
Therapy for Chronic Pain in Fort Lauderdale
Online Mind-Body Support in Florida and Illinois
Chronic Pain: When Life Feels Out of Reach
Living with chronic pain can leave you frustrated, exhausted, and disconnected from the active, fulfilling life you’ve worked so hard to build. You’ve poured so much into building a life you’re proud of—staying active, engaged, and connected—but pain has started to get in the way of the things that bring you joy.
Maybe it’s an injury that “healed” but still hurts. Or it could be migraines, fibromyalgia, or pain that feels tied to stress. You might wonder if it’s just aging—but deep down, you know there’s more to it.
Is chronic pain holding you back from the life you want?
Pain has likely made daily life a struggle—managing work, family, and relationships feels harder than ever. You’ve noticed it’s worse with so much going on, but avoiding activities only leaves you feeling more disconnected from the life you want to be living.
You’ve probably tried solutions like medication, massage, or physical therapy. While they might help a little, the pain still feels like it controls your life. It creates a spiral of fear and frustration—worrying about making it worse, feeling distracted when you need to focus, and wondering if this is just how things will be from now on.
There’s hope - Even if pain feels overwhelming
Through mind-body therapy that includes Somatic Experiencing and the Safe and Sound Protocol, we’ll focus on reconnecting with your body in a way that feels gentle, practical, and healing.
This approach can help:
Reduce the spiral of stress and pain by helping your nervous system find moments of relief and ease.
Understand what’s underneath the pain, including how stress and past patterns may keep it going.
Recognize cues of safety so your body feels less stuck and more able to recover.
You might feel frustrated, wondering if anything will actually help—but this is different. This isn’t about pushing through the pain or ignoring it. It’s about learning to work with your body in a new way.
Imagine being able to hike, spend time with your family, or focus fully at work without pain taking over.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Together, we can help you feel more confident in your body and reconnect with what matters most to you.
Chronic Pain Therapist in Fort Lauderdale
Hi, I’m Amy!
Living with chronic pain can feel draining and overwhelming, keeping you from the active, fulfilling life you’ve worked so hard to build. It’s not just the discomfort—it’s feeling like your body is stuck in stress, holding onto pain, and the fear of making things worse.
That’s where I come in.
We’ll work together to help your body feel safer and less weighed down by stress and tension. By paying attention to the pain, we’ll uncover what your body is holding and find ways to ease it—so you can focus on what matters most: family, work, and enjoying life again.
If you’re ready to feel more connected to yourself and your life, schedule a free 20-minute consultation today.
My Approach to Chronic Pain Therapy
I believe true healing comes from addressing the connection between your mind and body. Chronic pain isn’t just physical—it’s tied to stress, emotions, and even past experiences. That’s why I take a mind-body approach using Somatic Experiencing (SE) and, if it’s right for you, the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP).
Somatic Experiencing (SE): SE helps you notice what’s happening in your body when pain, stress, or overwhelm show up. It’s not just about releasing tension—it’s about understanding how your body responds to discomfort and fear. By working with these sensations, SE helps your nervous system reset, creating space for relief and making pain feel less overwhelming. Over time, you can feel calmer, more in control, and better able to handle life’s demands.
Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP): SSP is a unique music-based therapy that helps your body feel safe. When your nervous system is stuck in a heightened state, it can amplify pain and make stress even harder to manage—both of which can worsen the pain. SSP works with your vagus nerve to calm this response, helping your body relax and feel less weighed down. As your nervous system settles, pain becomes more manageable, and it’s easier to focus on what matters most.
This work isn’t about “pushing through” or ignoring pain. It’s about helping your body feel supported and less stuck. Together, we’ll explore what’s underneath the pain and give your body the tools it needs to feel more balanced and capable.
When pain feels less overwhelming, you can reconnect with what’s most important—whether it’s staying active, enjoying time with loved ones, or focusing fully on your work.
Therapy for Chronic Pain: Reclaiming Your Active Life
Chronic pain can feel like a barrier between you and the active, connected life you once enjoyed. Whether it’s muscle tension, headaches, or flare-ups from stress, the pain can leave you feeling stuck, frustrated, and unsure how to move forward.
You might miss being outdoors, staying active, or spending time with loved ones without worrying about discomfort. While the cause of your pain may not feel clear, one thing is certain: you don’t have to navigate this alone.
What You Can Expect
Compassionate Support: Chronic pain impacts every part of your life. Whether you’re frustrated about missing out, fearful of making things worse, or overwhelmed by the emotional toll, I’ll take the time to listen and support you every step of the way.
A Focus on the Body: We’ll use Somatic Experiencing (SE) and the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) to explore how your body holds onto stress and tension. By helping your body feel safer, you can reduce the intensity of your pain and reconnect with what matters most.
Personalized Care: During a free consultation, we’ll talk about what approach feels right for you—whether it’s SE, SSP, or a combination of both. This is your time to learn more and decide what fits your needs.
Chronic pain doesn’t have to define your life. Together, we’ll work to reduce its hold, helping you feel more empowered, confident, and free to pursue the activities, relationships, and work that fulfill you.
Schedule a free 20-minute consultation to learn more and explore the best next steps for you.
Chronic Pain Therapy FAQs
-
Therapy helps with physical pain by addressing the root causes, which are often tied to your nervous system. When you’re in chronic pain, your body is stuck in overdrive, making it hard to relax or find relief. Somatic therapy techniques like Somatic Experiencing help calm your body and release stored tension, shifting you out of that constant “fight-or-flight” state.
We also use mindfulness techniques to help you notice and focus on sensations that feel neutral or even pleasant, instead of only the pain. This process builds your ability to handle discomfort and stress while helping your brain and body feel safe again. Over time, this can reduce pain intensity and help you feel more comfortable in your daily life.
-
Not necessarily. Somatic therapy is different from traditional talk therapy in that it focuses more on what’s happening in your body than on revisiting difficult memories or emotions.
While emotions and trauma might naturally come up, we’ll follow your lead and focus on what feels right for you in each session.
You don’t have to talk about anything you’re not ready to, and the goal is always to help you feel more present and connected to your body in a way that supports healing.
-
Yes, that’s actually quite common. Sometimes chronic pain doesn’t have a clear medical explanation because it’s tied to unresolved stress or trauma stored in your body. Therapy can help by working with your nervous system to shift out of survival mode, where pain tends to linger.
If you're also seeing a doctor or physical therapist, therapy can complement their treatments by addressing the emotional and nervous system aspects of pain. I’m happy to collaborate with your healthcare team to support your healing.
-
I currently offer virtual sessions only. Somatic therapy works just as well online because you’re in a space that feels familiar and safe. Being at home means you can settle into your favorite chair, have your pet nearby, or keep comforting items close, which can make you feel more at ease during our work together.
Feeling safe and comfortable in your own space helps make the therapy more effective and allows us to really focus on your healing.
Plus, online sessions make life easier—you don’t have to take time off work, deal with traffic, or worry about finding parking. It’s therapy that fits into your routine, with less stress and more convenience.
-
The cost for individual sessions is $180.
I don’t take insurance directly, but I’m happy to provide a superbill to help you seek reimbursement through your insurance. I want to make the process as smooth as possible for you.
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) has additional costs, which vary depending on the length of your personalized plan and whether you listen to the music in sessions or at home. For more details, please visit the SSP page .
Get help from a Fort Lauderdale Chronic Pain Therapist
Chronic pain doesn’t have to control your life. The discomfort, the frustration of missing out, and the fear of making things worse can leave you feeling stuck—but you don’t have to face it alone.
I’m here to help you explore what’s underneath the pain, reduce its intensity, and reconnect with the life that truly matters to you.
Together, we’ll work at your pace to help your body feel safer, so you can move forward with more ease and confidence.
Related Blog Posts
Reach Out Today
Fill out the form or click on the link to set up a consult call to get started.
https://calendly.com/amy-amyhagerstrom/20-minute-consultation
If you don’t see a day and time that fits your schedule, send a message on the form below and we will find a time that works for both of us.