Pain Reprocessing Therapy Podcast

• Thinking Less and Feeling Better

  In this episode, we explore how “thinking less” and feeling safer in the present can quiet the nervous system and ease chronic symptoms. Dr. Becca Kennedy, a board-certified family medicine physician who treats neuroplastic conditions, joins John to unpack medical invalidation, loneliness in chronic pain, and why learning to access anger, compassion, and play can unlock recovery. You’ll also hear a real coaching segment with “Sarah,” navigating vulvodynia, fear, and uncertainty with step-by-step emotional work and somatic tracking.What you’ll learnWhy certainty isn’t required for recovery—and how to “negotiate” with the brain’s demand for it.A gentle, repeatable way to sit with fear and sadness so safety messages can finally land.How practicing anger expression (safely) restores agency after medical gaslighting.Somatic tracking: Relaxing bracing and signaling “nothing to protect”.Re-introducing play and joy as evidence to your brain that you’re safe—even while symptoms are present.Rough timeline0:00 Intro — symptoms fade when we feel safer, not when we solve everything2:00 Disclaimer & PRT training mention3:00 Meet Dr. Becca Kennedy; path to neuroplastic care6:00 Vulvodynia labels: validation vs. harm7:00 Sarah’s story: yeast infection → persistent pelvic pain, despair, isolation14:00 Processing the emotions of being in pain (not just past trauma)20:00 Guided exercise: feeling fear/helplessness with compassion in the “life raft”29:00 Accessing frustration/anger and why it’s protective to express it37:00 Living with uncertainty; safety in the now vs. promises about later43:00 Safety visualization and re-introducing play50:00 Fun as medicine; nature, joy, and daily moments of ease51:00 Parting encouragement & hopeGuestDr. Becca Kennedy — Resilience Healthcare (neuroplastic conditions, long COVID, chronic pain)Mentioned/ConceptsPain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), somatic tracking, Emotional Awareness & Expression Therapy (EAET), nervous system regulation, medical trauma, safety signals.  Resources and Additional LinksLearn More About Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)Subscribe for updates, resources, and insights in the world of chronic pain and Pain Reprocessing Therapy.Patient HubPractitioner HubLearn about WellBody Psychotherapy and how our certified therapists and coaches can support your healing journey: Visit WellBodyEmail Us: [email protected]

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• Healing Trauma Without the Drama

  In this episode of the PRT Podcast, host John Gasienica, LCSW, is joined by Dr. David Clarke, a board-certified physician in internal medicine and gastroenterology and co-founder of the Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms.John and Dr. Clarke discuss how trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can shape chronic pain and stress, and why traditional tools don’t always work for those with PTSD. Together, they guide patient Rachel through techniques to face emotions of grief, fear, and anger, while learning to see physical symptoms as expressions of emotions rather than signs of damage.Key topics include:Understanding trauma as a driver of chronic painThe three major consequences of childhood trauma (triggers, suppressed emotions, and people-pleasing)Why stillness and compassion can feel unsafe for trauma survivorsHow to use the physiological sigh and mindfulness tools for regulationSteps to build self-esteem, self-compassion, and sustainable healingFeatured Guests:Dr. David Clarke – Physician, author of They Can’t Find Anything Wrong, expert in neuroplastic pain, co-author of Psychophysiological DisordersRachel – Patient guest sharing her journey with trauma, PTSD, and recoveryClick here to access the free meditations mentioned by John in the podcast! Resources and Additional LinksLearn More About Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)Subscribe for updates, resources, and insights in the world of chronic pain and Pain Reprocessing Therapy.Patient HubPractitioner HubLearn about WellBody Psychotherapy and how our certified therapists and coaches can support your healing journey: Visit WellBodyEmail Us: [email protected]

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• The No BS Guide to Self-Compassion

  Perfectionism, pressure, and the belief that we’re never “enough” are some of the most overlooked drivers of chronic pain and today’s episode digs deep into how to break that cycle.Therapist John Gasienica and special guest Vanessa Blackstone explore the emotional patterns behind nervous system dysregulation through the story of Jaycie, a nurse and mom dealing with chronic pain and burnout. They uncover how early life messages, people-pleasing, and emotional suppression (especially around anger and rest) keep us stuck and how to begin softening those patterns with real, grounded self-compassion.Vanessa also shares personal reflections on grief and healing, and the episode walks listeners through somatic and visualization tools to begin shifting pain from the inside out. Resources and Additional LinksLearn More About Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)Subscribe for updates, resources, and insights in the world of chronic pain and Pain Reprocessing Therapy.Patient HubPractitioner HubLearn about WellBody Psychotherapy and how our certified therapists and coaches can support your healing journey: Visit WellBodyEmail Us: [email protected]

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• Why Hasn't Journaling Healed Me Yet?

  In this episode, we continue our deep dive with Daniel Lyman as we analyze a session with June, a filmmaker who’s made major strides in her chronic pain recovery but finds herself stuck. Together, we unpack the fear, anger, and sadness that have been underlying her migraines—and how reframing these emotions as protective allies can create powerful breakthroughs.Daniel shares insights from his OCD and pain reprocessing background, and John uses emotional exposure and paradoxical agenda setting to help June see emotions as mature, trustworthy parts of herself.🔹 How to make journaling more effective🔹 What to do when recovery plateaus🔹 Why fear of emotions keeps the nervous system stuck🔹 How to turn fear and anger into strengths🔹 Why feeling emotions in the moment creates change Resources and Additional LinksLearn More About Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)Subscribe for updates, resources, and insights in the world of chronic pain and Pain Reprocessing Therapy.Patient HubPractitioner HubLearn about WellBody Psychotherapy and how our certified therapists and coaches can support your healing journey: Visit WellBodyEmail Us: [email protected]

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• Ask a Doctor: Is My Pain Neuroplastic? PT. 2

  This is part two of our experimental two-part series following David, a patient living with chronic foot pain. In Episode 4, David received a neuroplastic pain diagnosis. In Episode 5, we go a step further—showing what happens when that diagnosis is explored through therapy.What you’ll hear in this episode:– A live, unscripted therapy session combining Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), somatic tracking, and Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET)– Real-time reduction in pain as David rewires his brain’s fear response– Exploration of childhood emotional patterns, perfectionism, and self-directed anger– A somatic shift that helps David reclaim movement, safety, and strength– Dr. Howard Schubiner’s expert commentary on the science behind each momentThis episode is about more than pain—it’s about the emotional undercurrents that shape how we experience our bodies, and the incredible transformation that can occur when we meet our pain with curiosity, compassion, and courage.Bonus: Stay tuned to the end to hear Dr. Schubiner’s reflections on the future of healing—blending neuroscience, trauma-informed care, and emotional expression into one powerful therapeutic approach. Resources and Additional LinksLearn More About Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)Subscribe for updates, resources, and insights in the world of chronic pain and Pain Reprocessing Therapy.Patient HubPractitioner HubLearn about WellBody Psychotherapy and how our certified therapists and coaches can support your healing journey: Visit WellBodyEmail Us: [email protected]

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