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Hypnotherapy and Panic Disorder | Boca Raton, FL

More often than not, when people consider panic, it’s in regard to stimuli that result in a physical reaction, such as a panic attack. Many people experience at least one panic attack during their life, but panic disorder is a prolonged experience.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause… if you’ve had recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and spent long periods in constant fear of another attack, you may have a condition called panic disorder.”

Symptoms

The symptoms of a panic attack include but are not limited to shaking, feeling disorientated, nausea, rapid heartbeats, dry mouth, breathlessness, and sweating. At the moment that this occurs, a panic attack can be alleviated through slow, deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth. As noted above, many people are likely to experience this sensation, but it’s the prolonged experience of living in fear of another attack that defines panic disorder. Panic disorder, unfortunately, cannot necessarily be alleviated in this way. That’s where hypnotherapy can help.

How hypnotherapy can help

Hypnotherapy works to reduce the likelihood that an individual may experience a panic attack by addressing the subconscious reasons why it may occur in the first place. I work with you to understand the unique behavioral patterns and triggers that are stimulated when your mind is under stress. Once that has been assessed, we can begin to replace these with more appropriate responses, allowing you to regain control of your reactions. In time, stressors will begin to feel less overwhelming, you will be able to practice these methods in your daily life, and begin to avert panic attacks altogether.

For 30 years, I have helped thousands of patients who struggle with panic disorder overcome their symptoms, and begin to live a life free of the symptoms they experience. If you would like to learn more about this practice or would like to schedule a free consultation appointment, visit us online or call our office today at (561) 377-1039.

Dr. Eimer proudly serves patients in Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, and surrounding areas.

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Weight Management Hypnosis | Boca Raton, FL

Hypnosis for weight management may seem like an odd concept, but my methods are designed to retrain the unconscious mind. Our unconscious mind is what drives our habitual, imagined, and desired actions. If you have tried alternative methods to help reduce your weight or stop habitually eating the foods you crave but need to limit, hypnosis may be a valuable tool for you.

It is important to understand why retraining the unconscious mind works to actively change your desires, imagination and habits for long lasting effects. The following is a breakdown of the rationale behind the use of hypnosis to reduce cravings. 

If you struggle with your weight, it’s likely your willpower in the present is at odds with your imagination. When our perspective is centered around “I can’t eat this”, it actually fuels your desire for that food – it intensifies desire which feeds the imagination. And reciprocally, the imagination fuels desire. The unconscious mind does not distinguish between desire and action.

One of principles of Habit Change is that when the willpower is contested with the imagination, imagination always wins the contest. So, the key is to change your unconscious mind’s perspective – to shift it from “I can’t eat this unhealthy food” to “I want this healthy food”. 

My Weight Reduction Hypnosis Program is designed to make it easy for you to replace your unhealthy food cravings with healthy eating habits. The program is effective because the hypnotic suggestions I prepare for you are in the precise language your unconscious understands. I give you these individualized suggestions while you are “in hypnosis” and when you are “out of hypnosis” (in a slightly different form). Your unconscious then recognizes these suggestions as being fitting and familiar. It feels as if you gave these suggestions to yourself. And the fact is that after an effective hypnotherapy session with me, you will! This makes acting on the suggestions prepared specially for you so very natural and easy.

Through hypnosis, I can guide you to reprogram your unconscious mind. An initial consultation will allow me to understand who you are, your weight loss journey, your motivation for change and any hinderances to your ability to succeed. I then design a hypnosis plan of treatment specifically for you, so we can retrain the aspects of your unconscious that have been the biggest hinderance to your ability to lose the weigh and keep it off.

For 30 years, I have helped thousands of patients who struggle with weight loss retrain their unconscious mind. If you would like to learn more about my practice, or if you would like to schedule a free consultation appointment, visit us at www.BruceEimer.com or call our office today at (561) 377-1039.

I, Dr. Bruce Eimer, proudly serve patients in the areas of Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth, Wellington, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, and surrounding areas.

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How Hypnosis Helps with Depression | Boca Raton, FL

Depression is defined as “feelings of severe despondency and dejection.” It typically causes individuals to slow or shut down their everyday normal functions, and many people will experience depression in their lifetimes. Hypnosis can be an effective means of helping individuals cope with many types of depression by providing a means of modifying deeply felt negative beliefs about oneself. Hypnosis goes deeper than cognitive therapies or CBT because hypnosis addresses the Unconscious Mind where these beliefs are imprinted.

Two Common Types of Depression

Situational: Situational depression or Reactive Depression, also known as Adjustment Disorder, is a condition that involves depressed mood and is triggered by a stressor caused by a major life change. Situational depression often results when a person has trouble coping or adapting to a particular life event. 

Endogenous: Endogenous depression occurs without the presence of a precipitating external stressor or trauma. In other words, it has no apparent outside cause. It may be caused by internal or “endogenous” physiological changes. Endogenous Depression often has underlying genetic, biological, or biochemical markers that predispose the person to depression. Therefore, endogenous depression can also be referred to as a “biologically based” depression. 

Dangers of Depression

Essential features common to all types of depression include negative self-regard, distorted negative thoughts, hopelessness, loss of energy and motivation, fatigue, slowed cognitive functions, some shutdown of basic biological desires such as appetite and sex drive, as well as physical symptoms of stress. Untreated, individuals who struggle with depression are predisposed to physical illness. Major depression also tends to be recurrent; each episode increases vulnerability to further relapses. Socially, depression is contagious. Moods tend to spread. A depressed person tends to affect at least three other people.

Hypnosis for Depression

Pharmaceutical drugs are the common go-to treatment for depression, and some people do find relief from antidepressant medications alone. However, medications do not teach coping skills or improve self-image. These factors contribute significantly to an individual’s ability to ward off depression and prevent its recurrence. Research shows that depression responds positively to good short-term therapy so long as the therapy provides a compassionate interpersonal relationship along with appropriate behavioral and cognitive coping skills training.

Psychotherapy combined with Hypnosis, also known as “Hypnotherapy”, can introduce effective coping skills, more realistic thinking, healthier relationship styles, appropriate problem-solving skills, and effective decision-making strategies, as well as help individuals achieve a healthy support network. Additionally, good therapy can help a person transcend an adverse personal history so he or she can begin build a more positive future. Hypnosis combined with good interpersonal therapy can make the therapy deeper and briefer.

For 30 years, I have helped thousands of patients who suffered from recurring depressive symptoms lead more fulfilling lives. If you would like to learn more about my practice, or you would like to schedule a free consultation appointment, visit us at www.BruceEimer.com or call my office today at (561) 377-1039.

I, Dr. Bruce Eimer, proudly serve patients in the areas of Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth, Wellington, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, and surrounding areas.

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Coping with Uncertainty

Do you need help for your anxiety? No wonder. Nowadays, there seem to be more reasons to be afraid than in previous decades. The world is a more uncertain place than ever. The COVID pandemic has swept over the world bringing illness and death. There has been a sharp increase in political divisiveness like never before. People all over are living with the threat of COVID variants and more societal disruptions. And the television and news media provide a continual stream of information that heightens the focus on these threats. Understandably, all of this has led many people to feel frightened of what the future may bring.

All the above has been reflected in major changes in the stability of the world economy. In addition, technology is changing at a pace that can be described conservatively as “warp speed.” All this change, instability, and uncertainty has made people feel more vulnerable.

Vulnerability stems from the feeling that one has no control over the outcomes of what happens in the world. Feeling vulnerable leads people to feel more endangered and threatened. It can shatter our basic sense of trust and security in the world, our belief that the world is a safe place to live in, and our expectations that we will be here tomorrow. Our vulnerability can become a breeding ground for fears of all types and erode our feelings of comfort and security in carrying on our day-to-day activities. The lack of adequate support and connectedness to other people can also become a breeding ground for alienation.

Given all the instability and uncertainty in our world today, if you are suffering from anxiety or depression, or the activation of old traumas, perhaps you need to see a good therapist. Call Dr. Bruce Eimer at 561-377-1039 to set up a free consultation, and visit Dr. Bruce Eimer’s informative website at www.BruceEimer.com

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Why Writing is Therapeutic

Writing is therapeutic for me and for many of my clients. Also known as “journaling”, when you put your thoughts and feelings to paper, you release pent up tension. Writing out your thoughts also makes it easier to examine and re-evaluate your thoughts and feelings. Writing Therapy is the simplest and most affordable form of therapy. However, for it to work best, it is advisable to follow a few simple procedural rules. I teach these to most of my clients.

  • Use the modality with which you are most comfortable and that is available. It could be your “smart phone”, your computer, or pencil and paper. You can even dictate into your phone!
  • If you are writing for yourself, do not censor what you write.
  • If you are writing to publish as in a blog, first write stream of consciousness. Then edit as appropriate.
  • It is all right to have a time and a place where you will write, or you can write wherever you are when you have a spare moment.
  • From time to time read your previous journal entries to get a sense of your emotional development.
  • Do not second guess yourself.
  • Recognize you are doing self-therapy. Give yourself credit.

People who write learn. By writing about your experiences, you learn about yourself. Isn’t this what therapy is about?

If you would like a free consultation about writing therapy, call Dr. Bruce Eimer at 561-377-1039, or visit Dr. Bruce’s website www.BruceEimer.com

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Do you need therapy?

Pain Control Hypnosis Practitioner Training

Are you feeling that you need help coping with your moods? In other words, are you at times feeling out of control? Perhaps you feel very anxious and cannot get a handle on it. Maybe you feel more than sad and just cannot motivate yourself to do anything pleasurable, necessary or that could give you a sense of accomplishment.

Call Dr. Bruce Eimer at 561-377-1039 for a free consultation to discuss whether you need therapy, or visit my website, www.BruceEimer.com

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Depression Meditation Stress Uncategorized

What is Hypnotic Regression Therapy

There aren’t very many people who have a good understanding of what hypnotic regression therapy is – and what it can do. As soon as they hear the words “hypnotic regression,” some people automatically think of past-life regression. Rest assured; hypnotic regression therapy is something completely different. 

If you’ve ever spent any time on around rivers, you know that there can be powerful currents flowing beneath the surface of the water. The river might look calm and tranquil, but if you were to fall in, you might easily be swept away.

Your subconscious mind is like those currents, churning away beneath the surface of your conscious mind. You might not be aware of the powerful forces being exerted on your behavior by your subconscious mind.  

If your life seems like it’s going well – on the surface – but you are struggling with emotional undercurrents or sabotaging yourself, the thoughts, feelings and ideas churning away in your subconscious mind might be to blame. Hypnotic regression therapy can help access those subconscious thoughts and feelings and reduce their ability to impact your behavior.

Hypnotic Regression Therapy

As the experts at Good Therapy explain, “Regression therapyis an approach to treatment that focuses on resolving significant past events believed to be interfering with a person’s present mental and emotional wellness.”

According to John Ryder, Ph.D., a psychologist, hypnotherapist and the author of Positive Directions writing at PsychologyToday.com, “Hypnosis is one of the best ways to help people access those ‘buried’ memories. Everyone has memories or experiences in their unconscious mind that they may not be able to recall but still play a significant role in everyday life. Hypnotic regression is the process by which you enter a trance and recall material from deep inside that is normally not available to the conscious mind.”

Hypnotic regression therapy should only be undertaken by a licensed mental health professional who has been well trained in the use of clinical hypnosis and in hypnotic regression therapy theories and techniques. If you live in Boynton Beach, Delray Beach or Boca Raton, that licensed mental health professional can be Dr. Bruce Eimer. Dr. Bruce is a licensed psychologist and certified hypnotherapist living in Lake Worth. He is the co-author of two books on regression therapy and hypnoanalysis:

Ewin, D.M., & Eimer, B.N. (2006).  Ideomotor Signals for Rapid Hypnoanalysis: A How-To Manual. 

Hunter, C.R. & Eimer, B.N. (2012). The Art of Hypnotic Regression Therapy: A Clinical Guide.

If you would like more information about hypnosis and regression therapy, please contact us.

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Depression Meditation Stress Uncategorized

Feeling Stressed? Meditation Can Help

Everyone is feeling the stress and strains involved with staying home and staying safe. If you suffer from chronic pain, you probably don’t need us to tell you that stress like that can exacerbate your pain. Psychotherapy and hypnotherapy help chronic pain sufferers to cope. But you can’t spend the whole day talking to your licensed psychologist in Delray Beach. Fortunately, there are things you can do on your own that will help ease your stress and your pain.

Even if you’re in good health, the stress of the current situation can be hard to manage. Mindfulness Meditation is a great way to reduce stress and help you navigate these unchartered waters. Essentially, mindfulness means being present without judging.

The Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace and balance that can benefit both your emotional well-being and your overall health. And these benefits don’t end when your meditation session ends. Meditation can help carry you more calmly through your day and may help you manage symptoms of certain medical conditions.”

The health experts at the Mayo Clinic say that those medical conditions may include:

  • Anxiety
  • Asthma
  • Cancer
  • Depression
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Sleep problems
  • Tension headaches
  • And, yes – Chronic pain

Getting Started

Lots of people give up on meditation before they’ve even begun because they’re under the impression that meditation means stopping your brain from thinking and they know they could never quiet their brain to that extent. Good news – you don’t have to. It’s not about shutting down your thoughts; it’s about not getting caught up in all those stray thoughts that pop up in a continuing stream. It is about practicing being present and non-judgmental.

There are lots of different ways to meditate, from simple deep breathing exercises to yoga, which is considered meditation with movement. Do some exploring and find a method that works for you and try to make it part of your normal routine.

And if you are interested in incorporating mindful psychotherapy in your pain management arsenal, please contact the offices of Dr. Bruce Eimer, a licensed psychologist serving Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Boynton Beach. Dr. Bruce recently released his new book on Mindfulness Meditation. It is entitled Taming Chronic Pain: A Mindful Approach to Bringing Pain Relief.

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Depression Meditation Stress Uncategorized

Am I Depressed or Just Sad?

Many people looking for a licensed psychologist in the Delray Beach/Boca Raton area contact me because they are struggling with depression. Some are not sure what the problem is, they just know something is wrong. Others are familiar with the diagnosis of clinical depression and are interested in exploring the idea of hypnosis treatment for their depression.

If you think you might be depressed, you are not alone.  Estimates are that about one in every 15 adults will be affected by depression in any average year – and since this year is turning out to be anything but average – it wouldn’t be surprising to see those numbers grow.

It’s important to note, however, that being sad or feeling depressed about something – like the loss of a job as a result of Covid-19 – is not the same as having a diagnosis of clinical depression. If you lost your job or are worried about a loved one who might have been exposed to the virus, it would be only natural for you to be feeling down and/or scared. We all experience feelings of sadness; it’s a natural response when life serves up lemons, or when there is a lot of uncertainty as there has been as a result of COVID-19.

Symptoms of Depression

With clinical depression, you might be feeling down for no reason. And those feelings would last for at least two weeks, but usually longer.

Feeling sad is just one of many possible symptoms associated with depression. According to the American Psychiatric Association, if you suffer from clinical depression you may:

  • Lose interest in activities you once enjoyed
  • Experience changes in appetite, leading you to lose or gain weight
  • Have difficulty sleeping or may find yourself wanting to sleep all day
  • Feel worn out and fatigued
  • Feel worthless or guilty
  • Have difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
  • Thoughts of death or suicide are also possible.

Don’t get discouraged! Depression is treatable. As a licensed psychologist serving Boynton Beach and Delray Beach, Dr. Bruce Eimer has extensive experience dealing with depression. If you would like information about hypnosis treatment for depression, contact us to arrange a free 15-minute phone consultation.