We live in a politically precarious world. You’re feeling it. And your body is feeling it. There’s a lot of silence around politics, but it’s always right here.

In this Episode:

🔹 We’re making time and space to process your political anxiety.

🔹 In the world today, we’re experiencing (and we’re participating in) many, many conditions of interpersonal trauma.

🔹 In this episode, we examine the dynamics and roles of interpersonal trauma: Victim, Bystander, Rescuer, and Perpetrator.

🔹 We also discuss various emotionally-laden political conditions in the world today.

We’re making space for you to think, to feel, and to process.

If that sounds like something you need – join us. I’d love to have you.

–

Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Click Here to Ask Sean a Question

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

–

Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms

–

…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.

Many of you know Dr. Elaine Aron’s research on HSPs. Many of you identify as HSPs. There’s a huge overlap between the highly sensitive trait and the propensity to develop chronic pain and symptoms.

If you haven’t heard about the highly sensitive person, however, prepare to have your mind potentially blown by psychotherapist Kayla Jacobsen, LICSW.

In this Episode:

🔹 Kayla Jacobsen’s a therapist who specializes in working with highly sensitive people. She’s also, like me, a highly sensitive person herself.

🔹 Kayla has her own journey with chronic neuroplastic symptom recovery, so she understands the intersection between high sensitivity and neuroplastic symptoms.

🔹 Today, Kayla summarizes the basic characteristics of the highly sensitive person.

🔹 Kayla outlines the 4 subtypes of highly sensitive people (the Deep Thinker, the Overstimulated Super-Sensor, the Emotionally-Responsive/Empathetic Super-Feeler, and those who are Sensitive to Subtle Stimuli).

🔹 Kayla reminds us: sensitivity does not “need” to be “overcome.” It's not a disorder. It's not a diagnosis. She validates us and reminds us that sensitivity is a strength.

Join us today. So many of us here are HSPs, so this is a great, highly relevant conversation.

–

Find Kayla:

Willow Creek Counseling MN: www.willowcreekcounselingmn.com/kaylajacobsen

Kayla’s Email: [email protected]

–

Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Click Here to Ask Sean a Question

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

–

Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms

–

Other Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Elaine Aron and the Highly Sensitive Person: hsperson.com

Self-Test: The Highly Sensitive Person Scale

The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You by Dr. Elaine Aron

Quiet by Susan Cain

Trust Yourself by Melody Wilding

The Mind-Body Healing Method with Grace Secker

–

…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.

This is a personal one, and a vulnerable one. It’s a messy-middle story.

There’s no pressure to be 100% healed. There’s no pressure to have everything figured out. This is just an invitation to hang out in the messy middle. And today, we’re talking about…my left hip.

In this Episode:

🔹 Not every part of every story is the “happily ever after.”

🔹 Many parts are the messy middle.

🔹 Sometimes I feel like I’m “recovered.” Sometimes I feel like I’m back at square one. (Even though I know better).

🔹 Join me today as I tell the story of my chronic hip pain: how it came on, how many years it's been, and what I’ve been doing to heal.

🔹 We discuss: emotional work, psychological work, questioning my triggers, graded exposure, fear, frustration, success, continued symptoms, TMS therapy, the power of allowing, continued epiphanies, self-care, self-attunement, …and so much more.

Join in. I’d love to have you along for the ride.

–

Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Click Here to Ask Sean a Question

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

–

Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms

–

Other Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Therapist: Liz Wallenstein, LMHC

S2 E1 | The “Messy Middle” & TMS Recovery with Michelle

S4 E12 | My Recovery from Chronic IBS

How to Journalspeak with Nicole Sachs

–

…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.

This is the story of a powerful metamorphosis. Cynthia Austin said, “In 2014, I saw a picture of myself, and I didn’t even recognize the woman in the picture.” She calls it her “pain brain coma pic.” And now, you can see the picture (the before and the after) for yourself.

Cynthia Austin is a national board-certified health and wellness coach. She helps people heal from chronic symptoms using the power of neuroplasticity, just like she did herself. She has a truly remarkable story to tell.

In this Episode:

🔹 Cynthia’s dramatic recovery from migraines, vertigo, neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain, hip pain, leg paralysis, muscle tension, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic numbness/tingling of the extremities, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, insomnia, brain fog, stomach issues, chemical sensitivities, unexplained rashes, high blood pressure, grinding teeth, walking with a cane, regular panic attacks, severe anxiety, and depression.

🔹 How traditional pain management failed Cynthia – and how it fails all of us with chronic neuroplastic conditions.

🔹 The connection between emotional trauma and physical symptoms.

🔹 The importance of authenticity and agency in chronic symptom recovery.

🔹 The tie, for Cynthia, between weight loss and healing.

🔹 “This work helped me lose 100 lbs.” Cynthia recounts the details.

🔹 The hunger is always real, but you're not always hungry for food.

🔹 “My hunger was to be treated kindly. My hunger was to be seen and valued and cared for.”

🔹 “My therapist gave me the right to breathe, the right to exist, the right to take up room on this earth.”

Cynthia says she can distill her recovery down to “speaking my truth.”

This is a very powerful discussion. Join us. You’ll learn a lot, you’ll feel a lot, and you’ll understand mindbody healing on a deeper level.

–

Find Cynthia:

Cynthia’s Website: www.MyPainCoachLLC.com

Cynthia’s Free Educational PDF “Is Your Pain Experience Being Shaped By Your Nervous System?”: www.mypaincoachllc.com/podcast-freebie

Cynthia’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiaaustin-mypaincoach

Cynthia’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/MyPainCoach/

–

Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Click Here to Ask Sean a Question

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

–

Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms

–

…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.

Using psychological and emotional modalities to heal chronic pain is not a widely-understood option. Many fear it’s not “backed by science.” Today, however, we profile and analyze 12 studies that show the scientific backing for various aspects of this paradigm for healing.

The studies in this list were compiled by my friend and colleague, neuroplastic physical therapist Nida Tansinsin, MPT. So much gratitude for her! Find all her information below.

In this Episode:

🔹 12 Studies that reveal the science behind different aspects of neuroplastic healing.

🔹 (Although, truly, maybe I just did 11? I sort of lost count 😋 Hashtag embracing imperfection).

🔹 A deep-dive into Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET).

🔹 We discuss the limitations of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and why CBT’s becoming an antiquated choice for chronic pain treatment.

🔹 We get into the evidence that many, many physical findings (in the back, the hips, the knees, and the shoulders) are normal abnormalities and do not need to cause pain.

🔹 I also lowkey get kinda angry about the old, debunked, non-scientific methods used to treat pain in mainstream medicine.

This is a long one, but a fun one, and an informative one. Join us.

–

Find Nida Tansinsin, MPT:

Nida’s Website: nidaconnect.com

Nida’s Email: [email protected]

Nida’s Instagram: @NidaConnect

S5 E4 | A Physical Therapist Who Can Help You, with Nida Tansinsin, MPT

–

Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Click Here to Ask Sean a Question

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

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Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms

–

Studies Profiled In Today’s Episode:

Ashar et al Boulder Back Pain Study

Lumley and Schubiner EAET Study

Brinjikji et al Imaging in Asymptomatic Populations Study

Blankstein et al MRI Hip Findings in Asymptomatic Individuals Study

Zhong et al Reabsorbtion of Lumbar Disc Herniations Study

Barreto et al Bilateral MRI Findings in Individuals with Unilateral Shoulder Pain Study

Bergman et al Asymptomatic Tibial Stress Reactions Study

Horga et al Prevelence of Abnormal Findings in 230 Knees of Asymptomatic Adults

Webster et al Iatrogenic Consequences of Early MRI in Work-Related Low Back Pain Study

Zamorano et al Pain Sensitivity in Healthy Musicians Study

Crum et al Exercise and the Placebo Effect Study

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Other Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Info on Ehlers-Danlos and POTS: Gigi Cockell and Dan Buglio, Grace Secker and Sean Hershey

Grace Secker’s Mindbody Healing Method: https://healwithgrace.co/programs/mind-body-healing-method/

–

…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.

Jess Freedman is a mindbody psychotherapist and the cofounder of Rewire NYC (the New York ATNS Chapter). Jess has recovered from a plethora of neuroplastic symptoms, the most difficult of which was chronic shoulder pain. She shares her journey from very severe symptoms to a long recovery to becoming a therapist who helps others with chronic pain. Jess is a fellow theater kid, so we have a good time today. We laugh, we bond, Jess even likens herself to a stuffed chihuahua in a vest (see pic). You're more than welcome to join the fun. You’re not gonna wanna miss this one.

In this Episode:

🔹 Jess shares the many, many symptoms with which she’s struggled over the years.

🔹 She details her journey out of severe, daily shoulder pain.

🔹 She was diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and had clinical findings on her MRI to support the diagnosis.

🔹 She had surgery with a premier surgeon in Boston, and the pain still didn’t resolve.

🔹 She hit her rock bottom, ended up in the ER for a panic attack, and was seriously evaluated for a stroke because she couldn’t speak.

🔹 After that harrowing trip to the ER, Jess had a moment of clarity. She somehow knew “you are meant to have a good life.”

🔹 Then she found this.

🔹 It turns out, the Thoracic Outlet findings were normal abnormalities. After doing this work, Jess now lives chronic-pain-free.

🔹 Jess also gives us insight into her practice as a neuroplastic therapist, discussing how she’s moved away from dogmatic certainty, smugness, and theoretical rigidity… towards a healing practice that’s more trusting of the self, trusting of the body, and tailored to each individual.

Jess pulled a card the morning of the podcast interview (cuz why not) and shared it with us: “You’re Not For Everyone: Face Your Wierdness, Face Your True North.”

Period. It’s the perfect message for healing chronic symptoms. Join us for a fun and very informative discussion.

–

Find Jess:

Jess’s Psychology Today

Jess’s Substack

–

Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Click Here to Ask Sean a Question

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

–

Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms

–

Other Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Info on Ehlers-Danlos and POTS: Gigi Cockell and Dan Buglio, Grace Secker and Sean Hershey

The Way Out by Alan Gordon and Alon Ziv

The Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller

The Wounded Healer | This Jungian Life Podcast

Trauma Therapy: What It’s Really Like with Dr. Jacob Ham and Elizabeth Ferreira | Being Well

–

…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.

This is a long one. And a deep one. (And a good one). Most recoverers don’t say much about this, but most people acknowledge a spiritual shift as they heal from chronic pain. Today, we’re addressing that head-on. We’re making space for you to explore your sense of spirituality, of religion, and even of God.

In this Episode:

🔹 I’m not telling you what to believe. I don’t know what you “should” believe about God. Having certain religious beliefs is NOT part of chronic pain recovery.

🔹 And, existential inquiry and existential curiosity are part of the human experience. We don’t want you to repress that.

🔹 Religious trauma cuts people off from thinking spiritually and thinking expansively.

🔹 So, we’re making space – today – for you to explore your own sense of spirituality.

🔹 We discuss the definition of religious trauma.

🔹 We explore the common impacts of religious trauma.

🔹 We get into some fun childhood stories from my Catholic school days.

🔹 We consider an example of what God looks like in literature, recounting the climactic scene in Alice Walker’s The Color Purple.

🔹 And, of course, you get to reflect on you. What does spirituality mean to you?

This isn’t your typical discussion about chronic pain healing. This isn’t “10 Tools to Regulate Your Nervous System.” This is deeper. If you’re looking for a door into something meaningful, this is it.

–

Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Click Here to Ask Sean a Question

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

–

Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms

–

Other Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

S2 E7 | Chronic Pain and Spirituality with Christina Wei

Ishmael by Daniel Quinn

S3 E12 | Holiday Childhood Nostalgia …Meets Trauma

–

…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.

Anna Holtzman is a true mentor of mine. She’s a therapist and coach. Anna’s helped many, many clients out of chronic pain and symptoms…and she began noticing that the same patterns underlying chronic pain also keep many people from expressing themselves fully and pursuing the lives they really want. Now, Anna works with clients to help them with visibility: expressing themselves, putting themselves “out there,” and moving into bold self-actualization.

In this Episode:

🔹 The connection between chronic pain, staying small, fear of visibility, and healing through trusting yourself.

🔹 Why understanding the nervous system is vitally helpful in moving through the fear of expressing yourself authentically.

🔹 What it feels like, on a nervous system level, to receive negative feedback.

🔹 The conflict between a deep desire to share your voice and the equally intense fear of blow-back and rejection.

🔹 How a therapist’s own emotional work helps them help their clients.

🔹 3 Tools to work with the fear of visibility: 1) Graded Exposure, 2) Co-regulation, and 3) Dialoguing with Fear.

🔹 We go deep into Dialoguing with Fear, and I know that’ll be helpful for you.

🔹 Here are the questions Anna uses to dialogue with fear:

🔹 1. Dear fear, what are you feeling?

🔹 2. What would you like me to know?

🔹 3. What are you trying to protect me from?

Join us for a fun, enriching, enlightening conversation. Anna’s great.

–

Find Anna:

Free Self-Trust Workshop: The Melt-Through Method: www.annaholtzmantherapy.com/melt-through-method-workshop

Free Let-Yourself-Be-Seen Workshop: www.annaholtzman.com/beseen

Seen & Safe Visibility Coaching: www.annaholtzman.com/seenandsafe

Anna’s Instagram: @anna_holtzman

Anna’s Podcast: How to Trust Yourself

Recommended Episode: We Need Your Art with Amie McNee

Email: [email protected]

–

Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Click Here to Ask Sean a Question

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

–

Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms

–

…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.

Today, we’re talking about something a little different: ketamine.

Is ketamine the cure for chronic pain? No.

But, can ketamine be a tool to help deepen the psychological and emotional work that heals chronic pain? Yes, I think so. Let’s discuss.

In this Episode:

🔹 It’s 2026, everyone’s talking about ketamine, so we’re gonna talk about it too.

🔹 We cover the basic facts about ketamine, including ketamine’s ability to create a window of heightened neuroplasticity in the brain.

🔹 We explore the history of psychedelic use in healing.

🔹 I discuss my personal experience with ketamine.

🔹 We investigate the connection between ketamine treatment and healing chronic pain.

This is a fun one – with a lot of good information. Whether you’d ever consider ketamine or not, you’ll learn something here. Join us.

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NOTE: THIS PODCAST IS INTENDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION AND EDUCATION ONLY. THIS PODCAST DOES NOT RECOMMEND KETAMINE FOR ANY SPECIFIC PATIENT, DIAGNOSIS, OR CONDITION. THE USE OF ANY PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION MUST BE DONE UNDER MEDICAL SUPERVISION.

–

Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Click Here to Ask a Question on the Podcast

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

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Ketamine Connections Podcast with Anna Krishtal: Listen on Apple | Listen on Spotify

Sean Hershey on the Ketamine Connections Podcast: Listen on Apple | Listen on Spotify

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Other Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Anna Krishtal’s Website: www.yourketaminecoach.com

Allison Janney on Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky

Cochrane Library | Ketamine and other NMDA receptor antagonists for chronic pain: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD015373.pub2/full

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Dr. Howard Schubiner’s Book: Unlearn Your Pain: The Science of Recovering from Chronic Pain, Fatigue, Anxiety, and Depression

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…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.

When your friends and family don’t understand, when your doctors can’t find anything wrong, when you find mindbody modalities and they take a long time to work...you deserve empathy.

In this Episode:

🔹 You deserve empathy before you understand mindbody healing.

🔹 You deserve empathy AFTER you understand mindbody healing.

🔹 You deserve empathy, from others and from yourself, all the way through.

Join us for a dose of empathy today. And save this episode for the future. You can come back to it anytime you need it.

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Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Click Here to Ask a Question on the Podcast

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

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…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.