Brian Berger, LMHC

Brian Berger, LMHC is a Sleep Medicine practitioner dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), at his clinic in Stuart, FL. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, Dr. Brian LMHC understands the crucial role of sleep in overall wellness and is committed to preventing long-term health complications. He works collaboratively with pulmonologists, neurologists, and otolaryngologists to create personalized long-term health plans, coordinate necessary screenings, and manage patients' overall wellness. He serves all ages and is committed to evidence-based medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. To confirm Dr. Brian LMHC's availability for new patients, please call (772) 320-5885.

Dr. Brian LMHC's approach to Sleep Medicine is rooted in prevention, focusing on the interplay of sleep and overall health. Your general Sleep Medicine physician is your primary partner in preventing long-term health complications from sleep disorders. He emphasizes personalized care, creating comprehensive long-term health plans that incorporate preventative screenings and ongoing collaboration with specialists. This collaborative approach ensures patients receive the best possible care, addressing potential issues proactively. Dr. Brian LMHC is committed to empowering all patients, regardless of age, to take an active role in their health journey. Dr. Brian LMHC provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Brian LMHC is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Brian LMHC can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Brian LMHC provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Snoring: Snoring might indicate underlying sleep disorders that affect your quality of life and increase your risk for serious health problems; seeking medical advice is a proactive step for preventive care.
• Rett's Syndrome: Because Rett syndrome often involves sleep problems, proactive monitoring for sleep disturbances and early intervention with therapies can significantly help prevent or lessen secondary health issues.
• Migrainous Vertigo: Managing migrainous vertigo effectively can help prevent the development of chronic dizziness and its impact on your daily life.
• Restless Leg Syndrome: Managing Restless Legs Syndrome is crucial for preventing fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and other health issues caused by chronic sleep disruption.
• Conversion Disorder: Conversion disorder, where stress manifests as physical symptoms like paralysis or blindness, can disrupt sleep and worsen long-term health; early detection and stress management are crucial for preventing sleep problems and related complications.
• Concussion: A concussion, even a mild one, can disrupt sleep patterns and increase the risk of long-term sleep problems, highlighting the importance of early evaluation and appropriate management to prevent future health issues.
• Psychophysiological Insomnia: If you're constantly stressed about not sleeping, you may have psychophysiological insomnia – proactive management prevents the development of more serious sleep disorders and related health issues.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Brian LMHC offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Proactively address emotional challenges impacting your sleep with Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT); this therapy helps you develop healthier coping strategies for better rest.
• Deep Brain Stimulation Evaluation: Proactively address your sleep difficulties by having a deep brain stimulation evaluation; it could be the key to unlocking better sleep and improved quality of life.
• Parenting Classes: Invest in your family's health by gaining skills to recognize and respond to sleep problems in children, leading to early interventions if needed.
• Nutritional Counseling: Discover how the right foods can support healthy sleep patterns and improve your overall well-being with personalized nutritional guidance.
• Ambulatory EEG With Video Monitoring: Proactively address potential sleep problems by having an ambulatory EEG with video monitoring. This advanced test captures both brain activity and sleep patterns, providing valuable information for diagnosing disorders that may cause daytime drowsiness or other health issues.
• Snoring Therapy: Proactively address your snoring with a comprehensive evaluation; snoring therapy can detect underlying sleep apnea or other conditions before they cause serious health issues.
• Ketamine Infusions: For some individuals with severe treatment-resistant depression, ketamine infusions offer a potential avenue to improve sleep and reduce the risk of long-term health issues associated with poor sleep.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Sleep Medicine in Florida.

Dr. Brian LMHC is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• Recognizing snoring as a potential indicator of an underlying sleep disorder, a patient proactively sought guidance from a sleep specialist. This early intervention allowed them to address the issue and improve their overall sleep quality, reducing the risk of future health concerns.
• By proactively addressing potential sleep issues, a family gained valuable insights into early detection strategies, significantly reducing the risk of secondary health concerns related to Rett syndrome. This proactive approach fostered peace of mind and empowered them to focus on their child's overall well-being.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Sleep Medicine care with Dr. Brian LMHC:

What is a Sleep Medicine specialist?

A sleep medicine specialist is a board-certified doctor who has specialized training in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. Often with backgrounds in pulmonology, neurology, or otolaryngology, they bring a unique perspective to identifying the underlying causes of your sleep problems.

What is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and why is it a health risk?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to a blocked airway. Untreated OSA is a major risk factor for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Treatment is a critical step in preventing these serious long-term complications.

What happens during a sleep study (polysomnogram)?

During a sleep study, we monitor your brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and body movements overnight. This non-invasive test provides a complete picture of your sleep patterns, serving as the gold standard for accurately diagnosing sleep disorders and creating an effective prevention plan.

Are there alternatives to CPAP for treating sleep apnea?

Yes, there are important alternatives to CPAP, such as custom-made oral appliances to reposition the jaw, and surgical options to address anatomical blockages. These can be valuable components of a personalized treatment plan.

What is narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological condition where the brain struggles to regulate sleep-wake cycles, leading to excessive daytime sleepiness and sometimes cataplexy. While there's no cure, a sleep specialist can create a management plan using medication and lifestyle changes to help prevent symptoms from significantly impacting daily life.

What is a circadian rhythm disorder?

Circadian rhythm disorders are problems with the body's internal 24-hour clock, often causing a misalignment between this internal clock and the external environment. A sleep specialist can help reset this clock using strategies like light therapy and timed melatonin to improve sleep patterns.

What is the difference between a home sleep apnea test and an in-lab study?

A home sleep apnea test is a simpler screening tool for straightforward obstructive sleep apnea. An in-lab study is a more comprehensive test used for complex cases or to diagnose other sleep disorders like narcolepsy or parasomnias.

How is chronic insomnia treated?

Treatment for chronic insomnia goes beyond just sleeping pills. Our approach emphasizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), a program that retrains your brain and body for healthy sleep by addressing the thoughts and behaviors that interfere with it. CBT-I is often the most effective long-term solution.

616 SE Central Pkwy
Stuart FL 34994
Phone: (772) 320-5885

Brian Berger, LMHC is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1730652116

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Sleep Medicine like Dr. Brian LMHC are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your sleep medicine about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.