Therapist John Gasienica talks with physician Dr. Becca Kennedy and patient “Sarah” about shifting from rumination to safety, processing medical trauma, and using simple emotional and somatic tools to calm the nervous system and reduce pelvic pain. A practical look at feeling safer right now—even when your brain wants certainty.

In this episode, John Gasienica sits down with Dr. David Clarke to explore the hidden stressors beneath chronic pain and trauma. Together, they walk patient Rachel through practical tools to unlearn pain, build self-compassion, and find healing.

In this episode of the PRT Podcast, therapist and host John Gasienica sits down with Vanessa Blackstone, Executive Director of the Pain Psychology Center and co-author of The Pain Reprocessing Therapy Workbook, for a candid, compassionate conversation about one of the biggest roadblocks to healing: perfectionism. They explore the real-life journey of Jaycie, a nurse and mom grappling with chronic pain, burnout, and the relentless pressure to keep it all together. Through Jaycie’s story, we learn how urgency, self-criticism, and emotional suppression fuel nervous system dysregulation—and how accessing self-compassion (the real kind, not the bubble bath kind) can begin to reverse it. Vanessa and John break down the science of freeze responses, why joy and creativity are essential for recovery, and how to start speaking to yourself the way you would speak to someone you love. Vulnerable, funny, and refreshingly honest, this episode is a must-listen for anyone stuck in cycles of pain and pressure.

John is joined by Daniel Lyman, therapist and Executive Director of Mind Body Therapy Center, for a powerful session with June, a patient navigating the ups and downs of chronic migraines and emotional repression. This episode dives deeper into the emotional roots of neuroplastic pain, exploring fear, anger, and sadness using exposure-based techniques. June opens up about the inner conflicts fueling her symptoms, and John guides her through processing emotions in real time, helping her shift from suppression to empowerment—a must-listen for anyone hitting a healing plateau.

In this transformative follow-up to Episode 4, psychotherapist John Gasienica guides patient David through a real-time therapy session—joined by mind-body medicine pioneer Dr. Howard Schubiner. Building on David’s recent neuroplastic pain diagnosis, this episode explores the emotional patterns and subconscious fear responses that keep chronic symptoms alive. As David confronts past trauma, guilt, and anxiety, you’ll hear powerful shifts unfold live—both physically and emotionally. Dr. Schubiner offers insight throughout, breaking down why these techniques work and how healing happens when the brain feels safe. Whether you're a practitioner or someone living with pain, this episode offers profound hope and practical tools for lasting change.

In part one of this two-part experimental series, patient David undergoes a full neuroplastic pain assessment with Dr. Matt McClanahan, DO — a board-certified physician and expert in chronic pain. Join John Gasienica, LCSW, as he explores the nuanced diagnostic process, how emotional and historical factors play a role in chronic symptoms, and what it means when pain has no clear structural cause. This conversation will shift your understanding of pain and recovery.

Rumination—those endless loops of worry, symptom monitoring, and "what if" thinking—can make chronic pain worse by keeping the nervous system stuck in a state of high alert. In this episode, therapist John Gasienica works with Leslie, a new mom struggling with chronic pelvic pain and obsessive thoughts about her symptoms. John, alongside expert therapist Callie Klebanoff, breaks down the Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) blueprint for disrupting rumination and retraining the brain to feel safe. They discuss: - Why rumination is one of the biggest roadblocks to pain recovery. - How overthinking reinforces pain pathways in the brain. - Practical strategies for shifting from fear-based thinking to self-compassion. - A real-time session where Leslie learns to calm her nervous system and reduce pain. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your thoughts about pain, this episode will give you the tools to break free from the cycle and start healing.

In this episode, John Gasienica, LCSW, assists a client in uncovering hidden emotions that are hindering his recovery from chronic pain. Joining John is Christie Uipi, LCSW, a leading expert in pain psychology. Together, they dive into the powerful connection between emotions and recovery, offering deep insights and practical strategies for both clients and practitioners.

In this episode of The Pain Reprocessing Therapy Podcast, John Gasienica and Daniella Deutsch discuss the transformative power of Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) in overcoming chronic pain. They share the inspiring journey of Anna, a patient who learns to harness the appropriate motivation and energy to successfully use PRT techniques like somatic tracking and emotional awareness. Anna’s story illustrates how retraining the brain’s perception of pain can lead to lasting recovery. Whether you’re a patient seeking relief from pain or a practitioner looking for effective tools, this episode offers key insights into the healing process through PRT.