Happy New Year

As this new year begins to unfold
my wish is that you find inner peace and serenity.
That your inner desires come true.
And that you take the steps
to go for what is truly important to you in life.

As I was writing this post my phone rang.  It was my wonderful, caring brother calling to wish me a happy New Year, and to say he hoped all my dreams would be fulfilled.

He started talking about setting goals.  This was just what I was writing about.  I told him how interesting it was, that just as I was writing about taking a moment to set goals, he called to make sure I was taking care of setting goals for my own happiness.

So I stopped with what I was writing and decided to share my brother’s words with you.

He said “Audrey, make sure to set goals for what you want this year.”   Because he knows how I typically can become so busy doing my best for the people I care about (my clients, my friends and my family) – he urged me to be sure I set some goals for myself, outside of what goals I enjoy doing for others.  Something for my own happiness and fun.

It is good for my soul to have a brother that looks after me.  Someone reminding me to take care of myself.   He knows how we easily get caught up in all the important parts of life and how we can  forget to do something for our own personal happiness and fulfillment.  He went on to say, ” Audrey, set the goals and do it. ” We only have the time we have, do things now!

It is true life is short  no matter how long you have, it’s still over too quickly.

As many of you know my dad passed away a few months ago.  One of the gifts  my dad left me with was to enjoy life.  He was a man who did things, he lived life to the fullest.  Even in his last years when his health wasn’t as good, he still found things he wanted to do and accomplish.  He never tired of learning something new, even when his mind wasn’t as clear as it used to be.  He accepted it as a part of life, and did what he could, instead of being frustrated that he couldn’t think on the same level he did when younger.

So, I found, even as I was grieving his loss that I remember to cherish the time I have here on this earth.  When you lose someone you love, it can be a time to recognize that now, is the time we have.

I’ve done some soul searching looking into myself to see what I want to add to my life.   I’ve made a decision that for the new year I’m going to do things that will enhance my health.  No matter how busy I might be my goal is to start my day with a simple yoga routine.    I’ve written it down, 10 minutes a day. I can already imagine how keeping this goal will be at the start of next year, with my body limber and healthy.

To enrich my mind, in addition to researching and designing new and better ways of treating panic, stress, fear for my clients, I’m also determined to learn a new language, this is for me.   I’m setting aside 15 minutes a day, I’m dedicating myself to tackle something that hasn’t up to this point been successful for me.

As you can see I’m starting with small amounts of time.  In this way I won’t “talk myself out of it”.   I’m setting my goals so I can’t help but succeed.

So in the new year I send you my love and wish you health, serenity and joy and all the best in your life. Please, write down a few goals for yourself.  Now, while you are thinking of it.  Take some action step.

In light of the new year -  take a moment and think about what you would like to accomplish in this new year.

• Write it down – Be specific about what you want
• Answer the question “How will reaching your goal be for you?”
• Include what will be different in your life once you have accomplished your goal.
• What will you be able to give to others, once you have this goal.

Want to take you first action step of the new year?
Email Audrey for information on setting up
you own private hypnotherapy session.

Or
For information the
Online Coaching Course
that starts again June 2012.

Join with the rest of my students in our
online coaching community.
Get your specific questions answered and
hear what others are working on.

Want to learn how to stay centered and calm?
Begin today by downloading your first FREE “tool”.

Sign in at the top right side of this page.

Then please click here to email Audrey about
either private sessions or the coaching class.
Either way you will learn how
to get your own mind into
a calm, receptive state.

Take action now,  sign up at the right side of this page
for the instructions to 2 exercises.
1. A powerful breathing exercise
to change your state of mind,
2. A second exercise
to help change negative thinking.

So do this now, download
the easy to learn exercises
by signing in at the upper right side of this page.
You will be sent the written instructions as a PDF.

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If you are in the NJ area on Thursday Feb 9, 2012 we would be delighted to have you join us for one or both of our workshops. They will be held in the Moorstown, NJ Boscov’s.  Reservations are required since space is limited.

Please call 856-751-9446 to reserve your space.  We are doing something new and videotaping the workshops, and if all goes well the will be available to view after the workshop.  Send your email and name to askdraudrey@gmail.com if you would like to order a copy.

Hypnosis Quick Cure for Stress
Audrey Sussman, PhD, LCSW, NBCCH
Stressed out?  Experience soothing calm instantly using hypnotic “Quick Cure,” a 60-second method for stress reduction.  This system combines the most effective techniques from Neuro-Linguistic Programming, self-hypnosis and cognitive and behavioral therapy.  An optional book, “Stress Relief in 10 Minutes or Less” will be available.
Thursday, February 9; 7PM-8PM…………………..$10

Parenting Workshop
Audrey Sussman, PhD, LCSW, NBCCH
Children can be the source of the highest pleasure, yet no matter how much you love them, there are times they cause you annoyance, distress, grief and bewildered anguish.  There is a way of dealing with these issues that can lead you back to the warm, caring, peaceful life with your children.  Learn about the techniques of communication to get back the harmony in your family.  Bring your questions and get the answers you are seeking.
#8:  Thursday, February 9; 8PM-9PM…………………..$10

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If you are in the NJ area on Thursday Feb 9, 2012 we would be delighted to have you join Audrey Sussman PhD from the Anxiety Control Center and be a part of the interactive workshops being offered.

Workshop #1: Hypnosis Quick Relief from Stress. 7pm
Workshop #2:  How to talk so your children will LISTEN. 8pm
They both will be held at Moorstown, NJ – Boscov’s.  Reservations are required since space is limited.

Please call 856-751-9446 to reserve your space.  We are doing something new and videotaping the workshops, and if all goes well they will be available to view after the workshop.  Send your email and name to askdraudrey@gmail.com if you would like to order a copy.

Parenting Workshop
Audrey Sussman, PhD, LCSW, NBCCH
Children can be the source of the highest pleasure, yet no matter how much you love them, there are times they cause you annoyance, distress, grief and bewildered anguish.  There is a way of dealing with these issues that can lead you back to the warm, caring, peaceful life with your children.  Learn about the techniques of communication to get back the harmony in your family.  Bring your questions and get the answers you are seeking.
Thursday, February 9; 8PM-9PM…………………..$10

Hypnosis Quick Cure for Stress
Audrey Sussman, PhD, LCSW, NBCCH
Stressed out?  Experience soothing calm instantly using hypnotic “Quick Cure,” a 60-second method for stress reduction.  This system combines the most effective techniques from Neuro-Linguistic Programming, self-hypnosis and cognitive and behavioral therapy.  An optional book, “Stress Relief in 10 Minutes or Less” will be available.
Thursday, February 9; 7PM-8PM…………………..$10

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Tish Schuman LPC, CMH, NCC is one of the outstanding Hypnotherapists at the Anxiety Control Center. She has been helping people in our Cherry Hill, NJ office for over 14 years.  In this post she gives information on hypnosis as she answers 3 questions.

Questions:
1)    A lot of people don’t think that I can be hypnotized.  Is there anything I can do between now and then to make me more hypnotizable?

2)    What happens if people find things out that they didn’t really know about before?  Do they freak out?  Does the hypnotherapist take them out of it or do they walk them through it?

3) If one can’t be hypnotized during the first session, does that mean they can’t be at all, or is it possible that they could be at another time or by someone else?

Client question: # 1.    A lot of people don’t think that I can be hypnotized.  Is there anything I can do between now and then to make me more hypnotizable?

Answers by Tish Schuman LPC, CMH, NCC:
Hypnosis or trance, we use the words interchangeably, occurs naturally. We have all experienced a naturally occurring trance state in our lives whether we are aware of it consciously or not.  For example, have you ever read a book and been so engrossed, that you could really feel what the character was feeling?  Or have you ever gone to the movies and identified so closely with one of the characters that you felt like you were part of the action?  Do you ever daydream?  These are all examples of a trance state. Anyone who is of average intelligence or higher can be hypnotized.  And like any skill we learn, some people may do it quicker than others.

2)    What happens if people find things out that they didn’t really know about before?  Do they freak out?  Does the hypnotherapist take them out of it or do they walk them through it?

Tish Schuman answers:
We use a hypnotic technique called Time Line Therapy. This is a very powerful and effective way to help people to get to the root of their problems and heal it there. When doing Time Line, we have the client “float” above their time line so that they are looking down as opposed to being “in” the problem.  So a good hypnotherapist will keep you out of the situation by keeping you floating above it. You already lived it once so we don’t want you in it again.

Many times the root of the problem occurred at a very young age.  What is no big deal to an adult, may be to a very young child.  So the events don’t necessarily have to be some very traumatic thing.  I have found that most clients are already aware of the very traumatic events that they have experienced.

One thing to remember is that you are always in control.  A hypnotherapist cannot make anyone do anything.  When you are in a trance state you are awake and aware although usually your eyes will be closed.  You are aware of what the hypnotherapist is saying and what you are saying.  If you need a break or want to stop the process, you can.

Client Question #3  If one can’t be hypnotized during the first session, does that mean they can’t be at all, or is it possible that they could be at another time or by someone else?

Tish Schuman responds: As I mentioned earlier, hypnosis is like any skill that we learn.  Some people may be better at it initially and for others may take a little time.  I will say it is very important to feel comfortable with the person that you choose to work with.

Also, when people think about hypnosis, they are typically thinking about they way they have seen it portrayed in the movies or on TV.  The client is sitting in a chair with eyes closed, almost appearing to be asleep while the hypnotist gives suggestions.  This is called classical hypnosis.  Many of the clients that we help come in wanting to get relief from anxiety. For a person who has anxiety, it is not usually easy for them to sit still for classical hypnosis. If someone with anxiety sees a hypnotherapist who only uses classical hypnosis and can’t get into a trance state, it is most likely because they are in an anxious state so simply hearing suggestions of calm will not work.

We mainly use Ericksonian hypnosis and with Ericksonian hypnosis a client does not have to be in a relaxed state to go into trance.  In fact, we can use whatever the client is feeling at the moment to help them get back to the root of the problem.  After this process clients describe feeling calm, relaxed and like a weight has been lifted off of them.

Tish Schuman LPC, CMH, NCC, is a Certified Hypnotherapist who specializes in Time Line Therapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming for the relief of panic and anxiety. She is a member of the American Board of Hypnotherapy, the Time Line Therapy Association, and the American Board of Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Tish has written numerous articles for various publications. As a parent, she has found her skills in Neurolinguists have helped her to create a warm and peaceful environment at home and in her career.

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This morning we begin with tips for changing negative thoughts into more enhancing ones.  In the next post I’ll be discussing a few more techniques to help stop panic and negative feelings.

I know first hand how it is to suffer with panic.  So I know what it feels like to have these types of thoughts.  At times when you first start to use new techniques it might seem almost impossible that anything can help.   I realize that, yet we need to start somewhere.  Please know I am not making light the feelings of panic, worry or anxiety.  What I am attempting to do, is to help you to begin to see things in a new light.

Panic can be horrible and disabling, especially when there seems there is nothing you can do to stop it. There is hope and help available.  Keep reading for more tips:

Tip 1:  Start by changing just one thought or belief that is not enhancing to you.

It does take some work,  yet the benefit is it will give you hope for more changes.  There are many ways you can use you mind to change thoughts that feed anxiety.

Tip 2.  Look for the possible positive “intention.”

Think about a possible, more positive reason for the underlying the thoughts or feelings.

Tip 3.  Create 2 positive thoughts for each negative one you create.

Find ones that will not “beat you down” or make you feel bad.  When creating possible positive “stories” you don’t even have to believe them.  Just start with creating different one that might counterbalance the negative thoughts you are having.

Tip 4.  Use your very creative mind to create positive possibilities.  Perhaps just a small change at first.

Use these small changes and see what happens.  Many have found them to be a good way to begin to feel back in control.  When we change our thoughts it gives a different message to the body.  It’s almost like saying, all is well no more adrenalin is needed.  This simple thought creates a settling down feeling in the body.  In the  25 years I have been working with panic and anxiety I have found that people who suffer with this difficult condition are not only strong, but also highly creative and intelligent.  Keep that in mind as you create positive thought to counteract the negative, scary ones.

Those of us who suffer with panic and anxiety are highly creative.  This very creativity sometimes causes us to think of all the possible negative or fearful things that might happen.   This pattern may start in early childhood.  It may be due to life circumstances where we learn to anticipate things that might hurt us.   Sometimes these patterns of fearful thinking start so a child can protect or warding off the feelings of being out of control.  If you think about the roots of where worry comes from in this more positive way it can help to re-frame the feelings of being weak.  Seeing it as a possible coping skill used as a child that isn’t necessary as an adult, something that can be changed.  We are looking at a “negative” scenario in a different light.

Many times our very positive skill of being creative, can cause a person with a predisposition to panic,  to create all the possible scenarios things that might happen in the future.  Unfortunately they are usually they take the form of negative thoughts. We do this not because we are negative, but because we are trying to be prepared for any possibility.  But these very thoughts disable us, by causing more anxiety.

Let me know  how these tips work for you, and any other solutions you are using in your life use to stop panic and fear.  I hope the tips are helpful.   Audrey Sussman PhD, director of the Anxiety Control Center.

If you find this information helpful, and want to learn more, there are 3 ways to continue learning to change panic and anxiety reactions.  For information you can:

1. Keep reading the weekly posts with helpful tips.

2.  Join with others at the Anxiety Control Center’s online coaching community.
To do this sign up at the right side of this page to be notified of the monthly calls.  If you want to get a jump start on dealing with anxiety,  you can get an Mp3 jam packed with 90 minutes of live coaching.  It’s still only $10 with a money back guarantee.
Go to ActionEndsProcrastination.com to get this downloaded directly to your computer.

3.  Or set up a private session: Call or email Audrey to set up a one-on-one session with one of our hypnotherapists.  In your private sessions you get intensive,  targeted techniques to help with your specific issues.   Our hypnotherapists are specially trained in all the techniques of the Anxiety Control Center’s Transformation System. This Transformation System enables us to get to the root of where panic really comes from, stuck (repressed) memories and emotions.    You’ll experience first hand how to release emotions that are getting in the way of moving forward in life.

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Today we continue to look at the questions about G-d, panic and feeling weak and picked on. We’ll begin with a number of helpful tips for changing the negative feelings, into more enhancing one.   Let me know  how these tips work for you, and any other solutions you are using in your life use to stop panic and fear.  I hope the following tips help.   Audrey Sussman PhD, director of the Anxiety Control Center.

The following is a summary (collage)  of the email questions I have received in the last few days.

“Hello Audrey, First I want to thank you for answering my other emails. I truly appreciate your taking your time to answer my questions.  I reached out and was hoping to get a response even though I’m not one of your students or private clients.

Here is what is going through my mind today.  I really don’t want to feel this out of control with panic and fear.   I can’t help wondering why G-d chose to prey on the weak by giving us anxiety attacks?  Nothing prepared me for the devastating results worry, anxiety and fear is having on my life.  It stops me from moving ahead and it feels unending.   I thought the feelings would disappear over time, but it continues and gets worse every year.   I want to stop these feelings and the anger & sadness it causes, but I don’t know where to start.  Are there any tips you can offer me?”

Audrey’s response:

I can see you are reaching out for help because you truly want things to change.  It is frustrating when you’ve tried so many things and still panic and worry continues to plague you.  There are a number of different things that can be done to stop the downward spiral of feelings.  Once you see even a small change it will give you hope.

Old “stories” and patterns of belief:

When you think that G-d is preying on you, it creates more upset, anger and a “it’s not fair feeling.”  This feeds the feelings of hopelessness.   It also increases the feeling of being out of control.   These negative thoughts are just one possible “story.”  One that increases negative thoughts and adds to the spiral of anxiety, and loss of hope.

New “stories” and patterns that work better:

Imagine for a moment, how different it would feel if your thought was that G-d is giving you strength to deal with panic, instead of preying on you.  Or perhaps, the thought that G-d had given you the strength to survive the panic and anxiety all theses years.  Even though the panic might still be scary,  changing your way of thinking from “being weak or being preyed on,” to the more positive one, stops the negative spiral.  Remember, we don’t know for sure what G-d purpose is, so since it is your mind – imagine something else that would serve you better.  Something that doesn’t add to the stress you already feel.   I myself truly believe that creativity is one of the “gifts” people with panic are born with.   It may be that at the moment your creativity is going in the wrong direction (that of scaring you), but it is still a gift you can learn to use in a positive helpful way.

I write this in an effort to help in some small way.  Continue reading tomorrow’s post with the 3 tips for changing thoughts for panic relief.

Continue reading the post this afternoon for more tips.
Let me know  how they work for you.  I’m always interested in any solutions people come up with in dealing with worry, anxiety or panic.  Audrey Sussman PhD, Director of the Anxiety Control Center

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