Chronic Pain Therapy in
Walnut Creek, CA
Cari Browning, RN, LCSW
A science-backed, mind-body approach to chronic pain and persistent symptoms that helps you find relief and feel more confident in your body.
A Mind-Body Approach to Chronic Pain Therapy in Walnut Creek
Understanding Why Chronic Pain and Persistent Symptoms Can Continue
Chronic pain and persistent symptoms can be exhausting — physically and emotionally.
When symptoms linger, it’s easy to feel frustrated, dismissed, or stuck without clear answers.
Your pain and symptoms are real — even when medical tests don’t show a clear cause.
Sometimes, the brain can continue sending pain or other signals even when the body is not in danger — like a smoke alarm that keeps ringing when there is no fire.
The good news is that these patterns can change.
Through a mind-body approach and Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), I help adults and teens reduce pain and persistent symptoms and gradually return to the activities that matter most to them.
As a certified Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) clinician with advanced training through the PRT Center, I provide specialized support for individuals living with chronic pain and symptoms.
Many people I work with notice patterns like these:
Your pain or symptoms move or change — in intensity, location, or timing
Your pain or symptoms tend to flare during periods of stress or anxiety — even if they don’t seem directly related
You’ve had tests that came back normal, but you’re still experiencing pain or symptoms
You find yourself avoiding activities because you’re worried they will make your symptoms worse
You feel caught between wanting to push through and needing to be careful
If any of this resonates, you’re not alone — and there is a different way forward.
What Is Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)?
Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) is a science-backed, mind-body approach designed to reduce chronic pain and other neuroplastic symptoms by helping the brain interpret sensations differently and break the cycle that keeps pain and symptoms going.
When pain or other symptoms have been present for a long time, the nervous system can become overprotective — continuing to send signals even when there's no ongoing danger. PRT helps people respond to sensations with greater safety and confidence, reducing the fear and avoidance that can keep the nervous system stuck in a protective state.
PRT is backed by growing research and has helped many people experience meaningful relief — even after years of chronic pain and symptoms. It can be helpful for many forms of persistent pain and other neuroplastic symptoms, particularly when symptoms are influenced by an overprotective nervous system. These include:
migraines and chronic headaches
fibromyalgia
back, neck, and joint pain
pelvic pain
dizziness
digestive (GI) symptoms
tinnitus
other persistent pain and neuroplastic symptoms
My Approach to Chronic Pain Therapy
Living with chronic pain or persistent symptoms can make you feel like your body is working against you.
My goal is to help you rebuild a sense of safety in your body.
As both a Registered Nurse and therapist, I take a whole-person, mind-body approach, understanding how closely pain, stress, emotions, and physical health are connected. You can learn more about my background and how I work on my About page.
In addition to Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), we may incorporate CBT for chronic pain, ACT, mindfulness, Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), and gentle somatic tools.
We move at your pace — never forcing or overwhelming your system.
Over time, many clients notice less pain and fewer symptoms, better sleep, more energy, and a greater sense of ease.
Ready to Find Relief from Chronic Pain & Symptoms?
You don’t have to navigate chronic pain and symptoms alone. Relief is possible — and the right support can make a meaningful difference. You don't need to push through or prove anything.
I offer in-person sessions in downtown Walnut Creek, as well as 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 page.
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 and symptoms are real. Chronic pain and neuroplastic symptoms are not imagined or made up. We now understand that the brain and body are deeply connected. Stress, emotions, and the nervous system can all influence how pain and other symptoms are experienced — which also means there are more ways to support healing.
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PRT is a structured, science-backed therapy developed to treat chronic pain and other neuroplastic symptoms. In sessions, we work on noticing pain and other sensations differently — with curiosity instead of fear — which helps interrupt the brain's alarm response over time. It's typically used alongside other tools such as CBT, ACT, EAET, or somatic work, depending on what fits you best.
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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.
