Therapy
for Chronic Pain

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA & ONLINE

Disrupt the Fear-Pain-Bracing Cycle

If you have been struggling with pain or digestive issues for more than a few months, it likely represents an emotional or traumatic pattern, otherwise known as mind-body syndrome, TMS, psychogenic pain, psychophysiologic pain, neuropathic pain, learned pain, centralized pain, or somatization. Mind-body syndrome includes generalized pain, regional pain, back pain, discomfort, dizziness, nausea, tension, numbness, acne, rashes, autoimmune diseases & other ways the body reveals stress. The body keeps the score.

If this describes you, you are not alone. There are tens of millions of people in the US struggling with mind-body symptoms that don’t respond well to the standard medical model with its heavy-handed mechanical interventions and its reductionistic & rushed attitude to patient care. As a result, treatment-resistant mind-body symptoms are fast becoming the most common reason people seek somatic therapy.

Thankfully, somatic therapy can get to the root of the issue, discharging bound survival energy behind chronic symptoms and disrupting the feedback loop of pain, fear and muscular bracing. The process brings your full nervous system back online, which leads to autonomic regulation and balance. When this happens, the body no longer needs to communicate through pain pathways and symptoms fade.

Common Mind-Body Symptoms

Psychological

Anxiety & panic
Hypervigilance
Catastrophizing
Perfectionism
People pleasing
Workaholism
Excessive rumination
Emotional dysregulation
Social withdrawal
Irritability
Phobias & avoidances
Depression & hopelessness
Loss of interest or pleasure
Low motivation
Low self-esteem & worthlessness
Guilt, shame & self-blame
Dissociation or numbness
Intrusive thoughts & nightmares

Physiological

Hypoarousal (too little energy)
Hyperarousal (too much energy)
Increased heart rate/palpitations
Muscle tension, aches, pains & numbness
Shortness of breath
Trembling or shaking
Gastrointestinal or digestive issues
Increased blood pressure
Pain & increased sensitivity
Lowered immune function
Changes in appetite
Sleep disturbances
Fatigue & exhaustion
Frequent or painful urination
Aches, pains & numbness
Changes in weight
Sexual arousal dysfunction
Poor overall health

Treatment for Mind-Body Symptoms

Somatic therapy is highly effective at treating the root cause of long-term pain & discomfort, which is bound survival energy that has not been able to discharge.

We show you practices that support nervous system to move energy to achieve regulation, or homeostatic balance. These practices teach you how to be with challenging sensations without bracing to allow energy to shift and release. Over time, your window of tolerance expands so that challenging feelings can express rather than accumulating in the body and your nervous system learns to come back to rest in parasympathetic.

We help you to unburden the original traumas that live on in your hypersensitivity to threat. To do this, we need to meet and befriend the protective parts that have learned to over-react to threat. With more understanding and acceptance, these parts calm down and start to work together as a team. With support, you are able to unburden the past events that are reflected in your present symptoms.

Lastly we help you build a personalized tool-kit for managing your symptoms for whenever they do show up, so that you never have to worry about them ahead of time. When you stop fearing your symptoms they lose their power over you and begin to fade. Clients often report forgetting about their symptoms.

Somatic Therapy helps to discharge Survival Energy and Reduce Chronic Symptoms such as Pain & Discomfort

The Evidence for Treating Pain with Therapy

A randomized controlled study in 2022 at the University of Colorado Boulder validated pain psychotherapy as the most effective treatment for chronic pain. In the study, there were 100 chronic back pain patients. Half of them received PRT twice a week for four weeks, and half of them received treatment as usual. In the PRT group, 98% of patients improved and 66% of patients were pain-free or nearly pain-free at the end of treatment. These outcomes were largely maintained one year later.

Hear What Clients Are Saying

Christina, Data Analyst, San Francisco

“From our first session I felt that we uncovered the root of my issues and that I was in good hands. Over the next year, I transformed completely. I went from having chronic pain that prevented me from continuing my career, to now entering that career path again. Look no further!”
David, Somatic Therapist, Kent

“My coach is a highly attuned listener, and processor. The way he holds 'space' is a splendid mix of wisdom, learning, guiding (to the outer edges of the comfort zone, and a little beyond) and support. He helps to shift my awareness and perspective in the most profound way. “
Declan, Software Engineer, London

“I've made actual progress rather than being stuck. Sor far, it’s the only therapist or coach I've had who's been able to talk about literature and art and all of the beautiful things that make up this world in a way that feels genuine. Our work has been very iterative and incremental. I got something in every session.”
Devon, Jewelry Designer, San Francisco

“My therapist is very open and very kind. He's really perceptive and good at listening and honoring where a person is at or what they're feeling and what they might need in that moment. He makes people feel comfortable and safe and fosters a space that felt open and comfortable.”
Faisal, Incoming MD Candidate, DC

“My therapist was instrumental to my growth and coming of age in college, and he has continued to follow-up with me ever since. This is not a business for him. This is his life's calling, and you can feel it. Our sessions have been transformative and lasting.“
Jacob, Scientist, Boston

“I found my coach engaging and curious. He's very unique and he's up to something, I think good! I feel less isolated and more heart-open and connected. I can really see myself in others. I am more in tune now, not just with people but also with animals and trees.”
James, Creative Director, Grand Rapids

“I'm better equipped to handle circumstances and better see how things work. Techniques are sticking. If you look at my brain before we started the work and now, I think there are some new neural pathways, and others that are less entrenched. Our relationship has made a big difference in my life.“
Jorge, Psychology Student, LA

“I met my therapist on a whim at one of the lowest points of my life and have since reached heights of peace, stability and self-advocacy I didn't think possible. Through Beyond, I’ve changed in resounding and permanent ways. I'm ever grateful and can't recommend the care I've received enough.”
Joshua Horsley, Podcaster, Reno

“Beyond has made a huge impact in my life. I instantly connected with my coach and I look forward to our weekly sessions. Now, when I’m stuck or ruminating I often think “what would my coach say to me?” and it really helps me tackle problems on my own. Highly, highly, recommend Beyond!”
Kim, London

“I find my coach to be a really calming and non-judgmental presence. He is very present for you when you're in a session, which I think is really important. I found it really useful and enriching to have more frameworks with which to understand myself and other people.”
Kirby, Meditation Teacher, Vancouver

“Beyond is doing such significant and special work in the world that it is difficult to tame into words. My coach has the rare ability to walk with you down the darker trails of your psyche with warmth. He holds safe and generous space. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Kris, Documentary Filmmaker, LA

“I’m a huge fan of Steven and the team at Beyond Psychology! I had a super illuminating and impactful experience. It helped unlock some personal insights and healing that had otherwise been hard to access. I would definitely recommend working with them, and personally hope to do so again in the future!”
Kuljit, Leadership Coach, DC

“I’ll be bold and say the modalities don’t matter as much as my coach’s presence. His calm and connected way of being facilitated my awareness and processing. It amplified my sense of safety and served as a mirror to reflect what was emerging within me. This allowed me to be more embodied in my experiences, which was the next step in my healing journey.”
Kyle, Actor, Bay Area

“My therapist at Beyond is amazing, it’s been really easy for me to talk out my thoughts and have assistance whenever I’ve been in a rough patch or whenever I’ve just been unsure of what to do or what steps to take with a situation. He is also very fun to talk to and very funny!”
Lisa, Psychologist and Researcher, Gothenburg

“My coach at Beyond is genuinely sincere and perceptive, and his deep passion for healing work is palpable. From our very first encounter, I sensed his non-judgmental nature. I wholeheartedly recommend working with him, as it has been an immensely positive experience.”
Osiris, Yoga Therapist, LA

“I feel like I've made real progress in my healing journey. I'm so grateful to have found someone like my Beyond coach. I highly recommend Beyond to anyone who is struggling with stress, anxiety, or other nervous system issues. Thank you for all that you do!”
Paula, Ocean Scientist, Honolulu

“My Beyond coach is deeply knowledgeable and passionate. His holistic and creative approach resonated with me and not only opened new ways of understanding, seeing and experiencing myself but also sparked my own creativity. I could relax into myself and feel connection with others without feeling judged.“
Raquel, Personal Assistant, LA

“I had such a sense of holding, safety and support that let me feel comfortable, seen and held.. My words for him are: safe, connecting, caring, and understanding. I feel grateful now and that I'm still growing and discovering different parts of me. I now have some real tools in case I hit potholes out in the world.”
Tom, Senior Product Manager, London

“My coach is really friendly and creates an open environment where it’s really easy to talk. I'm super grateful for all the work that I’ve done with him and can’t rate him highly enough. I definitely could not be where I am now without him. Thank you!”