Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)

I came to Helen’s practice because of chronic moderate abdominal pain that I had been experiencing for about a year.  I had seen multiple medical professionals about my abdominal pain previously, and had been diagnosed with IBS and prescribed medicine which did not help.  With the counseling and resources that Helen provided, I was able to identify the connection between my abdominal pain and my inner state of mind, specifically fear and anxiety.  As I practiced mindfulness with Helen’s help, over the span of a couple months, the pain was entirely relieved.  I am now much more aware of my mind-body connection, and am able to enjoy life without IBS!

Helen was truly my lifesaver. After being a competitive dancer my whole life, I was left with a horrible pain in my left foot that was with me for years. At points I could barely walk or get out of bed because the pain was so unbearable. I was diagnosed with stress fractures and Morton’s Neuroma throughout my teens and early 20s. I had X-rays, MRIs, walking boots, ultrasounds and surgery. When I had my first surgery, I thought the pain would finally be over! However, after surgery the same pain was still there. I completely gave up all hope and was convinced I’d never be a normal 20 year old girl. I was referred to Helen by a friend (who was sick of hearing me complain) and my whole life changed for the better! Helen truly was like a magician. We worked through lots of trauma and anxieties I had throughout my life along the way. By our 4th meeting, I was completely pain free. The tips and tricks she gave me for managing pain is still with me today and I use them all the time. I am proud to report that I am 3 years pain free and truly so thankful I was connected with Helen!

I had lower back pain for years from a high school football injury.  I went to see Helen with a “what can it hurt attitude”.  In our first session, the location of the pain changed and differed in intensity, and kinda freaked me out.  After 5 sessions my long term back pain was gone,  I also had the tools to notice how my mental state affects my physical state, and deal with other pain issues as the arose.  This therapy was not what I had expected it to be, but it really did make a difference.

I came to Helen because I had severe chronic eye pain from the condition which caused my blindness. She helped me to think about my pain in a whole new way in just eleven hours of work over six sessions. We went all the way back to my childhood and teenage years, but the process felt surprisingly gentle and very focused. Not only did I eliminate my eye pain, I also got rid of my intense headaches, which I hadn’t even considered. The severe dryness in both of my eyes also resolved (which used to require eyedrops every hour, and my ophthalmologist said there was nothing else he could do). It goes beyond getting rid of pain. Now I can see the emotional patterns that are related to my pain, effectively manage my stress and anger, and live the life I deserve.

I sought out Helen after numerous Cardiologist appointments and tests to determine if there was something wrong with my heart. Out of nowhere I was getting palpitations, chest tightness, and even pain spikes all around my torso. I thought my heart was in danger. I also started suffering from severe heartburn and sour stomach. I felt like I was losing control over my life and panic attacks were becoming a default. After sitting down with Helen and going through all the details with her, she made it clear that my chronic symptoms were somatic.

I was manifesting emotional issues into physical symptoms because I was afraid to face them. This was new for me and I was not equipped to navigate it alone. In 13 sessions, I learned how to meditate and calm myself down during a panic attack. In addition, I was able to understand my general emotional patterns and grow comfortable with them. Helen taught me how to break the fear cycle of my symptoms, slow down, and address my feelings. It has been a tough road but extremely rewarding. I feel like I have my life back thanks to her. 

I was struggling with chronic pain for over a decade, at different times in my ankles, knees, hips, low back, shoulders, and forearms. I had gotten MRIs, physical therapy, diet change, blood testing, all to little effect. When I started working with Helen, she identified that my pain was psychosomatic. She helped me to realize that my pain was a manifestation of underlying anxiety. Helen taught me how to make the pain go away through mindfulness practice. For four years now, I have successfully ridden myself of chronic pain. If I ever have pain creeping up again, I use the techniques Helen taught me, and I can make the pain disappear.

I had been living with chronic hip and knee pain after sustaining injuries while running that persisted despite physical therapy, steroid injections, and orthopedic surgeries. Having run out or options for treatment, I began working with Helen and had significant pain relief in our first session, which shocked me. In meeting with Helen my healing process was very comprehensive. She taught me about the mind body connection and how pain is produced in the brain and connected to my emotions. Helen gave me the tools to learn not to fear my pain and how to neutralize the negative emotions attached to my pain. Our sessions also focused on past trauma and stressors that I had not previously associated with my physical pain. I am now overjoyed to say I am completely pain free and have Helen to thank for it.