonderful:))

[sophepapakon]

Thank you very much for this video! God bless you!

[priusa]

Hi Mrs Nutshell ( sorry don’t know your name), how can I work with u please?! Thank you very much ❤❤❤❤

[tom-nwi]

soccer... Used to ski race.. when skiing in the woods, "dont hit the trees... dosnt work.." You have to look at where you need to go.. not where you dont need to go. Otherwise you're expending all your mental energy focusing on what not to do rather than what to do. Just too much mental juggling.