The Sensitivity Doctor

The Science of Being Stuck: When It Helps and When It Hurts with Britt Frank

Episode Summary

In this illuminating and refreshingly real conversation, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with licensed therapist and author Britt Frank to unpack the science of stuckness. Together, they explore what it really means to feel stuck from the neuroscience behind it to the practical tools that help us move forward. With warmth, humour, and powerful personal insight, Britt reframes stuckness as a protective function of the nervous system, not a personal failure. Whether you’re feeling creatively blocked, emotionally overwhelmed, or caught in a repeating life pattern, Britt offers tangible strategies to help you interrupt mental loops, identify small “micro-yeses” that build momentum, and reconnect with your own internal wisdom. This conversation will leave you feeling validated, resourced, and empowered to move—one small step at a time.

Episode Notes

Key takeaways:

• Stuckness isn’t a character flaw—it’s a nervous system response designed to protect you.
• Asking “Why am I like this?” often reinforces paralysis. Ask instead: “What small yes can I offer myself right now?”
• Micro-yeses—tiny, manageable actions—help bypass overwhelm and gently re-engage the brain.
• Your brain’s safety system (fight, flight, freeze) will override logic when it perceives a threat—even if that threat is emotional or invisible.
• Internal Family Systems (IFS) shows us that even our most sabotaging behaviours come from protective parts with good intentions.
• Unprocessed grief is often hidden beneath stuckness—learning to grieve (not just loss, but change) is key to healing.
• Letting go of your agenda (especially in relationships or therapy) can create space for authentic change.
• Tools like body doubling and pattern disruption are simple, effective, and backed by neuroscience.
• Assume your brain is on your side—even if it’s not doing what you want right now.

Connect with Britt Frank:

Website - https://www.brittfrank.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brittfrank/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittfrankmsw/