Chronic Pain

Expert Care for The Treatment of Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain

Thriving Beyond Pain & Illness: Rewiring the Brain for Resilience

“The body keeps the score. The mind and the body are not separate, and the unresolved trauma, the suppressed emotions, and the unhealed wounds will manifest in the body, often as chronic pain. Chronic pain is not just physical; it is the result of emotional and psychological stressors that have been ignored or repressed for too long.”- Dr. Gabor Maté

Chronic pain and illness impact far more than just the physical body. Living with constant pain or illness can lead to emotions like anger, confusion, isolation, shame, and despair. It takes away your sense of control and alters your understanding of what is "normal." As your body continues to let you down over weeks, months, or even years, the hope of returning to a state of normalcy feels distant, if not completely out of reach.

I understand that chronic pain and illness are more than just physical challenges—they impact every aspect of life.

By using evidence-based strategies and providing consistent support, I can help you shift from just surviving to thriving with resilience, strength, and a sense of possibility.

Pain—whether it's short-term, long-lasting, or linked to a chronic condition—is not just a physical feeling. It's an experience influenced by the brain, nervous system, and our emotional and mental reactions. When pain continues over time, it can rewire the brain, forming a cycle that intensifies discomfort and affects mood, thinking, and overall health.

I use a neuroscience-based, holistic approach to address chronic pain and illness. My approach is grounded in the belief that while pain originates in the brain, healing begins in the nervous system. Whether you're dealing with conditions such as fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders, post-viral syndromes, migraines, or ongoing pain after injury or surgery, I help you create brain-focused strategies to break the cycle of pain and regain control of your life.

Understanding The Brain-Pain Connection

Chronic pain isn’t just a symptom—it’s a neurobiological shift. The nervous system becomes sensitized, interpreting even neutral sensations as pain. The good news? Neuroplasticity allows us to retrain the brain, calming the nervous system and reducing the intensity of pain signals.

My Approach Combines:

• Brain-Nervous System-Body Connection:  Helping your brain learn to work with pain, rather than letting it dominate you.
• Somatic Interventions and Grounding Techniques:  Techniques like mindful touch, breathwork, and self-havening to soothe the nervous system and shift pain perception.
• Fostering Resilience:  Leveraging the mind-body connection to foster resilience and adaptability, allowing your body to thrive beyond pain instead of being controlled by it.
• Trauma-Informed Pain Recovery:  Understanding the deep connection between chronic pain and past trauma and addressing the nervous system to heal the root causes that sustain pain.

Pain Management Is Brain Management

I can guide you beyond temporary symptom relief to create lasting change. My personalized approach offers strategies designed specifically for your unique pain journey—whether you require mental health support, behavioral techniques, or nervous system healing.

If you're ready to embark on a science-based, compassionate path to pain relief, I'm here to support you. Remember, you are not defined by your pain—your brain has the power to heal.

I specialize in supporting individuals with chronic pain and illness. My comprehensive approach will help empower you with the tools, insights, and mindset needed to navigate your journey and move forward with resilience.

How EMDR Helps with Chronic Pain and Illness

Chronic pain often has a negative impact on mental health, potentially leading to conditions like depression or anxiety, which can, in turn, worsen the pain. Initially, an injury may cause pain, but sometimes the pain continues even after the injury heals physically. This is common with conditions like neck/back pain, fibromyalgia, cancer pain, reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and migraines. Studies show that individuals with a history of traumatic experiences are more likely to develop chronic pain, and this trauma can also include childhood emotional neglect. People with trauma tend to experience higher levels of pain from injuries, and their pain is often harder to treat.

Trauma is stored in the brain, particularly in areas related to emotions, such as the hippocampus, amygdala, and anterior cingulate cortex, which are also involved in processing pain. The brain is divided into two hemispheres, connected by the corpus callosum, and research indicates that individuals with PTSD or chronic pain show reduced activity on the left side of the brain and increased activity on the right side. The left hemisphere handles focused attention, while the right manages open attention. For example, the left side of the brain focuses on the specific injury and pain, while the right side sees the broader picture—acknowledging that while pain was experienced, healing has occurred.

Normally, new experiences are processed by the right brain, analyzed by the left brain, and then returned to the right. However, in cases of high anxiety during a traumatic event, this process can be disrupted. As a result, the pain "gets stuck" in the brain, especially in the left side, leading to the experience of chronic pain even after the injury has healed.

The good news is that the brain is adaptable, a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. This means that the brain's response to pain can change with new experiences, including therapy for trauma. Another positive development is the use of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which simulates the REM sleep process (where information is processed) by moving the eyes side to side. This stimulates both sides of the brain, helping to release the "stuck" trauma and pain. EMDR is a well-researched method for treating trauma and can reduce the intensity and sensitivity of chronic pain linked to trauma or neglect stored in the brain.

References:

Gerhardt A, Leisner S, Hartmann M, Janke S, Seidler GH, Eich W, Tesarz J. (2016) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing vs. Treatment-as-Usual for Non-Specific Chronic Back Pain Patients with Psychological Trauma: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. Front Psychiatry. 2016 Dec 20;7:201. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2016.00201. eCollection 2016. 

Grant M. (2014) Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing treatment of chronic pain. OA Musculoskeletal Medicine Aug. 17(2), 17.

Konuk, E., Zat, Z., & Kavakçı, Ö. (2018). Fibromyalgia syndrome treatment with EMDR therapy. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing EMDR therapy scripted protocols and summary sheets treating eating disorders, chronic pain and maladaptive self-care behaviors. 

Marcus, Steven (2008) An abortive treatment for migraine headaches. Journal of EMDR Practice & Research. 2(1) 15-25.

Mazzola, Alexandra, Calcagno, Marea, Lujon, Goicochea, et al., (2009) EMDR in the treatment of Chronic Pain. (2009) Journal of EMDR Practice and Research. 3(2) 66-79. 

Wertheim, B., Aarts, E. E., de Roos, C., & van Rood, Y. R. (2023). The effect of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) on abdominal pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (EMDR4IBS). Trials, 24(1), 785.

Getting Started

In my practice, I understand that pain is more than a physical experience—it’s deeply intertwined with the nervous system, emotions, and stress response.  Please contact me to set up your first appointment to get started on your healing journey.

Other Counseling Services Kathleen Provides

I am happy to offer in-person and online individual therapy services for adults.  I have practiced in the mental health field for 25+ years and have developed an expertise and passion for working with clients. I specialize in providing counseling for anxiety, chronic illness, chronic pain, depression, stress management, trauma and PTSD and more.  I also provide support for busy professionals.  I use CBT therapy, DBT therapy and EMDR therapy with great success.  If you don’t see the issue you are looking for listed, please contact me to ask if I can help you with your unique situation.  I look forward to helping you live your best life possible!