Chronic pain

I have a particular interest in working psychotherapeutically with chronic pain and physical symptoms.

Physical suffering often goes hand in hand with emotional distress. Long-term pain can be seriously restrictive, impacting upon people's relationships, work and mental health.

Furthermore, recent research in neurobiology shows that emotional distress and trauma can actually be at the root of many physical symptoms. Of course, pain is often the result of an injury or medical condition. However, many people with long-term physical symptoms have no medical explanation for their suffering. In these kind of cases, psychotherapy can help.

All pain originates in the brain -- and trauma, fear and anxiety shape how the brain functions. This sometimes leaves the brain overly sensitive to danger and prone to producing pain -- even when, physically, there is nothing wrong. In these instances, the pain or symptom is absolutely real. However, understanding and addressing the issue requires working on an emotional level -- this is where psychotherapy comes in.

In my work with chronic pain and physical symptoms, I help people calm and regulate the nervous system. I support individuals to reconnect to their bodies and to access, feel and process their emotions. In doing so, people can come to feel safer in their minds and bodies, dialing down the brain's pain-responses and easing physical symptoms.