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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Testimonials:

“Irritable Bowel Syndrome controlled my life for over 20 years. Panic attacks brought me to therapy. I learned skills that enabled me to do things I had never dared before. The panic is gone. The IBS is under control.” K.C.

“When I started therapy, I was completely drained of energy. I was truly amazed at how energized I felt after using a Positive Future Image.” M.H.

“When I first started learning these techniques, I was very doubtful they would work for me. I was delightfully amazed when I was able to use these skills to get rid of migraine headaches.” M.G.

“Your great insight is truly helping me understand how to communicate in a new and more effective way”. C.G

“I’m letting go of feeling like I was suppose to know everything about parenting and being more like myself.  I feel such a weight lifting off my shoulders”.  A.B.

“My anxiety now comes and goes, sometimes  a little bit more and at times so much less. That in itself feels like a miracle, it’s been 20 years and finally I feel like there is hope.  It is a journey and I remember your words when the anxiety shows it’s face”.  D.I.

“It helps to to know that I have feelings and needs as a parent . . .  I never recognized or understood that it was OK for me to have needs too.  I thought I was just supposed to keep giving and giving and meet my children’s needs all the time, even when it made me feel unappreciated.”  R.R

“I’m still adjusting to the knew skills, as I learn how to be an “active” listener and how to talk so others really hear what I feel.   I’m now communicating more of how I feel.  I definitely want to support others in who they are and how they feel and I too, just as I want to be supported in who I am and how I feel.”  M.K.

“Thanks for the recommendation of the book and for explaining it in a way that made it possible for me to follow.  You seem to understand what I’ve been experiencing with my panic and fear.  And as I practice the exercises they hit the places I need to release my fears.”  B.F.

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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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I received the an email from a person who is suffering from panic and anxiety.  She read something on my blog that stimulated her to reach out for help.  I can see she truly has tried to stop the suffering that anxiety, worry and panic are causing in her life.

As you read her questions, it might stimulate your own thoughts about why you are suffering.  As you will see she is feeling that G-d is preying on her, making her feel weak by giving her panic and anxiety.  What I hope you will find as you read my response, is that there is another way to see panic and to think about the “why” we have it.

The tips I am giving are a place to start.  For this article we’ll be discussing techniques to stop the thoughts (cognitive part) that feed the panic cycle.  When you use these techniques you’ll find that it puts a different “spin” or way of looking at panic.  I realize that it is horrible to feel out of control with worry, panic, bowel problems or anger.   And also how hard it may have been, in the past, to change old patterns and beliefs, yet there are ways you can use to change fearful, or negative thoughts.  Ways to get back in control, and techniques that can be learned to stop “feeding” these issues.

Continue reading tomorrow for the questions and tips I offered.  Let me know  how they work for you, and any solutions you use that work for you.   Audrey Sussman PhD, director of the Anxiety Control Center

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