Methods
are Flexible
METHOD 1:
USING MIND-BODY MEDICINE TO RECOVER FROM CHRONIC PAIN
PAIN REPROCESSING THERAPY (PRT)
An Evidence-Based Method to Chronic Pain
Exploring Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)
Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) is an evidence-based method that teaches the brain to respond correctly to body signals, breaking the cycle of chronic pain. A key technique in PRT is somatic tracking, which combines mindfulness, safety reappraisal, and positive affect induction to help clients perceive pain through a lens of safety, deactivating the pain signal. Understanding the neuroscience of pain is fundamental to my approach. By educating the clients on pain science, we can retrain the brain to move away from patterns of over-protection and pain, calming physical symptoms.
Further Techniques Used in PRT Sessions
In my sessions, I integrate various techniques to regulate the nervous system and reduce fear linked to symptoms and activities.
Key practices include:
Trauma-informed safety techniques, polyvagal-informed practices, imaginative guided imagery, enhanced somatic awareness, compassionate inquiry, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), breath work & mindfulness meditation, journaling, gentle movement and fun fitness exercises, and EMDR.
We are Building Your Skills for Lasting Relief
These tools help us navigate the emotional landscapes often intertwined with chronic pain experiences. Throughout our journey, you'll learn valuable skills to deal with fear as your mentor versus your enemy and understand avoidance patterns linked to pain.
Additionally, I incorporate Internal Family Systems Therapy to guide your inner world and nervous system toward a comforting sense of safety.
METHOD 2:
USING A COMPASSIONATE & INTEGRATIVE APPROACH TO RECOVERY
INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS THERAPY (IFS)
The IFS Revolution
Imagine your mind as a bustling city, each part of you is like a different character in this urban drama. There’s the Workaholic who never takes a break, the Critic who’s always got something to say, and the Carefree Child who wants to have fun. Sometimes, these parts are at odds, leading to chaos and inner turmoil. But what if they could all work together in harmony?
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
is a compassionate, evidence-based therapeutic and coaching approach that helps individuals explore and harmonize their inner world. IFS, often referred to as “parts work”, is a gentle, non-pathologizing model that effectively addresses suppressed emotions, trauma, limiting beliefs, and challenging patterns. Combined with mind-body practices and techniques for calming the nervous system, this evidence-based inside-out approach is deeply healing. It gently frees up areas of your life that have been dominated by pain due to self-criticism, overwork, feelings of inadequacy, shame, perfectionism, and other stresses. This approach fosters Self-leadership, guiding individuals to connect gently with these vulnerable parts, leading to greater overall well-being and relief from chronic conditions.
Example 1: Chronic Back Pain
Meet Sarah, who has been struggling with chronic back pain for years. Through IFS, Sarah learns that her pain is linked to different ‘parts’ within her. One part, known as the Protector, manifests as her chronic pain to shield her from deeper emotional hurt. As she works with this part, she discovers a deeper-rooted cause – a wounded part that holds past trauma. By gently connecting with and “unburdening” this part, Sarah experiences a significant shift in her back pain, sometimes even complete relief. When the pain does return, she now has the tools to self-regulate, turning what was once a fear point into a gentle reminder to care for herself more holistically.
Example 2: Migraines
Frank experiences frequent migraines linked to emotional stress. Through IFS, he discovers a Protector part that triggers migraines to manage his stress. As he deepens his exploration, he uncovers a vulnerable part beneath it - one carrying fears from his past. By addressing this part with care, Frank not only reduces the frequency and intensity of his migraines but also learns to self-regulate when they arise. Instead of responding with harsh inner criticism or shame, he now meets himself with self-care, compassion, and kindness.
METHOD 3:
USING A BODY-CENTERED APPROACH TO RECOVERY
POLYVAGAL-INFORMED COACHING
Understanding Healing Through the Nervous System
Have you ever felt exhausted for no reason or struggled with pain that doctors can’t explain? Chronic conditions, pain, and trauma are often stored in the autonomic nervous system, particularly within its survival states; and can be regulated through body-centered practices that gently guide the system back to safety and balance. The Polyvagal-Informed Body-Centered Approach is rooted in the deep connection between the nervous system and the body. Instead of seeing chronic symptoms as random or irreversible, this method acknowledges them as intelligent adaptations to prolonged stress. By engaging in mindful movement, breathwork, and somatic awareness, we help individuals restore a sense of safety within themselves and their environment.
How the Autonomic Nervous System Shapes Healing: Polyvagal Theory offers profound insight into how the nervous system responds to stress and safety. When someone experiences trauma or chronic stress, their nervous system may get stuck in survival states—fight, flight, or freeze. This dysregulation can manifest as chronic pain, tension, exhaustion, or unexplained symptoms. By working directly with the nervous system rather than against it, healing becomes a process of reconnection rather than resistance. A body-centered approach helps clients reconnect with their physical sensations in a way that feels safe, enjoyable, and freeing.
A Client’s Journey:
Thomas’ Path to Healing. Thomas, a professional in his early 40s, had suffered from chronic digestive issues and unexplained fatigue for years. Despite numerous medical tests ruling out serious conditions, his symptoms persisted. He often felt anxious, restless, and disconnected from his body, unable to fully relax even in moments of rest.
Step 1:
Recognizing the Nervous System Response. Thomas learned that his body was in chronic sympathetic activation, meaning his nervous system was stuck in a state of high alert. His symptoms were not random; they were signals from his body, trying to cope with unresolved stress. Understanding this alone brought him a sense of relief—it wasn’t “all in his head.”
Step 2:
Engaging the Body for Regulation. Instead of merely managing symptoms, I guided Thomas through gentle practices that signaled safety to his nervous system: Grounding Exercises, Breathwork, Body-Awareness Practices, and Joyful Movement.
Step 3:
Rewiring Safety into the System. As Thomas consistently engaged in these practices, he noticed remarkable shifts. Most importantly, he developed a sense of control over his nervous system, recognizing early signs of dysregulation and responding with self-care rather than fear.
The Power of Small Steps. Adding a Polyvagal-informed approach to recovery is not about forcing change—it’s about inviting safety and trust back into the system. When we consistently engage with our bodies in a gentle, supportive way, we begin to shift from survival mode into a state of regulation and resilience. This method blends cutting-edge neuroscience with self-regulation and embodiment practices, offering a lasting path to well-being.
NOT EVERY METHOD IS FOR EVERYONE
To address the diverse needs of my clients, I also work with modules, including:
- Somatic Trauma Therapy
- Compassionate Inquiry (CI)
- Personalized & FUN Workout Sequences
- Resilience & Health Coaching
- Somatic Embodiment & Regulation Strategies
- EMDR
- Yoga and Breathing Techniques
- Personality Typing Systems (The Enneagram/Life Colors)
… and more.