Content - How it Works!

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 Course Outline: One-Year Chronic Pain and Chronic Migraine Recovery Program

 

• Week by Week Learning - Each week, you will receive materials as part of the Chronic Pain and Chronic Migraine Recovery Program. These materials are tailored for both individuals working on a 1:1 basis and groups.

• Comprehensive Content - The program is carefully structured, breaking down complex topics into easy-to-follow texts. It includes web images and links to free educational and practice resources like videos, podcasts, and online courses.

• Drawing from Real Experiences - Regardless of working on a 1:1 basis or in a group, the program integrates insights from me and original Safe Room members during their process of recovery from chronic pain. These historical, written, and audio contributions add depth to the learning experience, mirroring a group setting. 

• Real-Time Support - You'll benefit from regular written interactions and encouragement from your mentor(s).

• Program Duration - This program spans one year, with holiday breaks in December and August. 

• Ongoing Support - Throughout the year, you'll have continued access to the Safe Room program and your mentor(s). Both 1:1 mentoring and Safe Room groups provide valuable support, guidance and a sense of community. 

 

 “Chronic pain can be very isolating, It's wonderful to be part of an encouraging, open, positive, and loving group of people" - Lucy, UK - (Willow Safe Room group)

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Ongoing Support

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Safe Room groups remain open free of charge after the program finishes (while Signal and Facebook still operate), providing an ongoing safe place for active participants to share experiences and offer support. Input from all mentors is voluntary at this stage.

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Groups and 1:1 wanting further reinforcement after the first year can choose to graduate to a second paid year of the Chronic Pain and Chronic Migraine Recovery Program, or individuals can choose to repeat or join the next annual group intake.

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What we'll cover - Education

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The Neuroscience and Psychology of Chronic Pain & Illness, Somatic Awareness, Nervous System and Emotional Regulation, Pain Reprocessing Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion Processing, and more. 

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Healing Paths: Connecting Symptoms to Unconscious Beliefs, Fears, and Expectations.   

 

Delve into habits, behaviours, conditioned responses, and the dominant emotions underlying the symptoms to evaluate whether you're unwittingly contributing to the persistence of symptoms. You'll be encouraged to embrace somatic practices and graded exposure. This approach allows you to safely reintegrate avoided activities, ultimately replacing fear with corrective experiences and cognitive reappraisal.

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You'll Learn Practical Skills to Facilitate Effective Soothing.​

 

Chronic pain sufferers often feel helpless and ill-equipped to soothe difficult emotions and may become highly critical and even nasty toward themselves as a result.

How we talk to ourselves matters!

We will explore practices that counteract this tendency and expand capacity for effective soothing, increased tolerance, acceptance, and self-compassion. Acquiring these skills not only transforms how you communicate your needs to yourself but also enhances your ability to communicate effectively with others.

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The practices include: Somatic and Emotional Awareness, Emotion Processing, Embodiment, Nervous System Resets, Breathwork protocols, Grounding, Mindfulness Meditation, Orientation and Visualisation techniques, Intention and Affirmation, Somatic Tracking,

Forgiveness, Acceptance, Self Compassion, Gratitude, and more.

 

 

Practice and Internalise What you Learn Until it Becomes Instinctive.

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Evidence suggests that simple life changes can reshape brain function. In just 8 weeks, practices like mindfulness meditation, somatic techniques, and present moment awareness can lead to a reduction in the size of the amygdala—the brain area responsible for anxiety, fear, and stress. Simultaneously, these practices enhance cognitive processing, reduce mind wandering and rumination, and promote calm focus and relaxation. Most importantly, you'll be encouraged to cultivate self-kindness and compassion, nurturing a supportive inner ally.

 

 

Compassion, Connection & Community 

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During the program, I'll weave in personal stories, including pivotal discoveries from my own life, and with their permission, share narratives of my clients' recovery from chronic pain. These stories can provide valuable insights into your own experiences and emphasise the significance of compassion, connection, and community.

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Neuroplasticity - Embracing Play, Movement, and a Growth Mindset

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This program harnesses the power of neuroplasticity, the brain's lifelong ability to adapt, change, and establish new neural pathways through growth and reorganisation. 

 The old adage "Healthy Body in a Healthy Mind" is applicable here.

 An essential aspect of mind-body work involves integrating simple, habitual, activities that encompass movement, balance, exploration, playfulness, and enjoyable interactions with others, purely for the joy of it. Engaging in these activities embodies a growth mindset and reflects a timeless childhood wisdom – the fundamental role of play, playfulness, and movement in promoting a healthy mind, brain, and body.

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Conditions Commonly Associated with Neuroplastic Pain and Stress Disorders:

Migraine & Tension Headaches, TMJ, Facial pain, Fibromyalgia, Back, Neck and Shoulder Pain, Repetitive strain injury, Numbness, Tingling sensations, Fatigue, Palpitations, Heartburn, Acid Reflux, Abdominal Pain, IBS, Irritable bladder syndrome, Pelvic pain and Vulvodynia, Tinnitus and Dizziness, Unexplained itching/Rashes, Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) traits, Insomnia, Brain Fog, Poor Memory, Anxiety, and Depression. This list is by no means exhaustive.

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