How to Stop Overthinking: Master the ACT Skill of Cognitive Defusion 13/30

Check out Smile Brilliant: Influencer&utm_medium=Night Guards&utm_campaign=Daily&utm_id=Therapy in a Nutshell Check out the full course Break the Anxiety Cycle in 30 days here: Discovering how to stop overthinking begins with the realization that trying to force our thoughts to change only amplifies them. This video introduces the ACT technique of cognitive defusion, a pivotal concept for those seeking to learn how to stop overthinking. Instead of wrestling with our thoughts and overthinking potential outcomes, cognitive defusion teaches us to observe our thoughts without attachment. By labeling and noticing thoughts as just thoughts, we learn how to stop overthinking by distancing ourselves from these mental processes, thus reducing their impact. Knowing how to stop overthinking doesn’t mean engaging in a struggle with our inner dialogue, but rather, shifting our attention to what truly aligns with our values, freeing us from the tiresome cycle of overthinking. This skill, central to understanding how to stop overthinking, requires practice to master, but can ultimately guide us to a more present and less anxiety-driven existence. 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: Learn more in one of my in-depth mental health courses: Support my mission on Patreon: Sign up for my newsletter: ?utm_medium=YTDescription&utm_source=YouTube Check out my favorite self-help books: Check out my podcast, Therapy in a Nutshell: 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 If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or your local emergency services. Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC