Alan Gordon, LCSW

Founder

Alan Gordon is a psychotherapist in Los Angeles, CA, specializing in the treatment of chronic pain and other physical symptoms. He developed Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), a cutting-edge protocol for treating chronic pain, and just completed a large neuroimaging study on the efficacy of PRT in conjunction with the University of Colorado Boulder. Alan was featured on CBS’s The Doctors, where he conducted the first fMRI case study of a patient eliminating chronic pain. He is an adjunct assistant professor at USC and has presented on the topic of pain treatment at conferences and trainings throughout the country.

Vanessa Blackstone, ASW

Executive Director

Vanessa Blackstone is the Executive Director of the Pain Psychology Center and a clinical trainer/consultant at the Pain Reprocessing Therapy Center. She is a direct, transparent therapist, specializing in mindfulness-based approaches. She integrates cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic therapies with a solution-focused, strengths-based approach. Vanessa upholds a sophisticated set of interpersonal skills allowing her to connect with others and create a safe, supportive, and empowering environment. Following her own personal recovery with chronic pain, Vanessa understands the importance of meeting the unique needs of each patient. She also has a background in treating substance-use disorders, sex therapy, couples therapy, and works as an on set wellness professional.

Giovanna Carbajal, LCSW

Associate Director / Intake Coordinator III

Giovanna earned her master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California. She has experience treating individuals with anxiety, depression, and mood disorders. Giovanna’s personal healing and recovery from chronic pain have helped her understand the obstacles that clients can encounter. She integrates mindfulness, self-compassion, and a strengths-focused approach. Giovanna believes an essential part of healing is creating a safe therapeutic space. Therefore, she recognizes everyone’s journey is unique and strives to build safety by implementing self-empowerment, patience, and humor.

SHERRY DEL CAMPO, LCSW

Clinical Director / Clinical Supervisor

Paulina Soble, LCSW

Director of Operations

Paulina Soble is the Operations Director of the Pain Psychology Center and Co-Founder of the Pain Reprocessing Therapy Center. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Southern California. Paulina utilizes pain reprocessing therapy and draws influence from cognitive, behavioral, and psychodynamic theories to help clients better understand their own mind-body connection and deactivate fear signals in the brain. She encourages clients to approach their pain and subsequent healing not with expectation, but rather through a lens of empowerment. Paulina helps her patients to increase their self-compassion and self-care as essential tools in chronic pain recovery as well as personal growth. Paulina also has extensive experience working with anxiety, OCD, and disordered eating.

Christine Archer, LMFT, APCC

Christine supports clients in navigating chronic pain and anxiety, with the ultimate goal of helping her clients to experience more balance and well-being in their lives. Christine’s approach weaves together mindfulness-based and cognitive behavioral therapies, and focuses on the process of cultivating deeper self-understanding and self-compassion. Some of Christine’s personal values that she brings into her work with clients include acceptance, authenticity, patience, humility, humor, and curiosity.

SARAH AGNEW, MSW

Intake Coordinator I

Sarah Agnew (She/Her), originally from the Seattle area, earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California. Sarah’s commitment to holistic healing uses a client-centered approach by incorporating cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and mindfulness techniques into Pain Reprocessing Therapy. She sees the therapeutic process as a partnership where the client and clinician work together to create safety and well-being. Sarah explores the mind-body connection with patience, empathy, awareness, and authenticity. She is LBGTQIA+ affirmative and sex-positive.

Mike Averill, ASW

Mike Averill is a psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, CA and Portland, OR. Mike is certified in Pain Reprocessing Therapy and is a clinical trainer and group lead with the Pain Reprocessing Therapy Center. Additionally, as a certified meditation and yoga instructor for over a decade, Mike incorporates these practices into much of his therapeutic and coaching work. Beyond physical symptoms, Mike uses somatic and parts approaches to effectively work with anxiety, trauma, and OCD. He also weaves in tools to build self-compassion, resilience, and less rigid ways of thinking and being. Mike received his master’s degree from University of Southern California and is also trained in psychedelic preparation and integration through Oregon’s measure 109.

Anna Barnett, LMFT

Anna Barnett is certified in Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and specializes in treating anxiety and chronic pain. Alongside PRT, Anna integrates mindfulness-based, existential, and solution-focused models in her approach to treatment. She has a personal history of obtaining freedom from chronic headaches using the tools she employs with her clients. Anna previously developed an intensive outpatient program to support rapid recovery from anxiety, depression, and trauma through mindfulness and is trained in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. She also has a background working with clients with cancer and their support systems. Anna is a certified yoga and Acro Yoga teacher.

Bianca (Berzner) Lenga, AMFT

Bianca (Berzner) Lenga has her master’s in clinical psychology and works with clients of all cultural backgrounds and sexual orientations who have chronic pain. With extensive training in and personal experience with the mind-body connection, Bianca shares empathy, curiosity, humor, and her light-hearted nature. Holistically, she fosters healing and collaborates with clients to build safety and hope. Bianca incorporates pain reprocessing therapy, mindfulness-based, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamic models into treatment with a strengths-based lens. She enjoys journeying with her clients on their paths toward self-awareness, self-compassion, and joy by providing them liberating and life-changing tools.

Steven Bradshaw, LMFT, SEP

Steven Bradshaw helps clients gain freedom from pain to achieve an abundant, connected, and joyful life. Steven brings a personal understanding to the recovery process having overcome migraines and back pain through his own therapy and practice. Along with his Masters in Clinical Psychology, Steven has three years of training in Somatic Experiencing, a modality that helps to decondition fear, discharge accumulated stress, and increase relaxation and vitality. In his free time, Steven loves to climb mountains and explore beautiful spaces in nature.

Michelle Avril Bush, MA

Michelle Avril Bush has over 20 years of experience in the mental health field, working in therapy, assessment, supervision, research, and teaching. Michelle uses an evidence and strengths-based integrative approach, focusing on client education, gaining insight, resiliency development, and interpersonal work. Michelle comes to the Pain Psychology Center with extensive experience in issues relating to depression, anxiety, trauma, abuse, loss, addiction, adjustment disorders, and behavioral problems.

MELANY COHEN, LMFT, CHT, JD

Clinical Supervisor

Melany Cohen is a psychotherapist and certified hypnotherapist, specializing in the treatment of chronic pain. Her own positive experience with hypnosis inspired her to make a life-transforming decision. She gave up her law career so that she could pursue her true passion to become a healer and motivator. She incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy, guided imagery and mindfulness-based stress reduction to support patients in their recovery process.

DANIELLA DEUTSCH, ASW

Daniella received a master’s in social work from the University of Southern California. Daniella individualizes her treatment approach to meet the needs of each patient. She encourages her patients to relate to themselves with self-compassion while using evidences-based practices such as cognitive behavioral therapy to achieve pain reduction and mind and body wellness.

MERCEDES ELKOFF, MFT

Mercedes “Sadie” Elkoff received a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from USC and approaches her work with clients from an integrative perspective, seeking to tailor treatment to the individual, with an emphasis on the therapeutic relationship as a source of healing and repair for emotional wounds. Sadie has experience working with many forms of trauma, depression, anxiety and addiction. She pulls from attachment and psychodynamic principles and filters them through a systemic framework, helping clients connect with their purpose and authentic self. Sadie integrates Pain Reprocessing Therapy, Mindfulness, DBT, CBT and Narrative therapy to best support her clients journeys of healing.

CARLA GARCIA, MSW

Carla Garcia is a psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, CA. She integrates Gestalt, CBT and mindfulness-based strategies to best support clients in their healing process. She values the relationship between therapist and client and views therapy as an opportunity to work collaboratively. Her goal is to always make her clients feel seen, valued and heard. Carla graduated from USC with a Master’s in Social Work and is passionate about mental health advocacy.

JOHN GASIENICA, ASW

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND OUTREACH

Following his own recovery from chronic pain, John Gasienica brings personal understanding and empathy alongside contemporary methodology to clients experiencing pain, anxiety, and depression. Using a light-hearted demeanor, John uniquely caters Pain Reprocessing Therapy with a cognitive behavioral and mindfulness-based approach to each individual client. John received his master’s degree from the University of Southern California.

BRANDON GESCHEIDLE, LMFT

Brandon Gescheidle (He/Him/His) is a psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, CA who specializes in the treatment of chronic pain. He uses an integrative model of cognitive-behavioral, family systems, and narrative therapy and works from an LGBTQ+-affirmative, trauma-informed lens. Brandon understands that each patient’s relationship with pain is unique, and their treatment must be tailored to fit their individual needs and lived experience. His work aims to help patients understand their pain, increase self-compassion, and utilize Pain Reprocessing Therapy to reprogram the brain’s relationship to pain. Brandon received his master’s degree from the University of Southern California.

Jocelyn Gutzman, PHD

Dr. Gutzman has over 12 years of experience in the mental health field doing therapy, assessments, teaching and research. She is an adjunct professor at the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University. She utilizes a holistic approach to treat clients with chronic pain that incorporates pain reprocessing therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, positive psychology, neuroscience and mindfulness. She works with clients to find their resilient potential within, while integrating the healing power of the mind-body connection. She offers a warm and inclusive environment for all people on their journey towards mental well-being and flourishing.

AASIYAH HILL, LCSW

Jessie HOFFER, ASW

Jessie Hoffer (she/her) is a psychotherapist who earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California. Her educational background in social work, the study of human movement, and her experience working in physical therapy and sex therapy inspired her passion for mind-body psychotherapy. Jessie aims to guide her clients toward confidence, self-compassion, and joy. Her approach focuses on helping clients build tools to better manage chronic pain and emotional stress, release tension stored in the body from negative life experiences, and empower clients to identify, create, and value their strengths.

ESTI JUNGREIS, LMSW

Esti is a psychotherapist who received her master’s degree from Columbia University. She works collaboratively with her clients to develop insight and understanding into their life experiences. While chronic pain may bring one to therapy, Esti believes that the skills and clarity that clients develop in treatment will help them move through the world with a sense of ease. Esti utilizes a multi-faceted approach, integrating aspects of cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and mindfulness therapies into her work.

CALLIE KUNZ, MA, CERTIFIED LIFE COACH

Callie Kunz (she/her) is a pain recovery coach based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Callie began working with persistent pain patients shortly after reaching the end of her own healing journey from 24 years of fibromyalgia symptoms. She is a retired educator who feels passionately about mindbody approaches to chronic conditions and is committed to using evidence-based strategies to support others in their recoveries. She believes in the body’s amazing capacity to heal and approaches this work with positivity, honesty, and compassion. Callie is PRT certified and has life coaching credentials. She has experience working with a variety of psychogenic symptoms including headaches, digestion issues, neck and back pain, and insomnia. When she’s not working, she can often be found playing in the snow, creating container gardens, or chasing the northern lights.

DEREK KO, MSW

Derek Ko received his Master’s in Social Work specializing in adult mental health & wellness at the University of Southern California. Derek is certified in Pain Reprocessing Therapy, and utilizes cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness interventions to support clients in developing insight and a sense of understanding for their life experiences. He aims to create a safe, supportive environment with an emphasis on self-compassion and authenticity. Derek’s background includes working with clients experiencing anxiety and depression, mood disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and autism.

JAMILLA LIGHTNER, AMFT, APCC

Jamilla supports clients experiencing pain, trauma, anxiety, and depression through a variety of therapeutic techniques. She incorporates Psychodynamic, Gestalt, and Relational therapy to invite clients to embark on the road to healing. She also introduces mediation, in-the-moment care, and help-now skills to allow the client to discover and rely upon their own inner strengths.

MICHELLE MALKOUKIAN, MSW

Michelle received her MSW from UCLA with an emphasis in Mental Health and Health. Having experienced chronic pain first-hand, Michelle utilizes therapy as an opportunity to provide deeper insight to and promote healing around different physical sensations. She utilizes various evidence-based practices to alter old beliefs and build new coping mechanisms for pain, while addressing any anxiety or depression that may underlie such pain. Michelle believes that every individual is entitled to feel empowerment, relief, and control over one’s own life.

CHELSEA MOYER, LCSW

Clinical Supervisor

Chelsea Moyer has an extensive background in working with the connection between the body and the mind, both personally and professionally. She works relationally and experientially to support her clients in gaining personal insight into the mind body connection to promote healing on a deeper, more holistic level. Chelsea believes therapy functions optimally as a collaborative experience in which the therapeutic relationship meets the unique needs of each client. She utilizes an integrative approach to psychotherapy, pulling primarily from mindfulness and psychodynamic modalities, in an effort to promote more expansive self-awareness, authentic self-compassion, and improved self-care: the catalysts to change.

TIM NORTON, LCSW

Tim Norton utilizes a mindfulness-based behavioral approach to treating chronic pain and mind-body disorders. Apart from receiving direct training from Alan Gordon, he has a strong background in both Dialectical Behavior Therapy and sex therapy. Tim works with his clients to set tangible goals, and helps them acquire the skills they need to achieve them. His methods emphasize self-acceptance and non-judgment.

TRACY OVERLY, LCSW

Tracy Overly is trained and certified in Pain Reprocessing Therapy. She embraces a collaborative approach that emphasizes client-empowerment. She utilizes somatic tracking, sensory-based mindfulness, and safe movement techniques designed to help clients master the skills they need to thrive independently. Having personal experience recovering from neuroplastic pain, Tracy brings a deep sense of empathy and understanding to the challenges that can come with recovery. She strives to foster a safe environment that enables clients to explore their experiences with openness and curiosity. In her free time, Tracy enjoys rock climbing and nature hikes with her two rescue dogs.

REGINA PEIRCE, LCSW

Regina Peirce is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a master’s degree from the University of Houston. Having trained in cognitive behavioral and mindfulness-based therapeutic interventions, her years-long journey with chronic foot pain led her to subsequently receive her certification in Pain Reprocessing Therapy. She now specializes in mind-body approaches to neuroplastic pain and is passionate about sharing this modality with clients. Regina has experience treating a variety of chronic pain symptoms, as well as anxiety and depression. She enjoys personalizing her approach, integrating research on topics such as self-compassion, relationships, parenting, and social justice. She has worked with teenagers, adults of all ages, parents, couples, and the military community.

NATASHA ROSOW, LCSW

Natasha Rosow treats chronic pain and related psychophysiological barriers to wellness using a combination of psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction. She tailors treatment to each individual’s unique needs and emphasizes self-compassion as essential to healing and personal growth. Natasha’s approach is trauma-informed, and she has specialized training in working with survivors of interpersonal violence and abusive relationships.

GINA SAFOYAN NERCISIAN, LCSW

Gina is a psychotherapist based in Los Angeles and received a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California. She integrates psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral techniques to help clients cultivate a sense of self-compassion in their unique journey to treating chronic pain. Gina has experience working with anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, and trauma in adults and adolescents. She strives to provide a safe and empathetic space for clients to grow and heal.

Derek Sapico, LMFT

Clinical Supervisor

Derek Sapico has been working in the field of chronic pain treatment for his entire career. In addition to serving as the Fieldwork Coordinator for the USC MFT Program, Derek was an adjunct lecturer at University of the West, served as lead therapist at the California Headache and Pain Center, and co-authored the Treatment Outline and Training Protocol for the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association. Derek is passionate about the clinical supervision process and the training and development of the therapists at the Pain Psychology Center.

JACKIE SARNECKY, AMFT, APCC

Jackie is a psychotherapist with a personal healing journey from lupus, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue. She incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy with somatic, attachment, and trauma-informed expressive arts therapies. She is trained in Internal Family Systems and values using IFS in the process of understanding and unburdening areas of pain. She has a faith-based background that includes deconstructing spiritual abuse. Jackie’s clinical experience is with domestic violence, betrayal-trauma, divorce, teens, anxiety, and depression. Jackie empowers clients to break negative cycles and experience a life with more freedom.

SADIE SCHLOSSER, MSW

Sadie Schlosser received her master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of Southern California and specializes in the treatment of chronic pain and eating disorders. Sadie tailors her treatment approach to meet the specific needs of each individual client, while incorporating her certification in Pain Reprocessing Therapy, integrating Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based techniques to help clients alleviate pain symptoms, while maximizing the mind-body connection. Sadie practices through a trauma-informed lens and focuses on each client’s unique strengths to foster a deep sense of inner healing. She deeply values creating a collaborative therapeutic relationship that allows each client to cultivate a sense of safety and authentic self-compassion, while drawing on her own recovery experience to provide a genuine connection to each individual’s experience.

CLAIRE SUMMERS, ASW

Claire Summers is a psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, CA and received a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California. Claire is certified in Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET). In addition to PRT, Claire’s practice emphasizes experiential, emotional, and cognitive-behavioral techniques to alleviate symptoms and foster a deep understanding of the mind-body connection. Claire has ample experience working with a wide range of chronic pain symptoms and specializes in migraines/headaches, neck pain, anxiety, and depression.

JUMANA TWAL, AMFT

ED WALTON, LCSW

MSW Internship Training Program Director / Clinical Supervisor

Having faced chronic pain and subsequently overcome it, Ed Walton brings a deep level of personal understanding to the recovery process. In this way, he helps his patients improve their lives by addressing the pain from an experiential angle as well as drawing upon the strengths of his formal trainings and education. Incorporating all relevant modalities of therapy (including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and mindfulness), Ed customizes a specific approach to each patient’s individual needs in order for them to resolve chronic pain and return to the life they want.

DANI WEINSTOCK, MSW

Dani Weinstock is a psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, CA. Having personally experienced and successfully recovered from chronic pain, Dani offers empathy and understanding to her clients. She personalizes treatment for each client, incorporates evidence acquired through her own pain journey, and utilizes a wide variety of therapy modalities, including Pain Reprocessing Therapy, Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy, Mindfulness, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to eliminate client pain symptoms. Dani has experience working with trauma, anxiety and depression. She is certified in trauma-informed care and has a solution-focused approach. Dani received her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California.

Alondra Zavala Hernandez, MSW Intern

Alondra is currently studying at the University of Southern California, working towards receiving her Master’s in Social Work in May 2024. Her professional journey includes working with children, youth, and families, where she has conducted both individual and group sessions on topics such as suicide, anxiety, family dynamics, and self-confidence. Alondra prioritizes creating a safe and welcoming environment where clients feel comfortable and heard through active listening, empathy, and compassion.

Eleanora Shulman, MSW Intern

Eleanora is a graduate student at the University of Southern California, expected to receive her MSW in the Spring of 2024. Eleanora has clinical experience working with older adults and psychiatric populations. She holds a strong background in neuroscience and integrates her knowledge of the brain and behavior to support a deeper understanding of the mind-body connection. Eleanora’s psychotherapy approach tailors various modalities to honor the individualization of each client. Eleanora aims to foster a collaborative therapeutic relationship by creating a space of openness and safety through nonjudgmental communication, authenticity, and compassion.

Medical Advisory Board

The Medical Advisory Board of the Pain Psychology Center is a multi-disciplinary group of physicians who are among the most respected and experienced in their fields. These physicians, elected by our Board of Directors, serve in an advisory capacity to the Pain Psychology Center team.

DAVID SCHECHTER, MD

David Schechter, MD is Board Certified in Sports Medicine and Family Medicine, with a credential in Pain Medicine. He has served on the faculty of the USC School of Medicine since 1990, and has published and presented widely on the topic of musculoskeletal pain. Voted Top Doctor by US News and World Report, Dr. Schechter is a leading physician in the field of psychophysiologic disorders. He currently practices in Beverly Hills and Culver City, California.

DR. HOWARD SCHUBINER, MD

Dr. Howard Schubiner, MD is board certified in pediatrics and internal medicine and is the director of the Mind Body Medicine Center at Providence Hospital in Southfield, MI. He is a Clinical Professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine and has authored over 60 publications in scientific journals and books. Dr. Schubiner has conducted research on psychophysiological disorders and is currently working on a large grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the effects of emotional expression therapy for fibromyalgia.

DAVID D. CLARKE, MD

David D. Clarke, MD is President of the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association, Clinical Assistant Professor of Gastroenterology Emeritus and Assistant Director at the Center for Ethics at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and a Faculty Associate at Arizona State University. He is board-certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine and practiced Gastroenterology in Portland, Oregon from 1984 to 2009. Dr. Clarke frequently lectures on psychophysiologic disorders both nationally and internationally, and he has appeared on over 100 TV and radio broadcasts.