Pain Reprocessing Coaching

One-to-one educational coaching for people experiencing chronic, neuroplastic pain and symptoms, based on Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT).

Aerial view of a tree canopy: pale, bare branches spreading across dark green foliage

What are neuroplastic pain and symptoms?

All sensations we feel in our bodies—including pain, fatigue, and other symptoms—are produced by the brain. Pain and other symptoms are danger signals, based on our brain’s assessment of potential threats, and they are essential to keeping us alive and safe. When you break a bone, the brain produces pain to stop you from using it until it has healed; when you have a viral infection, the brain produces fatigue and other symptoms to ensure that you rest and recover.

But sometimes the brain can produce pain or symptoms in the absence of structural injury or illness. These are known as “neuroplastic” pain and symptoms, and they often occur or increase when the nervous system perceives danger in the form of emotional or psychological distress.

It’s not all in your head.

Neuroplastic pain and symptoms are real: they are produced by the same brain processes as pain or symptoms from an injury or illness, and they feel the same. But because they are based on learned patterns and associations, they can often be unlearned. Read about the scientific research here.

Chronic neuroplastic pain and symptoms often follow recognisable patterns:

  • the pain or symptoms last longer than an injury or illness would normally take to heal, or there was no initial injury or illness
  • scan or test results don’t fully explain the pain or symptoms, or show findings that are also common in people without pain or symptoms
  • pain or symptoms started or became chronic during a stressful time
  • pain moves or spreads; symptoms are inconsistent
  • pain or symptoms come on after, but not during, an activity
  • pain or symptoms worsen with stress
  • several symptoms present simultaneously, such as pain, fatigue, headaches, brain fog, tinnitus, dizziness, or digestive problems
  • treatments have helped only briefly, or not at all

If any of these sound familiar, it could be worth exploring the role your brain and nervous system play in your pain or symptoms.

What Pain Reprocessing Coaching involves

Is this approach right for you?

There is growing evidence that neuroplastic processes play a role in many persistent symptoms, including chronic pain conditions, tension headaches and migraine, fatigue, digestive issues, tinnitus, and dizziness. I work in English or German with adults who:

  • have been assessed by a doctor and have a medical diagnosis
  • are open to exploring the role of the brain and nervous system in their symptoms
  • are ready to practise between sessions

Sessions take place in person in Berlin or online worldwide. Coaching is not a substitute for medical or psychotherapeutic care.

Book a free consultation

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a medical diagnosis?
Yes. I work only with people whose symptoms have been assessed by a doctor and who have a medical diagnosis. I don’t diagnose or treat illnesses, and coaching is not a substitute for medical care. Always consult a doctor about any new or changing symptoms.
Is this therapy?
No. The coaching is educational: I teach you how pain works and coach you in specific techniques. I am not a psychotherapist. Pain Reprocessing Therapy is the name of the approach my coaching is based on.
Is there scientific evidence for mindbody approaches like PRT?
Yes, though the research is still developing. See my Science and Resources page for summaries of the scientific papers.
How many sessions are necessary?
This varies from person to person. To start, eight weekly sessions are recommended to build a solid foundation. After that, you can review whether to continue and in what rhythm (e.g. monthly).

What clients say

  • Working with Rowan has changed my life. Rowan works in a structured, analytical, empathetic, and understanding way. I can only recommend working with her—it’s worth it!

    Lena, 33 translated from German

  • What does it feel like to work with Rowan? Present, clear, uncomplicated, open, and direct—I feel very well looked after and safe with her. I feel understood, especially since she has been through this process herself. Since Rowan has been working with me, my strength, my confidence, and my dreams have been growing. After just a few sessions, I’m having a fulfilling summer in which I’ve been able to do things I hadn’t trusted myself to do for a long time. Rowan has given me back so much life, and I am grateful for that with all my heart.

    Jutta, 68 translated from German

  • Working with Rowan felt like working with someone I’ve known a long time. I felt very comfortable opening up to Rowan, and immediately trusted her insights into my personal situation. I became more aware of my constant baseline stress/anxiety and the feeling that I don’t actually feel safe on a physiological level. I’ve become more aware of the ways I need to bring myself to calm and to a feeling of safety. I would absolutely recommend Rowan to others. She is not only extremely knowledgeable, but has incredible interpersonal skills. She is very approachable, attentive, and empathetic, and I could tell that she was actively putting the puzzle pieces of my life together to try to help me in the best way possible.

    Joanna, 30

  • It was a comfortable and very helpful experience working with Rowan! I feel that I have the tools necessary to deal with pain I experience more calmly as well as other factors of my life like emotional relationships and needs.

    Manon, 21

  • I immediately felt comfortable and confident with Rowan and after her introductory session, I took a leap of faith and followed a new path to discovering this new science. Four sessions later, I was a changed person. I feel liberated and keep a positive outlook on everything. Friends and family can’t believe the difference in me. Nor can I. Rowan uses current research on mind/body processes, is empathetic, and always has a solution to whatever comes up. I would definitely recommend her.

    Jo, 68

All testimonials are from clients I have worked with and are published with their permission; some have been shortened or translated.

Fees

No VAT is charged under § 19 UStG (small business regulation).

Book a free consultation