Money stress isn’t really about money.
It’s about the identity-level beliefs running underneath.

In this episode of The Shift Show, Andrea sits down with Jenae White, Registered Provisional Psychologist at ShiftGrit’s Calgary studio, and Crystal Taylor, Financial Planner and Wealth Management Consultant. Together, they explore why smart, capable people still feel overwhelmed by money—overspending, shutting down, avoiding statements, over-saving, or never feeling “ahead.”

You can’t discipline or budget your way out of a threat response.
Financial knowledge matters, but it doesn’t stick when the nervous system is activated by beliefs like:

“I am falling behind.”
“I am not in control.”
“I am at risk.”
“I do not deserve.”

When these beliefs trigger, the threat system hijacks decision-making. That’s why your logical mind knows the plan, but your behaviour doesn’t follow it. The team explains how early experiences shape these patterns and why money becomes a lightning rod for stress, shame, and avoidance.

You’ll hear examples from therapy and financial planning—Calgarians feeling pressure to “keep up,” families stuck in financial enmeshment, individuals dealing with guilt or underspending, and couples in avoidance cycles.

In This Episode:

• The psychology of financial overwhelm
How freeze, fawn, and over-functioning create repeating patterns.

• Why Calgarians feel “behind.”
How comparison and pressure fuel anxiety.

• Beliefs that drive money behaviours
Why beliefs influence choices more than budgeting.

• Why avoidance gives relief but long-term stress
The brain prioritizes short-term safety.

• How therapy and planning work together
Regulation creates capacity; strategy creates direction.

• Why patterns aren’t about intelligence or willpower
Knowledge isn’t enough when the threat system is active.

Key Quotes

“People think they have money problems. They actually have threat-system problems.” — Andrea
“The belief ‘I’m falling behind’ is the engine of so many decisions.” — Jenae
“You can’t budget your way out of a belief.” — Crystal

Identity-Level Therapy for Money Stress

At ShiftGrit, we don’t treat “money issues.” We work with the identity patterns driving emotional reactions to money. Once the belief layer is regulated, clients often report feeling calmer and more grounded.

Identity-Level Therapy helps clients:
• regulate the nervous system
• reduce shame and avoidance
• understand overwhelm
• recondition beliefs
• align actions with long-term goals

It’s not about willpower.
It’s about removing the patterns fighting against it.

🔗 Explore the Episode + Watch the Video

Watch the video and play the full episode here:
👉 https://shiftgrit.com/shift-show/mind-over-money-limiting-beliefs-financial-anxiety/

If You’re in Calgary

Explore how structured, transparent therapy works at the identity level:
👉 Calgary Therapy: What Most People Don’t Know When Choosing a Psychologist

Jenae White, R. Provisional Psychologist – ShiftGrit Calgary
Profile: https://shiftgrit.com/therapists/jenae-white/

Crystal Taylor – Holden & Taylor Advisory Group
Website: https://holdentaylorfinancial.ca/about/
Instagram: @taylord_advisor

Endless scrolling, compulsive clicking, and dopamine-driven distraction—sound familiar? In this episode, Andrea McTague and Alberto Medeiros unpack the reality of internet addiction and how modern tech subtly hijacks our minds. They explore how screen time disrupts sleep, relationships, emotional health, and productivity—often without us realizing it. Drawing from neuroscience and real-life therapy insights, they examine the psychological mechanics behind our digital habits and offer actionable strategies to break free. Whether you're seeking focus and connection, or just want to understand your phone cravings, this is your wake-up call.

📥 Download our free Digital Detox Guide:
The-Ultimate-Digital-Reset-Guide-ShiftGrit.pdf

📺 Watch the full video version & read the extended summary:
shiftgrit.com/shift-show

🌐 Learn more about ShiftGrit Psychology & Counselling:
shiftgrit.com

📘 Explore local Calgary counselling resources:
calgarypsychology.info

Summary

In this episode, Andrea McTague and Mateo Sestito explore the complexities of trauma, its impact on the brain, and how early experiences shape our responses to life. They discuss the difference between disturbances and trauma, the role of limiting beliefs, and the importance of social connections in coping with trauma. The conversation emphasizes the potential for trauma to be transformed into strength and resilience through understanding and therapy. Listeners are encouraged to embrace change and recognize that trauma does not have to define their lives.

Takeaways

Trauma can shape our identity but does not have to define us.
Understanding the brain's response to trauma is crucial for healing.
Disturbances can be just as impactful as major traumas.
Early experiences play a significant role in shaping our beliefs.
Coping mechanisms can be identified and transformed.
Social connections can buffer the effects of trauma.
Incremental exposure can help desensitize traumatic responses.
Therapy can facilitate the removal of limiting beliefs.
Empowerment comes from understanding the roots of our behaviours.
Trauma can lead to resilience and strength when processed effectively.

Titles

Navigating the Complexities of Trauma
Transforming Trauma into Strength

Sound Bites

"Can trauma be beneficial?"
"Understanding the why calms us down."
"Trauma is not a life sentence."

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Trauma and Its Storage in the Brain
17:52 Identifying and Coping with Limiting Beliefs
22:38 Factors Influencing Coping Mechanisms
32:36 Unexpected Outcomes of Removing Limiting Beliefs
38:25 Incremental Exposure and Desensitization
43:24 Understanding Avoidance and Its Impact
48:42 The Dual Nature of Trauma
53:49 Perfectionism and Its Consequences
58:59 Empowerment Through Understanding