Chronic Pain Therapy in Walnut Creek
Find Relief with Mind-Body Healing
How Chronic Pain Can Persist — Even After the Body Has Healed
Chronic pain can be exhausting — physically and emotionally. When symptoms linger for months or years, it’s easy to feel frustrated, dismissed, or like your body has turned against you. What many people don’t realize is that pain is not always a sign of ongoing injury. Research shows that the brain and nervous system play a powerful role in how pain is experienced. Sometimes, even after the body has healed, the nervous system can remain stuck in “protection mode,” continuing to send pain signals long after they’re needed.
The good news is that these patterns can change. Through a mind-body approach and Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), I help adults and teens calm their nervous system, reduce chronic pain, and gradually return to the activities they care about.
How Therapy Helps Retrain the Brain and Nervous System
When pain has been present for a long time, the nervous system can become overprotective. The brain’s job is to keep you safe, and sometimes it learns to send pain signals even when there’s no ongoing injury — almost like a smoke alarm that goes off long after the fire is out.
The brain is capable of change. Through a process called neuroplasticity, we gently retrain these patterns. Therapy helps your nervous system learn that your body is safe again, reducing fear signals, calming the stress response, and gradually turning down the “volume” on pain.
In our work together, we use a mind-body approach that combines education, emotional processing, and practical tools to help you reconnect with your body in a way that feels safer. Many clients notice that as their nervous system settles, their pain begins to soften too.
It’s common for physical symptoms to improve as stress levels decrease. If stress or other health concerns feel like a bigger part of what you’re experiencing, you can learn more about my Stress & Health Therapy services.
One science-backed method I use is Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), which teaches the brain to interpret sensations differently and break the cycle of chronic pain. Rather than pushing through or fighting your body, we focus on building safety, confidence, and trust — so you can begin moving through your life with more ease and confidence.
Who Chronic Pain Therapy Can Help
Chronic pain looks different for everyone. You might have tried medications, physical therapy, or several different approaches and still feel stuck or discouraged. Many people I work with are thoughtful, capable, and doing their best — but their nervous system has been under stress for a long time.
This approach may be a good fit if you:
Have pain that has lasted for months or years, even after injuries have healed
Notice your symptoms flare with stress, anxiety, or life changes
Feel frustrated or dismissed by being told “nothing is wrong,” even though the pain is very real
Avoid activities you used to enjoy because you’re afraid of making things worse
Live with ongoing or unexplained pain that doesn’t seem to go away
Want a gentle, science-backed approach that works with your brain and body
You don’t need to push through or prove anything. Healing often begins with helping your body feel safe again. With the right support, many people are pleasantly surprised by how much change is possible.
What Is Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)?
Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) is a science-backed, mind-body approach designed to help reduce and relieve chronic pain by retraining how the brain interprets signals from the body.
When pain has been present for a long time, the brain can get stuck in a loop of protection — continuing to send pain signals even after the body has healed. PRT gently helps interrupt this cycle. Rather than focusing only on managing symptoms, we work with the brain and nervous system to change the underlying patterns that keep pain going.
In sessions, we combine education about how pain works, mindfulness and somatic awareness skills, and practical tools that help your body feel safe again. As your nervous system learns that you’re not in danger, pain signals often begin to soften or fade.
PRT is backed by growing research and has helped many people experience meaningful, lasting relief — even after years of chronic pain. Most importantly, it’s a compassionate, collaborative process. We move at your pace, building confidence and trust in your body along the way.
If you’re curious whether this approach might be a good fit for you, we can talk through your symptoms and goals during a free consultation.
My Approach to Chronic Pain Therapy
Living with chronic pain can make you feel like your body is working against you. My goal is to help you rebuild a sense of safety, trust, and confidence in your body — not to push through or “fight” your symptoms.
As both a therapist and a Registered Nurse, I bring a whole-person, mind-body approach to our work together. I understand how closely pain, stress, emotions, and physical health are connected, and I tailor therapy to support your nervous system as well as your emotional well-being.
Our sessions are collaborative and practical. Alongside Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), we may incorporate mindfulness, gentle somatic tools, and skills drawn from ACT and compassion-based therapies.
You set the pace. We move gently — never forcing or overwhelming your system. Over time, many clients notice less pain, better sleep, more energy, and a greater sense of ease.
Healing doesn’t have to mean pushing harder. Often, it begins with learning how to slow down, listen, and support your body in a new way.
Ready to Get Started?
You don’t have to navigate chronic pain alone. Relief is possible, and the right support can make a real difference.
I’d be honored to support you. I offer in-person sessions in Walnut Creek and virtual therapy throughout California.
If your symptoms feel more connected to stress or other health concerns, you might find it helpful to explore my Stress & Health Therapy services.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. Research shows that the brain and nervous system play an important role in how pain is experienced. When pain becomes chronic, the nervous system can stay stuck in protection mode, continuing to send pain signals even after the body has healed. Therapy helps break this cycle by helping your body feel safer and teaching your brain to respond differently — which often leads to meaningful relief.
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Yes. Your pain is real. Chronic pain is not imagined or made up. What we now understand is that the brain and body are deeply connected. Stress, emotions, and the nervous system all influence how pain is felt — which also means there are more ways to support healing.
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Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) is a science-backed, mind-body approach that helps retrain how the brain interprets pain signals. In sessions, we gently work to change protective patterns that are no longer needed, helping your brain and body feel safer and more at ease. This creates space for healing to happen naturally.
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Sessions are collaborative and practical, paced in a way that feels comfortable for you. We combine education, simple tools, and supportive guidance to help you reconnect with your body in a way that feels confident and at ease. You set the pace, and we work together toward steady, sustainable change over time.
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I offer in-person therapy in Walnut Creek as well as virtual sessions throughout California. Many clients find virtual therapy just as effective and appreciate the comfort and flexibility of meeting from home.