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Uncategorized

Comprehensive A to Z Guide to the Qualities of a Good Therapist

The famous counseling psychologist, Carl Rogers wrote that the three essential qualities for a therapist to demonstrate were Empathy, Unconditional Positive Regard, and Congruence. These qualities are very important, but they alone are insufficient. There are other essential qualities. In this article, I shall list and explain each one. 

If you are a therapist or a hypnotherapist, this article is essential reading for you. I will be speaking directly to you. If you are currently searching for a good therapist, this article will help you evaluate potential therapists. 

A to Z Qualities.  For purposes of convenience, I shall go through the qualities of a good therapist using the letters of the alphabet from A to Z. So, let’ begin with the letter A. 

Attentive.  A good therapist is attentive. You must show your client that you’re paying close attention, and that you’re interested in what the client has to say. Dr. Freud called this “free floating attention”.

Articulate.  A good therapist is articulate and communicates precisely. You want to say what you want your client to hear in a way that doesn’t confuse your client. Be concise and precise. Your questions also should be clear and not confusing.

Accountable. A good therapist is accountable and requires his clients to be accountable.

Authentic. A good therapist is authentic and congruent. 

Active.  A good therapist is active. He does not just sit there and say “huh-huh”.

Boundaries.  Good fences make good neighbors. Good boundaries make good therapy.A good therapist from the get-go, sets up clear boundaries. If you have no boundaries, you have no therapy. Your client is your client and not your friend.

Believable.  A good therapistbelieves in what he does and therefore is believable. Such a therapist is convincing. He knows what he’s talking about and he does not make exaggerated claims.  

Calm.  A good therapist demonstrates calm. If you are nervous or tense, that will affect your client’s affect. The best way to calm an anxious client is to be calm. 

Confident.  A good therapist is confident. Therapy is a confidence game; if you have no confidence, there is no therapy.

Curious.  Curiosity might have killed the cat, but it makes for a good therapist.  So, a good therapist is curious. That is he is interested in learning about his client. You demonstrate your curiosity by asking a lot of questions. But you don’t ask questions about things that violate therapeutic boundaries. You only ask about the things that are relevant to therapy. You certainly don’t want to be intrusive.

Courteous.  A good therapist is courteous and respectful. If your client feels you’re rude or disrespectful, they’re going to run.

Dependable.  A good therapist is dependable. He follows through and demonstrates reliability. Therapy is supposed to be a safe haven. The therapist needs to be punctual and responsive. 

Ethical.  A good therapist is ethical. That means you have a value system, and you are committed to upholding your values by acting in accordance with your values. You’re interested in the best interest of your client. You are not guided by other agendas, irrelevant to doing therapy. You maintain good boundaries. You don’t take advantage of people you work with, or anyone for that matter. You observe the ethical guidelines of your particular profession and the legal guidelines. You get informed consent from your clients before you utilize procedures. You keep current on your continuing education.

Empathetic. A good therapist is empathetic and compassionate. Compassion is just as important as technical proficiency in a therapist’s qualities.

Flexible.  A good therapist is flexible. This means the therapist is not dogmatic or overly opinionated. The therapist doesn’t try to push a specific approach rigidly. The therapist adjusts his therapeutic approach and techniques to the person, and doesn’t try to mold the person to fit his favorite techniques.

Grounded.  A good therapist is grounded. Grounded means present and stable. It means connected to the earth with his feet on the ground.

Honest.  A good therapist is honest but not brutally so. If he has nothing constructive to comment on, he does not comment. He avoids sugarcoating things. He does not lie. He tells stories that are related in some way to the problems that he is working on solving with the client. 

Humble.  A good therapist is humble. He is unpretentious. He shows humility. Don’t be afraid to show that you don’t know where to go next. However, even though you might not know where to go next, you are confident that you know how to handle confusion or uncertainty. Clients enter therapy with lots of uncertainty, and anxiety.

Hypnotic.  A good therapist is hypnotic. You don’t have to hypnotize someone into a formal trance to informally induce a trance through the rapport that develops in your conversation. Some practitioners refer to this as naturalistic hypnosis or conversational hypnosis. The core of this is that the language you use needs to be precise and acceptable to your client’s conscious and unconscious mind. You need to communicate simultaneously to both parts of your client’s mind. And if you use Hypnosis, or you are a Professional Hypnotherapist, the waking hypnosis prepares your client for the formal hypnosis. The rapport you have developed with your client when your client goes into trance paves the road for doing your “hypnosis pre-talk” and then inducing Hypnosis.

Intelligent.  A good therapist is intelligent and needs to be more intelligent than his clients about the business of emotions and the issues they are working on solving. 

Inquiring. A good therapist asks a lot of hood questions.

Instructive.  If you are a therapist, you need to be skilled. You need to know techniques. Being a therapist is part educator and teacher. You need to be instructive. You need to be able to instruct your clients in developing coping skills that will help them become more effective in dealing with their life challenges. 

Interested.  Be interested in learning about your client. There is no such thing as a boring client. People who are boring are boring for a reason. It is your job to find the reason. That in itself is interesting. Be curious about people. People are interesting. If you are a therapist, and you do not find people interesting, then you were not in the right business. If you start to look at people as interesting, and that means every client that crosses the doorstep into your office, you’ll have a good time and you’ll find your work stimulating.

Just.  A good therapist is fair and believes in justice. The world is unjust and unfair. A good therapist is serious about being fair.

Knowledgeable.  A good therapist is knowledgeable and skilled. If you do not have more knowledge than your clients, in terms of the issues they bring to you, then refer to someone who does. You should be thirsty for knowledge, and for learning new things. This will make you a better therapist. Otherwise, you become stagnant. That can lead to boredom and burn out.

Listens well.  A good therapist must be a good listener. 

Motivating.  Related to being hypnotic, a good therapist motivates his clients in a positive direction through his affect, attitude, attention, questions, clarifications, and suggestions.

Neutral.  When you are wearing the therapist hat, you must be non-judgmental and neutral. This does not mean being accepting of unacceptable behavior. What this does mean, is walking the middle ground to help your clients resolve their conflicts. If you are prejudiced towards a particular group of people or issue, then you have no business treating those people who are struggling with that issue. It is never the job of therapist to preach, or try to convert someone against their value system or the system by which they navigate their world. There should be no hidden agenda. If you have an agenda with a client because you’re out for something, then you have no business being their therapist. That is just plain unethical and immoral.

Observant.  To be a good therapist, you need to be observant. You have to be a careful observer and watch the behavioral manifestations of your client’s internal cues. You need to pick up changes in mood, changes in behavior, and subtle indications of defiance, anxiety, fear, anger, resentment, and so on. You need to be able to read your clients. Learn about body language. Learn how to do ideomotor signaling in hypnosis if you are a Hypnotherapist.

Organized. A good therapist is organized and structured. He presents an organized and structured model of what therapy is and how the client needs to participate. He then socializes the client to become a good therapy client. 

Optimistic.  A good therapist is appropriately optimistic. This doesn’t mean pollyannish. The therapist takes the position that he believes that the client is in his office to get better. He expects to be able to help the client to get better. But, following ethical guidelines, the therapist does not make guarantees.

Present.  A good therapist is present, which means aware and attentive. He is not thinking about something else while he is doing therapy, and he is not distracted. He is focused.

Patient.  A good therapist has patience. He does not make you feel rushed.

Problem solver.  A good therapist is a good problem solver.

Questioning.  A good therapist is questioning. He is interested in knowing more about his client and understanding the reasons for the problems and issues that his client is presenting. However, the therapist only asks appropriate questions that need to be answered. He is not intrusive and doesn’t violate boundaries.

Reliable.  A good therapist can be counted on. He keeps appointments, runs on time, and demonstrates he cares. He participates with clients in the ways he says he would.

Structured.  A good therapist works from a model of human psychology and therapy. He is organized. He can explain his therapy model clearly, how he works from that model, and how the methods he uses help clients get well.

Self-aware. A good therapist is self-aware. He makes a conscious use of himself in the service of the therapy. 

Thoughtful.  A good therapist is thoughtful. He thinks before he speaks, and he has a dialogue in his head that helps him to evaluate what is happening in the therapy, the results of his interventions, and which interventions to implement next. 

Technically proficient. A good therapist is well trained in a range of therapeutic approaches and techniques. 

Trustworthy.  You are going to bear your soul to your therapist. Your therapist must be trustworthy. If you hold back because you are uncomfortable sharing information, this will impede getting well.

Unpretentious. A good therapist is unpretentious. Related to what I said earlier, he is humble and shows humility. He is not on a “high horse”. He treats everyone as an equal.

Understanding.  A good therapist is understanding.

Versatile.  A good therapist is versatile. He can work in a variety of ways. This is related to the quality of being flexible. 

Values.  A good therapist has good values.

Watchful.  A good therapist is observant.

Willing. A good therapist is willing to form a therapeutic alliance with you.

X.  A good therapist sets good eXamples in his behavior. He also gives good eXamples that illustrate situations wherein your issues come up and how to deal more effectively with those situations. 

Y.  A good therapist asks whY questions as well as how, what, when, where, and with whom questions. 

Zealous.  A good therapist is passionate about his work.

A good therapist is AWARE

AWARE is an acronym that summarizes what a good therapist does in any given session:

Addresses the most pressing issues.

Watches and listens carefully.

Administers appropriate techniques.

Reframes dysfunctional ideas.

Evaluates session outcomes. 

If you would like to learn more about this practice or would like to schedule a free consultation appointment, visit us online at www.BruceEimer.com or call our office today at (561) 377-1039. 

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Dr. Eimer proudly serves patients in West Pam Beach, Wellington, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and surrounding areas.

Copyright © 2024 by Bruce Eimer, Ph.D., ABPP

Categories
Hypnosis

Relapse Prevention for Alcoholics | Delray Beach, FL

Preventing drinking relapses can be challenging, but there are strategies and steps that can significantly reduce the likelihood of a relapse for someone struggling with alcohol addiction. Here are some tips:

  1. Identify Triggers: Recognize and understand the triggers that lead to drinking. Common triggers include stress, certain social situations, emotions, or specific environments. Avoiding or managing these triggers is crucial.
  2. Build a Strong Support Network: Surround yourself with supportive friends, family, or a support group like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Having a network of people who understand and can provide encouragement can be invaluable.
  3. Seek Professional Help: Consider therapy, counseling, or rehabilitation programs. Professional guidance can provide coping strategies, address underlying issues, and offer ongoing support.
  4. Develop Coping Mechanisms: Learn healthy coping mechanisms to deal with stress, anxiety, and emotions. This could include mindfulness, exercise, hobbies, or relaxation techniques.
  5. Create a Relapse Prevention Plan: Work with a therapist or counselor to develop a detailed plan outlining steps to take if faced with triggers or urges. This plan should include specific actions to avoid relapse and strategies to cope if temptation arises.
  6. Practice Self-Care: Focus on physical and mental well-being. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and stress management techniques can improve overall health and resilience against relapse.
  7. Make daily gratitude rituals: For example, every morning upon awakening, list 10 things you are grateful for.
  8. Avoid Tempting Situations: Stay away from situations or environments where alcohol is readily available or where you might feel pressured to drink.
  9. Stay Engaged in Recovery: Attend therapy sessions, support group meetings, or any ongoing treatment recommended by professionals. Continuous engagement in recovery efforts reinforces commitment and provides ongoing support.
  10. Learn from Relapses: If a relapse occurs, it’s essential to view it as a learning experience rather than a failure. Identify what triggered the relapse and use it as an opportunity to strengthen your relapse prevention strategies.
  11. Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate achievements, whether small or significant, in your recovery journey. This can help boost motivation and reinforce your commitment to staying sober.

The key takeaway I share with my patients in recovery is that you need to be for something as opposed to be just against something. It will not stick if you promise that you will NOT drink because….You need to be for yourself – your health and wellbeing (mental and physical), your relationship with God, and your purpose in life. Everyone has a purpose!

Remember, recovery is a journey, and setbacks can happen. It’s essential to stay committed to the process and seek help and support when needed. Each person’s journey to sobriety is unique, so finding what works best for you and staying committed to your goals is crucial.

For over 30 years, I have helped thousands of people in drug and alcohol recovery to live a clean, content, and sober life. If you would like to learn more about my 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 West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Wellington, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Parkland, Coral Springs, Hallandale, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and surrounding areas.

Eimer Blog Entry 12-15-23

Copyright © by Bruce Eimer, Ph.D

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Uncategorized

The Core of Psychotherapy | Delray Beach, FL

The core of psychotherapy is examining why you keep getting what you don’t want and are not getting what you think you want from people. Different schools of therapy use different terms to describe this core issue. Behavioral therapists talk about what you inadvertently reinforce through your actions or inactions. On the other hand, psychoanalytically oriented therapists (i.e., those following Freudian approaches) talk about unconscious conflicts. However, no matter your therapist’s theoretical orientation, a good therapist will eventually address your core issue. 

In my approach to doing therapy, I like to eventually figure out what your “core conflictual relationship theme”, or “CCRT”, is. We all have a CCRT. In fact, we all have multiple CCRTs. But we all have one CCRT that lies at the root of most of our problematic issues, no matter who we are. Of course, that core CCRT is different for each of use. A good therapist eventually will help you to discover your core CCRT.  

In a nutshell, the parts of a CCRT are a Wish (i.e., what you want), what you Expect to get, how you Act given what you expect to get or not get, and how you React or Respond to what you do get or don’t get. A useful acronym to remember this dynamic sequence is WEAR. I like this acronym because we all wear our expectations on our bodies in one way or another. Here is one example from a recent session I had with a patient. 

This patient wantsher daughter to respect her. She expects that her daughter will continue to act disrespectfully given their history together. Nevertheless, this patient continues to actin ways that reinforce her daughter’s continued disrespect. And to make matters worse for her, my patient’s response to being disrespected by her daughter further reinforces her daughter’s disrespectful behavior.  Our sessions have been focused on helping the patient understand this dynamic which is her Core Conflictual Relation Theme or CCRT with the goal of helping her modify it. 

Unfortunately, our CCRTs are largely unconscious. So, as your therapist, I would first help you recognize your CCRT. Once we both recognize your CCRT, our job is to work together to understand your CCRT. And once we understand it, our job is to work together to change this CCRT in a realistic way so you can have a better life. More on this approach to how I do therapy in a future blog entry.

Dr. Eimer proudly serves patients in West Pam Beach, Wellington, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and surrounding areas.

Categories
Anxiety

Understanding Panic Disorder and How Hypnotherapy Can Help | Boca Raton, FL

Panic, at its most basic level, is a reaction to stimuli that set off an alarm in the subconscious. Historically, it may have kept hunters and gatherers alive, but today someone can become panicked about any number of things that are not a threat to survival; the modern world is stimulating! Many people experience at least one panic attack in their lifetimes. Having a panic attack differs from having a panic disorder in that in the latter, panic attacks are triggered multiple times unpredictably. 

Panic disorder is the persistent experience of living in fear of another attack. While breathing will help the person experiencing a panic attack, it does little to help someone cope with, and move beyond, their panic disorder.

Hypnotherapy reduces the likelihood that someone may experience a panic attack by uncovering the subconscious reasons why it’s happening in the first place. When we work together, we will begin to unravel your unique behavioral patterns and responses that are triggered under stress. From there, we will work to replace those with an appropriate response. This allows you to gain control of your subconscious, making stressors less overwhelming over time as you practice my methods in daily life.

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 West Pam Beach, Wellington, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and surrounding areas.

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Hypnotherapy

Truly Quit Smoking: The Power of Hypnotherapy | Boca Raton, FL

You may have heard of someone developing an oral fixation; examples include chewing on a blade of grass or smoking a cigarette. When a person is addicted to nicotine, they develop a genuine physical and mental dependence on it. Distancing oneself from activities like vaping and smoking becomes more difficult over time as a result.

Nicotine patches, going cold turkey, slowly reducing your daily cigarette count- these are all perfectly normal avenues to consider and test along your journey. Hypnotherapy can also be a powerful tool to help someone overcome their nicotine addiction and/or oral fixation.

When your conscious and unconscious mind begins to interact through hypnotherapy, that is when you will stop smoking, feel less stressed, and experience little to no withdrawal symptoms. Our habits are controlled by the subconscious mind, and hypnotherapy taps into your subconscious to unlock lasting change.

Dr. Eimer feels the following are essential to the process, and are what anyone who really wants to quit smoking needs:

  • A compelling, emotionally valid reason
  • Understanding the effects of cigarettes on your health
  • Comprehending the consequences of continuing the habit
  • Recognizing the benefits of being a non-smoker
  • Skills for managing the stress of quitting and managing any symptoms of withdrawal

The best results come from having a powerful individualized live session, however, Dr. Eimer authored the Best Stop Smoking With Hypnosis Program available for purchase here

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 West Pam Beach, Wellington, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and surrounding areas.

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Hypnotherapy

Helping Couples Rekindle Their Bond Through Hypnotherapy | Delray Beach, FL

If you have been having a difficult time relating to your partner, feel at odds, are struggling with miscommunication, or have lost the spark you once shared, have you considered hypnotherapy? Couples counseling through hypnotherapy can be a great way for couples to improve their intimacy and mutual understanding, with the caveat that each person is willing to put in the work. Contrary to common misconception, hypnotherapy does not absolve the couple of the work necessary to achieve their shared goal. It makes it easier to do the necessary work! 

My strategic approach begins by understanding each person’s dedication to the relationship itself, their willingness to improve it, their commonalities, and their differences. Once I have gained a well-rounded understanding of each person’s perspective and goals, I design our sessions to bring the couple back together in a way that addresses the real issues, rather than simply breaking surface tension.

Hypnotherapy is a powerful tool in helping couples relax heightened defenses, recall positive memories, and build new bonds. Of course, this doesn’t come easily for most people – it requires the commitment of each person to do the work. However, with my guidance and support, you and your partner can rekindle your bond, and carry on stronger together.

If you would like to learn more about hypnotherapy for couples counseling 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 West Pam Beach, Wellington, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and surrounding areas.

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Weight Loss

Hypnosis Can Aid Weight Control | Boca Raton, FL

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 enhances desire which feeds the imagination. The unconscious mind does not distinguish between desire and action.

When you enter into hypnosis for weight management, our goal is to retrain the unconscious mind. It is our unconscious mind that influences our habitual, imagined, and desired actions. When we work together to retain your unconscious mind, we are essentially working to get you thinking “I want this healthy food” versus “I can’t eat the unhealthy food I crave”.

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 barrier to your ability to succeed. I then design a hypnosis plan specifically for you, so we can retrain the aspects of your unconscious that have been the biggest hindrance to your ability to lose weight and keep it off.

The Weight Reduction Hypnosis Program is designed to make it easy for you to replace your unhealthy food cravings with healthy eating habits. It 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 recognizes these suggestions as so fitting and familiar, that it feels as if you gave these suggestions to yourself. This makes acting on them natural and easy.

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 West Pam Beach, Wellington, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and surrounding areas.

Categories
Hypnotherapy

Understanding Hypnotic Regression Therapy | Delray Beach, FL

Consider for a moment that your mind is like the current, your subconscious is navigating obstacles while your conscious mind flows. It’s likely you aren’t even aware that your subconscious is exerting itself in this way- until things get out of hand.

If you are struggling to contain the emotional undercurrent; that is, if you are exhibiting self-sabotaging behaviors, and/ or have thoughts or feelings that you can’t break away from, it may be because your subconscious is churning. Hypnotic Regression Therapy or HRT helps us access the subconscious mind, understand the true nature of our thoughts and feelings, and work our way out of the cycle.

Essentially, this type of Hypnotic Regression Therapy focuses on the resolution of significant moments or events in our past that have begun to interfere with our mental and/or emotional wellness. Hypnosis is widely known as a means of tapping into our deep memories; those which we know happened but may be unable to recall. Believe it or not, these memories and experiences play a significant role in our daily lives. Conducted by a well-trained and competent hypnotherapist, hypnotic regression therapy will guide you to tap into your subconscious mind and recall the experiences your conscious mind might not remember. 

Hypnotic Regression Therapy should only be undertaken by a licensed mental health professional who has been trained in the use of clinical hypnosis and Hypnotic Regression Therapy specifically. Dr. Eimer is the co-author of several books on Hypnotic Regression Therapy. These are Ideomotor Signals for Rapid Hypnoanalysis: A How-To Manual by Ewin and Eimer (2006) and The Art of Hypnotic Regression Therapy: A Clinical Guide by Hunter and Eimer (2012). He also conducts workshops internationally for therapists on HRT.

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 West Pam Beach, Wellington, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and surrounding areas.

Categories
Depression

The Difference Between Sadness and Depression | Delray Beach, FL

There is a decisive difference between sadness and depression, but the two are often misconstrued and mixed up. About one in every 15 adults will be adversely affected by depression each year with obstacles such as Covid-19 tipping the scale.

Feelings of sadness occur when we lose something we need and care about such as a job or a partner. It is often associated with the loss of some aspect of one’s identity (e.g., a job, a personal relationship, the end of a life state). Feeling sad is a natural response to unfavorable circumstances and loss. Clinical depression on the other hand negatively affects how you think, feel, and act. Fortunately, feelings of sadness will pass in time, and depression is treatable.

If you are still wondering how to classify the way you are or have been feeling, here are some symptoms of depression to be aware of.

  • Feeling down or low for no apparent reason, lasting a week or two or longer.
  • Losing interest in the activities you enjoy.
  • Experience a change in appetite leading to weight gain or loss.
  • Have difficulty sleeping or experience the desire to sleep all day.
  • Feeling worn out or fatigued.
  • Feelings of guilt or unworthiness.
  • Having difficulty thinking, keeping focused, or making decisions.
  • Thinking about death or contemplating suicide.

It’s important to remember that life ebbs and flows, and that whether you are sad or depressed, there are several ways to overcome these feelings. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy or CBT is an evidence-based psychological treatment for clinical depression. When antidepressant medication is needed, combining medication and CBT can increase the effectiveness of both treatments. CBT teaches coping skills while meds alone do not. Often hypnotherapy can enhance the effectiveness of both of the above treatments. 

If you would like to learn more about my 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 West Pam Beach, Wellington, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and surrounding areas.

Categories
Anxiety

Anxiety and You: How Therapy Can Help | Delray Beach, FL

Instability, illness, change, and uncertainty can activate feelings of vulnerability. As a result, these experiences can trigger anxiety – especially when a person does not feel he or she possesses the resources to cope effectively. Feeling vulnerable is an experience no one wants to have. Unfortunately, it can often lead a person to make poor decisions which worsen the situation. 

One reason people who feel vulnerable can be led to make poor decisions is that the symptoms of anxiety that are triggered cloud their better judgment and hinder their ability to employ their coping skills. These symptoms can include feelings of nervousness, tension, dread, or panic, as well as physiological symptoms such as rapid breathing, sweating, muscle twitching, weakness, and hyper-arousal or lethargy.

If you are experiencing these symptoms of anxiety, it may be a sign that you should seek help from either your trusted peers or a professional therapist. Research has repeatedly shown that therapy for anxiety is a more effective treatment method than medication alone. While medications work to treat the symptoms you are experiencing, Anxiety Management Therapy can help you understand, address, and begin to work through the underlying causes of your anxiety and worry.

As a licensed clinical psychologist, I utilize evidence-based methods which include cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness techniques, and clinical hypnosis to address your anxiety and assist you in working through it. During our initial consultation, I will work to gain an understanding of your anxiety, your previous attempts at resolving it, and your goals. In our sessions to follow, I will teach you how to relax, gain new perspectives, and assist you in developing effective coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills so that you can control your worries. 

There is this concept that there are three types of mind. They are the heart-mind, the brain-mind, and the gut mind. Each mind has its own way of processing our experiences and notifying us about the meaning of those experiences. Ideally, we should learn how to listen to all three of our minds and give appropriate weight to the type of mind that might provide the most useful information in a particular situation. 

The heart mind and the gut mind can be guiding beacons to your truest innermost feelings. However, if you suffer from persistent worrying and anxiety, equipped with the right knowledge and skills, your brain mind can provide relief. I believe that the old saying, let not your tender heart be troubled refers to the idea that your heart sometimes needs rational help from your brain. Romantics tell us to trust our hearts. And I agree that this is often the way to go. However, we must also educate our brains to guide us out of sticky situations. 

If you would like to learn more about how you can cultivate all three types of mind in a balanced manner to help you tame anxiety, you can schedule a free 15-minute consultation appointment by visiting us online or you can call our office today at (561) 377-1039.

Dr. Eimer is a licensed board-certified clinical psychologist and certified hypnotherapist who proudly serves patients in West Palm Beach, Wellington, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and surrounding areas.