Business Details
Expert Chronic Pain Therapy in Los Angeles
Pain Psychology Center is a pioneering mental health practice dedicated to transforming chronic pain treatment through evidence-based psychotherapy. Founded by Alan Gordon, our team specializes in Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), a groundbreaking approach validated by clinical research at the University of Colorado Boulder. Our licensed therapists combine neuroscience, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and mindfulness to address the psychophysiological roots of chronic pain. With over 98% of patients showing improvement in clinical trials, we emphasize personalized care, self-compassion, and nervous system safety.Our clinicians bring decades of combined experience, including personal recovery journeys from chronic conditions, to deliver holistic, client-centered solutions. We are committed to advancing public understanding of neuroplastic pain through education, research collaboration, and training programs for healthcare professionals worldwide.
Services
Pain Reprocessing Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Hypnotherapy
Mindfulness Training
ISTDP Therapy
Somatic Tracking
Neuroplastic Pain Coaching
Highlights and features
- We offer Pain Reprocessing Therapy validated by 98% patient improvement in clinical trials
- Our team includes therapists with personal recovery experience from chronic pain
- We combine neuroscience research with mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral techniques
- We provide personalized treatment plans tailored to individual neuroplastic pain patterns
- We emphasize nervous system safety and self-compassion in all therapeutic approaches
What people say
Pain-free after years of suffering
Life-changing treatment approach
Scientifically validated methods
Empathetic therapists
Personalized care plans
Services
Pain Reprocessing Therapy
Pain Reprocessing Therapy targets the brain's role in chronic pain through evidence-based techniques. This approach retrains neural pathways to deactivate false pain signals using somatic tracking, safety reappraisal, and positive affect induction. Clinical studies show 98% patient improvement with 66% achieving complete pain relief after treatment.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT addresses pain-perpetuating thought patterns through structured therapeutic interventions. Our therapists help patients identify fear-based thinking that exacerbates symptoms while developing coping strategies that reduce pain perception. This approach integrates mindfulness to break the anxiety-pain cycle effectively.
Mindfulness Training
Our mindfulness program teaches present-moment awareness to alter pain processing. Backed by neuroimaging research, this training physically changes brain structures associated with pain perception. Patients learn to observe sensations without judgment, reducing the emotional component that amplifies chronic pain signals.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy accesses subconscious pain mechanisms through guided relaxation. This technique lowers heart rate and breathing while increasing receptivity to therapeutic suggestions. Patients learn to reframe pain signals at the unconscious level, creating lasting changes in symptom perception through repeated sessions.
ISTDP Therapy
ISTDP addresses emotional repression linked to physical symptoms through intensive short-term treatment. Therapists help patients identify and process suppressed emotions that manifest as chronic pain. This approach systematically dismantles defense mechanisms that contribute to neuroplastic pain patterns over structured therapy sessions.
People
Alan Gordon
Founder
Alan Gordon is a Los Angeles-based psychotherapist who developed Pain Reprocessing Therapy. His groundbreaking research at the University of Colorado Boulder has been featured in major media outlets. With over 20 years of clinical experience, he specializes in treating chronic pain through evidence-based psychotherapy while training professionals worldwide in PRT techniques.
Vanessa Blackstone
Executive Director
Vanessa Blackstone co-authored The Pain Reprocessing Therapy Workbook and specializes in chronic pain treatment. With personal recovery experience from migraines and pelvic floor pain, she integrates cognitive behavioral therapy with mindfulness practices. She trains providers globally and lectures at UCLA on orofacial pain treatment.
Sherry Del Campo
Clinical Director
Sherry Del Campo specializes in chronic pain treatment following her own recovery from back pain after spinal surgery. Certified in PRT, she combines holistic approaches with clinical expertise to treat mind-body symptoms. Her trauma-informed practice emphasizes self-compassion and personalized healing strategies for lasting pain relief.
John Gasienica
Director of Clinical Research
John Gasienica leads clinical development at the Pain Psychology Center following his own chronic pain recovery. He conducts PRT research with the University of Colorado and US Department of Veterans Affairs. His approach blends contemporary methodologies with practical tools for managing pain, anxiety, and depression effectively.
Melany Cohen
Clinical Supervisor
Melany Cohen is a certified clinical hypnotherapist with advanced PRT training. After overcoming decade-long debilitating symptoms, she focuses on helping others through mind-body therapy. Her legal background enables unique approaches to building neuroplastic pain cases while maintaining compassionate, client-centered care.
Questions
What makes your chronic pain treatment different from traditional approaches?
Our evidence-based Pain Reprocessing Therapy targets the brain's neuroplastic pain mechanisms rather than structural causes, achieving 98% patient improvement in clinical trials through psychological techniques validated by neuroscience research.
How long does the treatment program typically last?
Most patients complete our intensive four-week program with twice-weekly sessions, though treatment duration varies based on individual needs. Many experience significant improvement within this timeframe with lasting results maintained at 12-month follow-ups.
Can you treat conditions beyond back pain?
We successfully address various neuroplastic pain conditions including fibromyalgia, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, pelvic floor pain, and repetitive strain injuries through personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's specific symptoms.
Do you offer virtual therapy sessions?
Yes, we provide effective virtual sessions alongside in-office treatment options. Our telehealth platform enables access to Pain Reprocessing Therapy for patients across multiple states and international locations with the same clinical outcomes as in-person sessions.
What qualifications do your therapists hold?
Our team includes licensed psychotherapists with specialized PRT certification, decades of clinical experience, and personal recovery journeys from chronic pain. All clinicians maintain current professional licenses and participate in ongoing training programs.
Is your treatment covered by insurance?
We provide Good Faith Estimates for out-of-network reimbursement. While insurance coverage varies, our administrative team assists with documentation requirements. Payment plans and financing options ensure accessible care for qualifying patients seeking chronic pain relief.
