Find a TMS Doctor or Therapist

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The following pages might help you choose the person best suited for you:

How to use this list

You may see the following links under the entries for some providers:

  • TMS Wiki User Profile: Some practitioners have taken the time to join our wiki. From their TMS Wiki User Profile (linked to, below), you can send them a message or start a new discussion thread. Note that new threads can be viewed by anyone. As with email, you should not use either approach for private or urgent communications.
  • Survey Response: The TMS Wiki has created a survey which it welcomes all practitioners interested in this approach to fill out. We have separate questionnaires for physicians, therapists, and coaches. You can read more about the survey here.
  • Q&A Answers: If a provider is a member of the panel of experts in our Q&A with an Expert program, we include a link to the home page of that program. To read a brief bio and see links to all of that provider's answers, click on the link and scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Before starting a professional relationship with anyone on this list, you should confirm relevant information, including credentials and accepted insurance. As with all other information on the wiki, we can't guarantee the information in this list. When possible, we try to include links to make it easy for you to confirm the information.

For Practitioners

Please help us improve this list by providing us with more information about yourself. See our "Updating information about yourself in our practitioner list" page for information about how to do this. General information about interacting with the wiki can be found in our "For TMS practitioners" page.

If you are a licensed TMS therapist or physician and would like to be listed on our directory please Contact Us.

Number of practitioners on the list

Physicians: 52
Therapists: 78
Other: 11
Total: 141

Via Internet or Telephone

Unfortunately, many people who think they may have Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS) do not live in an area served by any TMS professionals. Luckily, some TMS professionals are able to provide services over the internet or telephone. Although diagnosis can't be performed over the internet or telephone and distance can provide a significant barrier to psychotherapy, the following people provide coaching and other services to people who aren't able to travel to meet a provider face to face. More information can be found in our page on Structured TMS recovery programs.

Physicians - available via internet or telephone

Therapists - available via internet or telephone

International Practitioners - available via internet or telephone

Additional Practitioners - available via internet or telephone

Currently, all additional practitioners listed are able to conduct sessions remotely. Click here to go to the Additional TMS Practitioners page.

United States

Arizona

An image of Practitioner Liz Wallenstein
Liz Wallenstein
Liz Wallenstein, LMHC
(Therapist)

Liz Wallenstein has been seeing patients with Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS) for over 6 years. She recovered from her own battle with TMS in 1997. Wallenstein earned a Master's degree in psychological counseling from Columbia University and specializes in working with people in chronic pain. She writes, “As a TMS therapist I facilitate self-awareness through guided conversation in a caring, safe environment. I help clients connect with repressed thoughts, feelings and parts of self in order to find relief and healing physically, emotionally and mentally. Compared with general psychotherapy, my TMS work is guided by an understanding of common dynamics, personality structures and thought patterns that lead to TMS pain. Once I help clients gain awareness of what’s at the root of their TMS, they can choose how they want to respond to it, though even just the awareness itself can be helpful and healing” (Source). She has two offices, one in Brooklyn and another in Manhattan.

7600 North 15th St.
Suite 150
Phoenix, AZ 85020
(917) 727-3549
Liz@LizWallensteinTherapy.com
Survey Response / Website


Arkansas

James R. Rochelle, MD (Physician)

Dr Rochelle is a practicing orthopedic surgeon in Arkansas. He incorporates the TMS diagnosis and treatments in his practice. He says that only when people "accept the idea that unpleasant emotions in the unconscious mind actually cause physical symptoms will we see an end to the current epidemic of TMS musculoskeletal pain in its many varieties." He is also a contributing author to Dr Sarno's The Divided Mind. (Source)

Address has not been verified
Orthopedic Surgery
403 Morrow St N Suite F
Mena, AR 71953
Main Wiki Page on Dr. James Rochelle
Contributed the article, "My Perspective on Psychosomatic Medicine," in The Divided Mind, by Dr. John Sarno. 2006.

California

Los Angeles area

Justin Barker, PsyD (Therapist)

Dr. Barker introduces himself by saying, "I am a clinical psychologist in the Los Angeles area. I’ve experienced personally how TMS pain can be all-consuming mentally and I know what a struggle it can be to heal. Because of my own journey with TMS, I feel incredibly passionate about TMS therapy and treatment. My favorite way to exercise is powerlifting, and I still remember to this day the moment I first felt pain in my back as well as the moment I became pain free almost four years later. The mind/body interaction is immensely complicated, and I feel honored to have the opportunity to help people live pain-free lives. I have worked with many people that have healed from years or decades of pain and I believe it takes substantial courage to confront underlying emotions that are creating the pain. For more information about me, my website is a good resource: www.drjustinbarker.com" (Source)

Available via phone and videoconference
1849 Sawtelle Blvd, Suite 610
Los Angeles, CA 90025

Phone: 424-272-1554
justin@drjustinbarker.com
Survey Response / Website


Susan Basset, MSW, LCSW (Therapist)

18319 Linnet
Tarzana, CA 91356
(818) 345-0260


An image of Practitioner Will Baum
Will Baum
Will Baum, LCSW
(Therapist)

Will Baum is a psychotherapist in the Los Angeles area. He has written a number of articles for PsychologyToday.com, the Huffington Post, and Where the Client Is. He is cross trained in psychodynamic talk therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Will Baum's practice is focused on anxiety/depression, relationships, chronic pain, and addiction recovery. He has experience working with an "extremely wide range of clients and concerns." (Source)

Recent Change of Address
4448 Ambrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 610-0112
will@willbaum.com
TMS Wiki Profile / Website
Main Wiki Page about Will Baum
Will Baum has written several TMS related articles for Where the Client Is. Information about them can be found on the TMS in the Media page.


an image of Arnold Bloch
Arnold Bloch
Arnold Bloch, LCSW
(Therapist)

Arnold Bloch, LCSW has been in practice for over 25 years, during which time he has seen over 200 clients with TMS. He holds a master's degree in social work from the University of Southern California, and studied under long-time TMS therapist, Don Dubin, MFT. Bloch has a close working relationship with David Schechter, MD (Source) who himself has seen over 1000 patients with TMS. He has dedicated himself to "the alleviation of chronic pain, especially when that pain can not be satisfactorily explained by conventional medical examination." He believes in the power people have in "freeing themselves from the suffering brought about by a negatively conditioned mind," and he seeks to help people develop the skills to choose the mind and body states they desire to have.

Bloch has been very active in the TMS community. He has attended TMS conferences and stays up-to-date on the latest mind-body research and treatment techniques. In the fall of 2012, Bloch participated in a TMS webinar, alongside Dr. Schechter. (Source)

Available via Phone and Skype
1280 Willsbrook Ct
Westlake Village, CA 91361
(805) 796-9540
arnold@arnoldbloch.com
Survey Response / Website
TMS Webinar with Dr. Schechter and Arnold Bloch


Alex Bloom, MSW (Therapist)

Alex Bloom is a psychotherapist at the Pain Psychology Center in Los Angeles, CA headed by Alan Gordon, LCSW. His approach to therapy focuses on a psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral model as well as other techniques (Source)

Alex is also one of the answering therapists for the Ask a TMS Therapist program.

Available via Skype
9777 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 1007
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 853-2049
Contact Form
Forum Profile
Ask a TMS Therapist Responses


Samantha Bothast, LCSW (Therapist)

Samantha Bothast is a psychotherapist at the Pain Psychology Center in Los Angeles, CA headed by Alan Gordon, LCSW. Samantha uses both a cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic approach in her sessions. Samantha worked as a medical social worker for 19 years prior to working at the Pain Psychology Center. (Source)

Available via Skype
9777 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 1007
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 853-2049
Contact Form


An image of practitioner Lani Chin
Lani Chin
Lani Chin, PsyD
(Therapist)

Dr. Lani Chin is a clinical psychologist based in Los Angeles. She attended the clinical training for the treatment of mindbody disorders held in Los Angeles in 2013.

1328 Westwood Blvd. Unit 9
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310-344-5550
Website
Survey Response
Insurance Accepted: MHN, Magellan, out of network provider for all other plans


Donald Dubin, MS, MFCC

(Deceased)
Don Dubin was a committed and loved TMS therapist who worked with David Schechter for many years.


An image of practitioner Suzanne Engelman
Suzanne Engelman
Suzanne Engelman, PhD
(Therapist)

In our Practitioner Survey, Dr. Engelman introduces herself as follows: "An experienced clinical and health psychologist, I have been working in the field of psychophysiologic disorders (PPD) for 30 years. As a member of of the medical staffs of two Orange County hospitals, I frequently receive referrals from physicians (both TMS physicians specifically and physicians in general) who think their patients may have a psychological component to their pain or disorder. In addition to trauma, back pain, foot pain, paralysis of specific limbs, and other pain syndromes, some people experience psychogenic non-epileptic seizures. My approach to all of these issues may include utilizing tools of mindfulness, biofeedback and other mind body approaches. I also conduct Animal Assisted Therapy, and have a special interest working with issues of death, dying, and bereavement." (Source)

30131 Town Center Drive, #268
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 460-4908
suzyengelm@aol.com
Survey Response / Website
Insurance Accepted: None


An image of Practitioner Susan Farber
Susan Farber
Susan Farber, MA, MFT
(Therapist)

Susan is a Marriage Family Therapist in private practice. She has both a Bachelor's and Master's in psychology. She says "Often my work encompasses a mind/body perspective. I believe that many physical ailments have an emotional component to them and everyone's body is a wealth of often underutilized information. I teach my clients to use their body as a barometer in order to gain valuable insight into denied emotions and issues. In taking responsibility and ownership of their physical selves, a sense of empowerment emerges enabling my clients to move forward toward making positive life changes." (Source 1) (Source 2)

Available via Phone and Skype
22 West Micheltorena Street, Suite B
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
and
540 Alisal Road, #3
Solvang, CA  93463
(805) 886-5538
farbermft@yahoo.com
Website / Sports psychotherapy website / Survey Response / Article-Managing Chronic Pain So That it Doesn't Manage You


Alan Gordon, LCSW (Therapist)

Alan Gordon is a psychotherapist in private practice in Santa Monica who specializes in the treatment of chronic pain using the the TMS approach. He is a co-founder and the Executive Director of the Pain Psychology Center, a TMS treatment center in Los Angeles. He is also a board member of the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association (PPDA). He was the primary organizer (chair) of the 2nd annual TMS Conference held in LA in March 2010, where he gave a presentation entitled “Cognitive-Behavioral Approaches in the Treatment of Mind-Body Disorders.” His efforts were a key factor in making the conference a success. Alan also co-organized and presented at the 2013 clinical training in Los Angeles with Howard Schubiner, MD in partnership with the PPDA. (Source1, Source2, Source3, Source4)

Alan developed a free multimedia TMS Recovery Program, which he donated to the TMS Wiki in 2013. He has also written an article called “Miracles of Mindbody Medicine” for the Healthcare Counseling and Psychotherapy Journal.

Alan is also one of the answering therapists for the Ask a TMS Therapist program.

Alan is not currently seeing new patients.

Pain Psychology Center
Main Wiki Page About Alan Gordon
Ask a TMS Therapist Responses


An image of Practitioner Michelle Gottlieb
Michelle Gottlieb
Michelle Gottlieb, PsyD, MFT
(Therapist)

Dr. Gottlieb is honored to work with those that struggle with chronic pain. As an EMDR certified therapist, she has many tools to help you process through your TMS symptoms. She is also very experienced with anxiety, depression, couples and trauma therapy. Dr. Gottlieb is an adjunct professor at Cal State Fullerton teaching graduate students how to be effective therapists.(Source) 305 N. Harbor Blvd., Suite 202
Fullerton, CA 92831
(714) 879-5868
drmichelle@michellegottlieb.com
TMS Wiki User Profile / Who's Who Page
User Page (includes an article written by Gottlieb on EMDR)
Website


Helene Green, LCSW (Therapist)

18319 Linnet
Tarzana, CA 91356
(818) 996-5296


Phillip Green, PhD (Therapist)

19710 Ventura Blvd. Suite 203
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
(818) 999-9663


Karen Kay, PsyD, PhD (Therapist)

Karen Kay, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst with a private practice in West Los Angeles. She has worked with TMS patients throughout her 35+ year career and has been supervised by Arlene Feinblatt, Ph.D. (the psychologist who developed the psychotherapeutic approach to TMS in collaboration with John Sarno, M.D.). Dr. Kay was an approved supervisor for the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy for over 20 years. She says, "I have had great success in helping people who struggle with mind-body difficulties. In addition, I have specialty training in working with children, adolescents and adults."

1800 Fairburn Avenue
Suite 109
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 446-0500
TMS Wiki Profile
Survey Response
Website


Suzi Kimbell, MA, LMFT (Therapist)

Suzi Kimbell is a psychotherapist with training in somatic, body-centered psychotherapy, EMDR, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and trauma and PTSD treatment from a mind-body perspective. She attended the clinical training in Los Angeles in November 2013. Suzi also suffered from chronic back pain, which she overcame using the TMS approach. She writes, "My own recovery from TMS led to my passion for helping those with chronic pain, whose symptoms are so often misunderstood by the traditional medical community. I know first hand how powerful Dr Sarno’s ideas are and that recovery from pain is truly possible." (Source)

Available via Phone and Skype
860 Via De La Paz, Suite F6
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
(310) 463 7598
Insurance Accepted: All PPO insurances (Suzi Kimball is an out of network provider)
Survey Response


an image of Catherine Lockwood
Catherine Lockwood
Catherine Lockwood, MA, MFT
(Therapist)

Catherine Lockwood is an experienced Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, California. She has studied under many notable ISTDP instructors and continues to attend workshops and seminars on ISTDP. She also attended the 2013 Clinical Training for the Treatment of Mind-Body Disorders in Los Angeles. There, she observed how Howard Schubiner, MD and Alan Gordon, LCSW, the presenters of the training, are utilizing ISTDP in their approaches to treating TMS. Catherine writes, "I am passionate and dedicated to continuing to improve my skills in ISTDP, TMS and trauma treatment." (Source)

Available via Video
179 Barrington Place, Suite B
Brentwood Village
Los Angeles, CA 900049
(310) 488-5292
CatherineLockwoodMFT@GMail.com
Survey Response / Website


an image of Daniel G. Lyman
Daniel G. Lyman
Daniel G. Lyman, MSW
(Therapist)

Daniel G. Lyman is a psychotherapist at the Pain Psychology Center in Los Angeles, CA headed by Alan Gordon, LCSW. He earned a master's degree in Social Work and in Public Administration from the University of Southern California and specializes in the treatment of mindbody pain syndromes. In describing his treatment approach, he writes, “My goal in therapy is to provide a safe place to challenge our current beliefs and behaviors regarding our pain (TMS). The process is two-fold: The first part is changing the nature of our relationship to our symptoms, and the second part is discovering why the symptoms are there in the first place. These concurrent paths help to decrease the symptoms in the present as well as discourage the symptoms from recurring in the future.” Daniel also specializes in working with the LGBT population, including couples and family issues. (Source)

Daniel is one of the participating psychotherapists in the Ask A TMS Therapist program. Read his responses here.

Contributed article: 10 Days of Silence: Meditation, Pain, & How You Can Become the Most Emotionally Healthy Person You Know, by Daniel G. Lyman (Part I), (Part II).

Available via Phone and Video
(617) 470-6043
DanielGLyman@gmail.com
Survey Response / Forum Profile
Ask A TMS Therapist Responses


Gillian Marcus, LMFT (Therapist)

Gillian Marcus is a clinical therapist with a private practice in West Los Angeles specialized in TMS. She attended the Los Angeles conference When Stress Causes Pain for TMS practitioners in November 2013. Gillian also has a personal history of TMS, and used a combination techniques including psycho-education, therapy, meditation and other self-help techniques to help relieve her TMS symptoms. (Source)

Available via Phone
2001 South Barrington Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 288-3536
Survey Response


Brooke Mathews, LCSW (Therapist)

Brooke Mathews is an experienced psychodynamic therapist based in Southern California. A former board member of the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association (PPDA), Brooke earned her master's degree in social work from the University of Southern California, and is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in the state of California. She writes, “I have devoted a great deal of my practice to working with and advocating for patients who can't seem to find anything medically or physically wrong...My approach is to treat the whole person, whether you come in with pain and are subsequently depressed, or your pain is a result of your anxiety, I work with patients to address the source of the problem and resolve the issues with pain.” Brooke also has a personal connection to TMS, suffering fro chronic migraines in the past. (Source)

Available via Phone and Skype
Recent Change of Address
3331 Ocean Park #101
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(917) 692-4085
bmathewslcsw@gmail.com
Survey Response


Susan Mendenhall, PsyD (Therapist)

10436 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 3050
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 558-8091


An image of Practitioner Andrew Miller
Andrew Miller
Andrew Miller, LMFT
(Therapist)

Andrew Miller is a licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT) and a TMS/PPD sufferer. He has over a decade of experience with TMS as both a patient and as a clinician. As a clinician, he received his Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University in Los Angeles. Incorporating psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness and psychodramatic techniques, he has helped his clients reduce TMS/PPD symptoms, more masterfully deal with difficult emotions, and more skillfully cope with life’s adversity. Currently, Andrew works in private practice and runs groups at treatment centers across Los Angeles.

Available via Phone and Skype
Recent Change in Address
566 S. San Vicente Blvd.
Suite 203
Los Angeles CA 90048
and
1314 Westwood Blvd.
Suite 201
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 776-5102
Website
Survey Response
Forum Profile / Introductory Thread / Success Story


Amber Murphy, MSW (Therapist)

Amber Murphy uses an integrative approach to treat chronic pain sufferers. She integrates psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral and trauma informed approaches while incorporating the practice of mindfulness to assist patients in overcoming their pain. Having recovered from psychogenic pain herself, Amber draws upon this experience to provide insight into the mind-body connection and to understand the fear and frustration that often accompanies TMS. (Source)

Available via Skype
9777 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 1007
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 853-2049
Contact Form Survey Response

Amber is also one of the answering therapists for the Ask a TMS Therapist program. Click here to view all of Amber's answers within the program.


Jessica Oifer, MFT (Therapist)

Jessica Oifer is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Los Angeles, California. She has worked with David Schechter, MD and in 2013 she attended the Clinical Training for the treatment of mind-body disorders in Los Angeles, CA. Jessica is also trained in the Trauma Resiliency Model, an approach that helps restores balance to the body after traumatic stress. On her general treatment approach, Jessica writes, “My process often includes non-judgmental exploration of my clients’ past and present experiences, as well as the development of concrete skills to reduce the physical and emotional symptoms that traumatic stress can have on the body and nervous system.” (Source)

Available via Phone and Skype
4640 Admiralty Way
Suite 318
Marina del Ray, CA 90292
and
15300 Ventura Boulevard
Suite 328
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(818) 538-9548
jessicaoifermft@gmail.com
Survey Response / Website


An image of Practitioner Colleen Perry
Colleen Perry
Colleen Perry, MFT
(Therapist)

Colleen Perry is a licensed marriage and family therapist practicing in the Los Angeles area. She focuses on eating disorders and body image issues, along with helping people with chronic pain. She says "In individual therapy we explore the direct link of the unconscious mind to the manifestation of pain in the body. Traditional forms of pain treatment such as physical therapy, pain medications, anti-inflammatory medications and injections, surgery, acupuncture, chiropractic care, or massage, do not address the underlying emotional issues that are causing the pain in the first place. All that these other forms of pain management can give you are temporary relief...The most immediate relief for clients upon receiving the TMS diagnosis is that there is nothing structurally wrong with their body and are therefore encouraged to go about their daily activities of life without giving into the pain."

Available via Video
1247 Seventh St. Suite 300
Santa Monica 90401
(310) 259-8970
drselfish@yahoo.com
Website
TMS Wiki Profile
Main Wiki Page on Colleen Perry
Curriculum Vitae


Katja Pohl, PsyD (Therapist)

Dr. Pohl is a clinical health psychologist with both master and doctorate level education in health psychology and additional training in pain, chronic illness, and other health-related issues (source). Dr. Pohl also has developed a specialty in trauma and health psychology (source). She writes, "It takes a great deal of courage to ask for help. It requires facing one’s problems head on and it can stir up feelings of shame and vulnerability. You may experience difficulty with trusting someone to accompany you on this journey; but also trusting that positive change is possible. It is important to find someone you can connect with to start your healing and growth. In my work with clients, I strive to create a safe and compassionate environment" (source).

2730 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 600
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 709-4582
Insurance Accepted: All PPO insurances (Dr. Pohl is an out of network provider)
Survey Response / Website


Arlen Ring, PhD (Therapist)

Arlen is a licensed psychologist in California. He has a doctorate in psychology. He says "I had been focusing on the mind body connection for a long time before I got exposed to Dr. Sarno. His thinking filled in important gaps for me. I have now spent several years specifically extending his diagnostic formulations into effective treatment for those people whose pain is caused by or worsened by emotions that have gotten directed into physical pain. I consider physical therapy, anti-inflammatory or pain deadening drugs and surgery to all have potential value. However, If you are not satisfied with the limitations of those approaches and believe that your pain has a significant emotional component, I can work with you on healing it." (Source)

1923 1/2 Westwood Blvd, Suite 2
Los Angeles, CA 90025
and
20501 Ventura Blvd, Suite 395
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
Website
(818) 999-0581
Arlen@ArlenRing.com


Derek Sapico, MFT (Therapist)

Derek Sapico is a psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, CA. He is on the board of the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association (PPDA). Derek was also the lead therapist at the California Headache and Pain Center for five years and has authored protocol on the treatment of pain for a number of organizations. (Source)

Derek is also one of the answering therapists for the Ask a TMS Therapist program.

Available via Skype
9777 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 1007
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 853-2049
Contact Form
Forum Profile
Ask a TMS Therapist Responses


An image of Practitioner David Schechter
David Schechter
David Schechter, MD
(Physician)

David Schechter is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Dr. Schechter has over twenty five years of experience with the Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS) diagnosis, has treated over a thousand patients has published original research on the subject and is the author of The Mindbody Workbook. While a medical student at NYU, he was a successful patient of Dr. Sarno. Dr. Schechter was a speaker at the 2nd Annual TMS Conference in March 2010. His presentation was entitled "Clinical Evaluation of Patients with Mind-Body Disorders." (Source)

Available via Internet Video
10811 Washington Blvd, Suite 250
Culver City, CA 90232
310-836-2225 (310-836-BACK)
frontofficedrs@gmail.com
TMS Wiki Profile / Survey Response / Q&A Answers / Workbook and CDs / Website
Main Wiki Page About David Schechter / Board member of the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association (PPDA) / Curriculum Vitae
Insurance Accepted: PPO provider for Blue Cross, Shield, United, Aetna, Cigna, Medicare. No HMO's.


An image of Practitioner Clive Segil
Clive Segil
Clive M Segil, MD
(Physician)

Clive Segil is an internationally renowned orthopedic surgeon from Los Angeles with 30 years of experience in the management of musculoskeletal disorders – a healer not just a physician/surgeon, with creative approaches to patient problems. Dr. Segil sees the patient as a “whole person” not only a “disease,” and he places great emphasis on the mind-body connection, applying the concept of what is best for the patient. This means that he uses treatments that result in a cure, at best, and at very least, a marked improvement in their well-being. (Source)

2080 Century Park East, Suite 500
Los Angeles, CA 90067
(310) 203-5490
(310) 203-5412 fax
drsegil@drsegil.com
Website
CURRICULUM VITAE
Survey Response
Insurance Accepted: All


Art Smith, PhD (Therapist)

Dr. Smith wrote one of the few doctoral dissertations on mind-body medicine (Claremont Graduate University 1998). He gives lectures and seminars on Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS), as well as contributing to research on the subject. (Source)

The Noetic Health Institute
Irvine, CA
(949) 460-0820
drsmith@noetichealth.com
Website
Resume


Nancy Sokolow, LCSW (Therapist)

530 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 310
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 393-2020


An image of Practitioner Jill Solomon
Jill Solomon
Jill Solomon, MFT
(Therapist)

Jill is a licensed marriage and family therapist in the Los Angeles area. She says "My interest in TMS grew after my own experiences with chronic pain for many years and my frustration with the traditional medical community. I knew there were many people suffering from 'mystery illnesses' that needed relief, guidance and support. I read Dr. John Sarno's book and was introduced to TMS through Dr. David Schechter in Los Angeles and Don Dubin MFCC. I am in private practice in the West Hollywood area, and chronic pain and somatization is one area of interest of mine. Unconscious 'bad' feelings that have been suppressed since childhood such as anger, guilt, sadness, rage, disappointment, unloveability and low self-esteem often emerge as somatic symptoms in various parts of the body." (Source)

Available via Phone
8240 Beverly Blvd Suite #8
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 692-3759
jdspsyche@aol.com
TMS Wiki Profile / Survey Response / Website
Insurance Accepted: Private Pay


Additional Practitioner

Monte Hueftle


San Francisco area

An image of Practitioner Clark Grove
Clark Grove
Clark Grove, PhD
(Therapist)

Clark has a masters in Humanistic Psychology (Mind/Body focus) and a PhD in Clinical Psychology, California Institute of Integral Studies. He is a licensed psychologist in California. He receives most of his referrals from Dr. Parvez Fatteh in the San Francisco Bay Area, who is a Sarno adherent and is board certified in physical medicine & rehabilitation, with a sub-specialty (Board Certified) in pain medicine.

He says, "About 8 years ago I was working with a client who had a number of issues, with the most compelling one severe tendon/muscle pain in his arms. He was diagnosed with repetitive motion injury and was so incapacitated that he couldn't even pick up his two year old daughter. This client introduced me to Sarno's work as he worked through his pain. The philosophy of Sarno's beliefs were familiar to me because of my background in mind/body psychologies in my Master's program at Sonoma State University. Approximately 7 years ago I had a close family member go through excruciating back pain. She consulted with over 10 health practitioners (mainstream and alternative) and did not find any diminution of the pain until she read "The Mind Body Prescription". She was pain free in about 2 months." (Source)

Available via Phone
1902 Webster St
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 923-6760
clarkgrove@sbcglobal.net
Survey Response / TMS Wiki Profile / Website
Insurance Accepted: Aetna, Managed Health Network.


Parvez Fatteh, MD (Physician)

Dr. Fatteh is Board Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and subspecialty Board Certified in Pain Medicine. He has been practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1998. His practice philosophy is that of a people-based approach. All treatment is tailored to the individual needs and comfort levels of each patient. He offers TMS treatment for a host of chronic conditions. (Source)

24301 Southland Dr, #411
Hayward, CA 94545
(510) 265-5795
and
115 Ryan Industrial Ct. #208
San Ramon, CA 94583
(925) 552-6363
pfatteh@pain-medicine.net
Website / TMS Wiki Profile
Insurance Accepted: Most PPO, Medicare, Workers Compensation


Katy Wray, LMFT (Therapist)

Katy Wray graduated from the California Institute of Integral Studies in 1989, and has been in practice for over 25 years. She specializes in relationship issues, anxiety, and chronic pain. She says, "Through therapy, a deeper understanding and experience of yourself develops, which opens the door to other choices and possibilities...Sometimes there is a powerful link between pain in the body and emotions. If you have back pain, migraines, gastrointestinal issues, or some other type of chronic pain, psychotherapy may be able to help in ways that medicine has not." (Source)

2506 Clay Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 922-8121
kwraymft@yahoo.com
Website


Santa Cruz area

Bruce Eisendorf, MD (Physician)

Dr Eisendorf MD is a doctor with the Palo Alto Medical Foundation in California. He says:
“I try to understand my patients. I want to know what their experiences have been, what their joys and challenges are, and what's getting in the way of their more full enjoyment of life. My studies with Dr. John Sarno, author of "Healing Back Pain", "The Mindbody Prescription", and other books, has strongly influenced my practice of medicine. The mind and emotions have a profound effect on our physical and mental health and well-being. To better understand this relationship and help patients use the mind to their advantage, I teach classes and offer monthly support groups.” (Source)

2025 Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 458-5524
Website
Insurance Accepted: Cigna, Healthnet, Wellcare, Humana, BCBS, United Health Care, Wellpoint


An image of Practitioner Hasanna Fletcher
Hasanna Fletcher
Hasanna Fletcher, LMFT
(Therapist)

Hasanna received a M.A. in Clinical Psychology in 1992 from JFK University and has been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 1995. She says "For the past fourteen years I've been helping people with a wide range of issues, such as relationship problems of all kinds, depression, grief and loss, anxiety, life transitions, spirituality, parenting, self esteem, and chronic physical pain. I cured my own long-standing back, neck and hip pain 10 years ago after reading Sarno's Healing Back Pain. Unfortunately, I didn't discover TMS in time to avoid two unnecessary shoulder surgeries in both shoulders. It has been so satisfying to help my clients avoid a similar mistake! " (Source 1) (Source 2)

Available via Phone and Skype
2715 Porter Street
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 476-8556
hasanna@baymoon.com
Hasanna has contributed a short article on Choosing a TMS Therapist to the TMS Wiki.
Survey Response / TMS Wiki Profile / Website
Insurance Accepted: Not on any preferred provider lists, but some PPO plans will reimburse at a lesser amount


an image of Emmett Miller
Emmett Miller
Emmett Miller, MD
(Physician)

A traditionally trained physician, Dr. Emmett Miller is one of the founders of modern mind-body medicine. Although Dr. Miller is not trained in the treatment of TMS specifically, his treatment methods have been very helpful to others with TMS, including author Steve Ozanich, as he mentioned in a forum post (listed below). Dr. Miller now practices in California. using different holistic approaches such as guided meditation and deep relaxation as well as cognitive behavioral techniques, his practice focuses on helping people overcome a variety of chronic illnesses and problems, including stress, anxiety, and physical pain. Dr. Miller also provides life coaching sessions. (Source)
Read Steve Ozanich's forum post mentioning Dr. Miller and mindbody medicine.

Available via Phone and Skype
To make an appointment with Dr. Miller, follow the steps listed on this webpage
329 S San Antonio Road, Suite 9
Los Altos, CA 94022

18834 Rock Creek Rd
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 478-1807
(530) 478-0160 fax
Website


Other locations in California

Julie Markowitz, ASW, LMSW (Therapist)

Julie Markowitz is a psychotherapist in San Diego, CA. To introduce herself on her website, she writes, "My treatment approach is looking at a whole person, not just symptoms... I came to this work because I too was suffering. I was in debilitating physical pain (which I now know was TMS) and on a career path I dreaded. While in business school, I found the first good therapist I ever met. Together we healed my physical symptoms and my self-esteem. Through this process, I realized my calling was to help others heal in this same way. Through our work, we will create a relationship based on warmth, care, empathy and safety in a non-judgmental atmosphere. I work psychodynamically which means we will talk about the past to understand your present circumstances and uncover unconscious processes that are holding you back. I look forward to working with you." (Source)

Available via Phone and Skype
Recent Change of Address
2103 South El Camino Real
Suite 206
Oceanside, CA 92054

Phone: 347-443-8695
Survey Response / website


Jim Prussack, MPT (Physical Therapist)

Jim is physical therapist. On his website, he writes, "I have treated many orthopedic and neurological conditions over the years but by far the most challenging and perplexing have been the chronic pain cases. I wanted to understand what made persistent pain different from other types of pain. It really started in 2001 when learning about the biology of pain while completing my degree in Australia. Over the last number of years I’ve continued my education throughout the U.S., Europe and Australia to learn and train with many of today’s leaders in the chronic pain field: Dr. Peter O’Sullivan, Dr. Lorimer Moseley, David Butler, and Dr. Sarno protégés Dr. Schubiner and Georgie Oldfield PT."

Available via Skype
Encinitas, CA (North San Diego County)
jim@thepainpt.com
(760)271-3850

Survey Response / Website


Patti D. Thomas, LCSW (Therapist)

Patti is a licensed clinical social worker. She says of TMS "Treatment consists of identifying and acknowledging the suppressed emotion (anger, sadness, fear, etc.). That's it. It is not necessary to delve into the scenario which triggered those feelings in order to release the physical symptoms. Those symptoms were only there to protect your conscious mind from the feelings. So once the feelings are revealed, the symptoms simply fall away." (Source)

Peaceful Sea Counseling
920 Samoa Blvd, Suite 209
Arcata, CA 95521
(707) 822-0370
Website
Insurance Accepted: Most providers including Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, AARP, Tricare


Additional Practitioner

Ryan Walsh


Colorado

Aimee Aron, MA, NCC (Therapist)

PPDA Practitioner
Aimee Aron attained a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health with a special focus in multicultural counseling from the University of Colorado Denver. Her primary approaches are Multicultural and Existential Humanistic Therapies. These approaches demonstrate respect for and evaluate the individual, the relationships in their lives, the culture with which they identify, and how they make meaning of the experiences and elements of their lives. Value is found in examining the subjects of gender, age, ethnicity, spirituality, socio-economic status, and many other cultural forces in determining how a person has come to be who they are, what they believe about the world, and the troubles they are bringing to therapy. She helped found the Rocky Mountain Stress Check-Up organization, which reaches out to physicians about Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS).

860 Emerson Street #0
Denver, CO 80218
(303) 900-8672
aimee@aimeearon.com
Website


an image of Pam Benison
Pam Benison
Pam Benison, MA
(Therapist)

Pam Benison has been treating people with TMS/PPD for over 18 years. She encountered Dr. Sarno's book, Healing Back Pain, in 1994, used the knowledge he presented to successfully treat her own back pain. Most recently, she has studied with Dr. Howard Schubiner and has incorporated his book, Unlearn Your Pain, when working with her clients. Because of her 32 years in private practice, Pam draws upon many types of therapies and relaxation techniques that eliminate stress and progress one toward satisfaction and growth. Some of these methods are: gestalt psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, insight therapy, positive psychology, couples therapy, various forms of meditation and breath work. Pam received her Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University and her Master's degree from the University of Denver. She is a fellow in the American Psychotherapy Association. She is willing to meet with clients via the phone or Skype.(Source)

Available via Phone and Skype
7950 So. Lincoln St., #100
Littleton, Co. 80122
and
1625 Larimer St., #2704
Denver, Co. 80202
303-797-8137
integratedwellness@hotmail.com
Survey Response / Website


An image of Practitioner Evana Henri
Evana Henri
Evana Henri, PhD
(Therapist)

Dr. Henri has been treating people with Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS) for over 9 years, and during that time has treated close to 200 people with TMS symptoms. She is able to draw upon her own experiences with chronic back pain, which she had for about one year, when she is treating her clientele. Henri uses several different therapy techniques to help her clients including EMDR, Solution-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MBCT), and Brainspotting depending on the situation. Henri uses these multiple techniques to design a unique treatment for her patients. Dr. Henri graduated with a Bachelors in Arts from Stanford University and received her PhD in Clinical/Health psychology from Ohio State University. In addition, Henri completed her internship and Post-doctoral fellowship from UCLA. (Source)

1325 Dry Creek Dr. Suite 101
Longmont, CO 80503
(720) 771-9248
evanahenri@accessyoureverest.com
TMS Wiki Profile / Survey Response / Website
Insurance Accepted: Aetna, United Behavioral Health, Humana, Mental Health Network, Rocky Mountain Health Plans, and Anthem/BCBS


Mileah L. Koudele, LCSW (Therapist)

2696 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 200
Denver, CO 80222
(303) 775-3458


Catherine Tilford, MA, NCC(Therapist)

PPDA Practitioner
Catherine Tilford earned a Master's of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the University of Colorado in Denver and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Colorado Mesa University. In 2011, she was trained by the PPDA to provide Stress Check-Ups and is a founding member of the Rocky Mountain Stress Check-Up Network. Through counseling, Catherine supports personal growth by helping individuals move forward with self-awareness and strength. She provides a safe place in which you can explore your experiences and the problem or painful emotions that are standing in your way of living a personally meaningful and fulfilling life.

Available via Skype 2010 W 120th Avenue
Suite 100
Denver, CO 80234
(303)720-9424
catherine@embracestrengthcounseling.com
Website


Connecticut

Jennifer Denkin, PhD (Therapist)

Dr. Denkin has seen over 500 patients with PPD/TMS symptoms over a nine year span. She continues to receive education and training on treating PPD. Her speciality is in mind-body work, chronic pain, somatic disorders, anxiety, diet and nutrition to help others. In addition she does treat patients via skype.

Available via Phone and Skype
25 Lewis Street
Suite 202
Greenwich, CT  06830
and
51 Locust Avenue
Suite 302 A
New Canaan, CT  06840
jdenkin@denkinassociates.com
Survey Response


Leslie Reis, LCSW (Therapist)

75 Kings Highway Cutoff
Fairfield, CT 06824
(203) 333-1133


Dario M Zagar, MD (Physician)

Dr Zagar is the Director, Neuropsychology Services at The Associated Neurologists of Southern Connecticut, P.C. They offer Mind-Body Medicine, which “typically focuses on interventions believed to promote health and wellness such as Yoga, Relaxation, Biofeedback, Clinical Hypnosis, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies. The Mind-Body Medicine perspective views illness as an opportunity for personal growth and healthcare providers are guides in this transformative process. Frequently, Mind-Body Medicine focuses on the impact of stress and the development of illness and the worsening of symptoms such as pain.” (Source)

Associated Neurologists of Southern Connecticut
75 Kings Highway Cutoff
Fairfield, CT 06824
(203) 333-1133
Website
Insurance Accepted: Aetna, Cigna, Healthnet, Medicaid, Medicare, BCBS, United Health Care, Wellpoint


Delaware

Nicole Sachs, LCSW (Therapist)

Nicole Sachs is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas, and has been treating people with TMS for over 10 years. During that time she has seen over 100 clients with TMS. Sachs is the author of the book, The Meaning of Truth, which describes her practice and treatment methods. She is also a recovered TMS patient herself, and a previous member of Dr. Sarno's Alumni Panels, where she would tell Dr. Sarno's new patients about her own experience with TMS. In 2013, the PTPN recorded an interview with Nicole Sachs, where she again described her battle with chronic pain, and her success with the TMS approach.

Available via Phone
meaningoftruth@gmail.com
Website
Survey Response / Profile Page / Forum Threads
Nicole Sachs's Recovery Story (video)


District of Columbia

Harold Goodman, DO (Physician)

Listed in Maryland


Andrea Leonard-Segal, MD (Physician)

Dr. Leonard-Segal graduated with honors from the George Washington University Medical School and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. She has practiced medicine since 1982 and has devoted the past twenty years to helping patients overcome back and neck pain, fibromyalgia, chronic tendon complaints and similar conditions. She emphasizes the mind-body connection and is one of a handful of physicians nationally who uses an approach that closely parallels the pioneering work of John E. Sarno, MD at the New York University Medical Center and the Rusk Institute. She brings her interest and expertise in mind-body medicine to the Center for Integrative Medicine. (Source1, Source2)

George Washington University Center for Integrative Medicine
908 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20037
(202) 833-5055
(202) 833-5755 fax
Website
Contributed the article, "A Rheumatologist's Experience with Psychosomatic Disorders," in The Divided Mind, by Dr. John Sarno. 2006.
Insurance Accepted: none


Jon Frederickson, MSW (ISTDP Therapist)

3000 Conn. Ave. N.W. #400
Washington, D.C. 20008
202-986-4575
Survey Response


Florida

Scott Brady, MD (Physician)

Dr. Brady is no longer accepting new patients. (Source)
Dr Brady is the founder and Director of the Brady Institute for Health at Florida Hospital in Celebration, Florida. Dr. Brady has practiced Emergency Medicine and Urgent Care Medicine throughout Central Florida for over fifteen years and is board certified in Internal Medicine. He is the Administrator and Senior Medical Director of Florida Hospital's sixteen Centra Care urgent care clinics. (Source)

With William Proctor, he has written a book entitled Pain Free for Life. In it, Dr. Brady describes how he overcame his own pain:

A life-changing suggestion came from an unlikely medical source--my mother--who called one night while I was lying on the sofa nursing my bad back.

"Turn on your TV!" she said. "John Stossel is interviewing Dr. John Sarno,who says he can cure back pain like yours." the Stossel interview of Dr. Sarno can be viewed for free here.

I wasn't optimistic ... But the more he talked, the more I listened--and the more intrigued I became.
Following the show, I remembered that a friend had given me one of Sarno's books, and after a little rummaging around, I managed to find it. ... His ideas set me on a journey of healing that eventually cured my pain, and led me to where I am today. (p. 33)

On page 36 he continues on to describe how he decided to break with his colleagues and visit Dr. Sarno at the Rusk institute. There, he listened to Dr. Sarno "deliver a number of lectures" and observed "him as he saw patients for several days."

Dr. Brady refers to TMS as Autonomic Overload Syndrome (AOS), but the explanation that he gives for AOS is fundamentally the same explanation that Dr. Sarno gives for TMS.
(Scott Brady. Pain Free for Life. New York: Hachette Book Group. 2006.)

The Brady Institute for Health
P.O. Box 2982
Windermere, FL 34786
(407) 876-1888
DrBrady@BradyInstitute.com
Website


Ilene Donin, PhD (Therapist)

Ilene Donin is a psychologist located in Southern Florida. To introduce herself, she writes, "I have been a psychologist for over 30 years, trained by Dr. John Sarno, treating individuals with psychophysiologic disorders and those with cognitive disorders resulting from TBI’s Up until 2018 my practice was located in New York City where I maintained ongoing relationships with other TMS therapists. In fact, I still do. I moved to coral Gables where I have maintained a clinical relationship with many of my New York clients. In addition, I have been working with Floridians who have TMS diagnoses. While much of my work is with those carrying the TMS diagnosis, I see individuals with the range of mood disorders and those undergoing stressful life transitions and associated emotional reactions. I’m addition to my clinical work, I taught as an adjunct professor at Fordham university for 6 years." (Source)

Available via Phone, Skype and Facetime
357 Almeria Avenue. Suite 903
Coral Gables, Florida 33134
Phone: 914-450-9379
idonin@aol.com
Survey Response


Georgia

David-Lipsig, MD (Physician)

Twelve Piedmont Center, Suite 410
3495 Piedmont Road
Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 495-5900
(404) 495-5901 fax
lipsig@atlantapsychiatry.com
Website


Leonard J. Weiss, MD (Physician)

Board Certified in Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatry, Internal Medicine and Nutrition
3188 Atlanta Road
Smyrna, GA 30080
(770) 319-6000
Insurance Accepted: US Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana HMO, Humana PPO, Blue Choice Senior, Cigna HMO, Cigna PPO, One Health Plan of Georgia, Inc HMO / POS / Choice/ PPO


Idaho

Deric J. Ravsten, DO (Physician)

Pocatello, Idaho
208 234-1099


Illinois

Peter R. Brown, PsyD, DAAPM, FABMP (Therapist)

Pain Psychologist
Noninvasive Healthcare Institute, Ltd
9601 West 165th Street, Suite 6
Orland Park, IL 60467
drsatbrownstone@yahoo.com
(708) 646-8070


An image of Practitioner John Stracks
John Stracks
John Stracks, MD
(Physician)

Dr. Stracks believes that the mind and body are intimately connected and that almost all disease processes involve an interplay between the two. His training in integrative medicine has taught him that all treatment plans must include not only a mind and body component but a social and spiritual component as well. In addition, Dr. Stracks believes that the most powerful interventions involve changes in nutrition, activity level, and other lifestyle areas, and he works to partner with patients to effect these changes. Dr. Stracks believes that many conditions can be controlled or even reversed with mind-body techniques, lifestyle changes, and other integrative therapies, and he likes working with patients and their primary physicians to safely reduce medication use whenever possible. (Source)

John Stracks, MD, LLC
1300 West Belmont Avenue, Suite 217
Chicago, IL 60657

666 Dundee Road, Suite 1504
Northbrook, IL 60062

312-489-8890
info@drstracks.com
Co-host of first TMS conference.
Survey Response / Q&A Answers / Website
Dr. Stracks Is out-of-network for all insurance. He requests payment at the time of the visit and provides a superbill to submit to insurance.


Maine

Vincent P. Herzog, DO (Physician)

Dr Herzog has extensive training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and has managed thousands of impairments and disabilities from common soft tissue injuries to spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, joint replacement, amputation and stroke. He now focuses on outpatient musculoskeletal and neurologic conditions, frequently occupational in nature. He has delivered such care to patients throughout Maine since 1993.

Dr. Herzog is a third-generation Osteopathic (D.O.) physician, who remains true to the holistic and natural principles of Osteopathy. Additionally, he has had extensive training in the Allopathic (M.D.) system and is M.D. Board Certified in the specialties of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and also Electrodiagnostic Medicine. He says, "Today, there are many options available to people for the treatment of medical conditions. While interventional approaches are occasionally appropriate, often times minimally invasive techniques can result in fewer risks and better long-term functional outcomes. We believe in a proactive approach to healthcare, which empowers patients to manage their wellness, and avoid future functional impairments." (Source)

Maine Rehabilitative Healthcare
306 US Route 1
Unite B South
Scarborough, ME 04074
(207) 883-3434
(207) 883-1424 fax
Website
Insurance Accepted: Most major providers including Medicare, Anthem, Aetna, Harvard Pilgrim, and United Healthcare


Maryland

An image of Practitioner Barbara Kline
Barbara Kline
Barbara A. Kline, LCSW-C
(Therapist)

Barbara Kline has retired from practicing psychotherapy. Her listing here is preserved for the benefit of anyone in our community who would like to know about her past practice.

Barbara Kline is a licensed, certified, clinical social worker (LCSW-C) in the state of Maryland. She has a keen interest in mind/body medicine and specializes in working with clients suffering from chronic (non-cancerous) pain syndromes including back, neck, & shoulder pain; fibromyalgia, and other musculoskeletal disorders. She says "Having had a severe case of TMS myself, I'm pretty much an expert as I researched everything possible on the subject and was cured using Dr. Sarno's method. I also have had extensive coursework in the psychology of TMS. I attended the first TMS conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan and have since taken trainings in Los Angeles, NYC, and Washington D.C. I also take advantage of trainings offered through the TMS Wiki." (Source)

Available via Phone
240-217-6645
klinebarb@yahoo.com
Insurance accepted: None
Survey Response / Q&A Answers / TMS Wiki Profile / Website / When Stress Hurts / Article about Barbara Kline


Harold Goodman, DO (Physician)

Dr. Goodman's office is ten minutes from Washington, DC. The red line metro stops seven minutes from his office.

8609 Second Ave., Suite 405-B
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
301-565-2494
hrpharold@gmail.com
Survey Response / Website
Dr. Goodman's TMS Story


Massachusetts

An image of practitioner Alexander Angelov
Alexander Angelov, MD

Alexander Angelov, MD (Physician)
Dr Angelov works as a family doctor at NE Medical Practice in Swampscott, MA.
He says "Since the human body is a self-healing system, our approach is not to treat or fight disease, but, rather, to seek to help the individual rebuild his or her health by balancing the inner-ecology and mental-emotional status of the body by properly evaluating and identifying what brought the patient to their current particular state. We are not interested in diagnosing, as the word is commonly used, or changing your current diagnosis. Our goal is to get you out of your discomfort or disease. Some of the conditions are psychosomatic in nature. It is very difficult to believe, considering all of the propaganda concerning the mechanical approach to conventional medicine. Emotions can create pain, discomfort, heartburn, etc. It has been proven by time that this is a reality. Do you have a psychosomatic condition? We will help you to find and heal it rather than cope with it." (Source)

990 Humphrey Street
Swampscott, MA 01907
781-593-8775
angelkabb@gmail.com
Website
Insurance Accepted: Aetna, Cigna, MassHealth, Medicare, Medicaid, BCBS, United Health, Neighborhood Health, Tufts, Harvard Pilgrim, Optum, BMC


Deborah Conley, LICSW

Retired.


Allan F. Giesen, DO (Physician)

Dr. Giesen is a Stanford University trained, third generation physician who received his osteopathic medical training from the University of New England near Kennebunkport, Maine. Dr. Giesen practices biodynamic osteopathy in the cranial field which is a "hands on" holistic approach that capitalizes on the intrinsic self-healing properties of the mind, body, and spirit of an individual as that person is nourished and supported within the greater health of their surroundings. Biodynamic osteopathy is a form of treatment which can be helpful for a variety of ailments including chronic debilitating injuries, specific injuries to the spine, head or neck, headaches, diffuse back pain, gastrointestinal problems, autoimmune illnesses, irritable or anxious moods, and also for anyone who is interested in maximizing their wellness. The healing in biodynamic osteopathy is provided by the patient themselves with Dr. Giesen facilitating an increased awareness and contact with the "health within".(Source)

Wellness Center for the Peace Abbey
64 Exchange Street
Millis, MA 02054
longtide@verizon.net
Website


Douglas R. Johnson, MD (Physician)

Charlton Hospital
Physical Medicine and Rehab
363 Highland Ave.
Fall River, MA 02720
(508) 679-7156
Insurance Accepted: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Independent Blue Cross, Tufts Health Plans, United Health Care


Additional Massachusetts Practitioner

Michele Lowenthal, MS


Eugenio Martinez, MD (Physician)

In a forum post, co-founder of the Boston TMS support group, Veronica, described her appointment with Dr. Martinez. Among other things, she wrote, "I have a TMS doctor and he's great! ... My TMS doctor, Dr. Martinez, is a physiatrist who treats a lot of conditions, not just TMS, so I knew if I had something else besides TMS he would be able to tell me. ... Our appointment was pretty much like what Sarno describes in his books--Dr. M. spent about 1 1/2 hours with me talking about TMS, personality traits, what was going on in my life, childhood, etc. and then also pressing on some of the points Sarno describes that are usually sensitive in people with TMS ... It reassured me to hear that the conditions I had all fell under TMS, and to hear that from a doctor that treats TMS and also other conditions. Dr. Martinez told me to call if I had any different symptoms pop up. That did happen a few times and we would usually just talk about it on the phone and he'd tell me it sounded like more TMS and just to come in if it didn't improve or got worse. To read more, click here.

Boston, Massachusetts
617 754-5246
781 444-5080
emartine@caregroup.harvard.edu
or
Pro Sports Orthopedics
200 Providence Highway
Dedham, MA 02026
emartine@caregroup.harvard.edu
(781) 326-7108
(781) 326-5839 Fax


Jay Rosenfeld, MD (Physician)

Rehabilitation Hospital of the Cape and Islands
311 Service Road
East Sandwich, MA 02537
(508) 833-4160
(508) 833-4195 fax
Website
Insurance Accepted: Most major providers including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare (including First Seniority®), Tufts Health Plan (including Tufts Medicare Preferred), Medicaid, CHAMPUS and other military insurance plans


Ronald D. Siegel, PsyD (Therapist)

Dr Siegel is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School where he has taught for the past 25 years. In 1988, he was disabled by back pain. His personal experience led him to develop the treatments described in his book. He is co-author of "Backsense:: A Revolutionary Approach to Halting the Cycle of Chronic Back Pain." He is also coeditor of Mindfulness and Psychotherapy (Guilford, 2005) and maintains a private practice in Lincoln, Massachusetts specializing in the treatment of chronic pain. He says "This new approach to chronic back pain is based on the emerging scientific consensus that most chronic back pain is caused by stress, fear, muscle tension, and inactivity, rather than by damaged or defective spinal structures. Despite being stress-related, the pain is certainly not imagined or "all in your head." We know that it is completely real. Muscle tension and spasms can cause intense pain. (Source 1) (Source 2)

20 Long Meadow Road
Lincoln, MA 01773
Website
(781) 259-3434
Main Wiki Page on Ronald Siegel


Michigan

An image of Practitioner Audrey Berdeski
Audrey Berdeski
Audrey Berdeski, DC, LLPC
(Therapist)

Audrey is a doctor of chiropractor and licensed professional counselor. She said, "as I learned more psychodynamic technique, and understood how the unconscious mind controls everything we do, I decided to incorporate this work into my practice, to be able to help those who can accept the diagnosis and are willing to become pain free. Because I have some strong relationships with patients I have been seeing for years, many of them are now reading Dr. Sarno's books and preparing for the workshops I'm going to be doing soon. The counseling degree helped me combine the psychological component to the physical pain, and this work feels like a natural fit for both of my careers." (Source)

Corrective Chiropractic
4116 Fifteen Mile Rd
Sterling Heights, MI 48310
(586)795-8989
drberdeski@cyberspine.com
TMS Wiki Profile / Survey Response / Q&A Answers / Website / Wiki Compliments
Miracles of Mindbody Medicine article
Insurance Accepted: BCBS, Medicare, and most PPO's.


An image of Practitioner Roger Gietzen
Roger Gietzen
Roger Gietzen, MD
(Physician)

Dr. Roger Gietzen is a neurologist by training and also runs a holistic clinic in Metamora, MI. He attended the LA Mind-Body Conference for TMS practitioners and shadowed TMS physician and author Howard Schubiner, MD. In his survey he writes, “Early in my mission to integrate mind body principles into my conventional medical practice, I discovered the work of Dr. Sarno. Because of my frustration trying to treat pain disorders using Xray guided steroid injections and other conventional treatments, I immediately resonated with Dr. Sarno [who became] an early inspiration for me.” Dr. Gietzen has also written the e-book Mind Body Spirit Principles and Practices, a TMS healing resource combining spirituality with mindbody principles. (Source)

Available via Phone and Skype
3630 B Thornville Rd
Metamora, MI, 48455
(586) 838-0404
doctor.roger@healthy-mind-body.com
Survey Response / Website / E-Book


An image of Practitioner Howard Schubiner
Howard Schubiner
Howard Schubiner, MD
(Physician)

Dr. Howard Schubiner is board-certified in pediatrics, adolescent medicine, and internal medicine. He was a full Professor at Wayne State University for 18 years and now works at Providence Hospital in Southfield, MI, where he directs the the Mind Body Medicine Program that he founded. This program uses cutting edge research and both meditative and cutting edge psychological techniques to treat individuals who suffer from TMS. (Source) He says "Many of us suffer needlessly from pain diagnosed as migraines, tension headaches, fibromyalgia, or chronic neck, back, abdominal, and pelvic pain, when the real cause is Mind Body Syndrome." His new book Unlearn Your Pain2nd Annual TMS Conference in March 2010. (Source)

Providence Hospital
Department of Internal Medicine
16001 W. Nine Mile Rd.
Southfield, MI 48075
248 849-4728
248 543-5517
hschubiner@gmail.com
Co-host of first TMS conference.
TMS Wiki Profile / Survey Response / Q&A Answers / Howard Schubiner's Blog Posts / TMS Recovery Program / Website
Main Wiki Page About Howard Schubiner
Board member of the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association (PPDA)
Insurance Accepted: Most government and private carriers was released in early 2010.

Testimonials
Head2Toe said: "I also found Dr Schubiner to be an extremely generous and compassionate man. He also gave me encouragement and hope which is something I will never forget. The way I see it, he is totally dedicated to helping people heal their pain."


Minnesota

Douglas Hoffman, MD (Physician)

SMDC Sports Medicine and Orthopedics
400 East 3rd Street
Duluth, MN 55805
218 722-8364
218 786-3232
Main Wiki page on Douglas Hoffman
Contributed the article, "Structural Pain or Psychosomatic Pain," in The Divided Mind by Dr. John Sarno. 2006.


New Hampshire

An image of physician Marc Sopher
Marc Sopher
Marc Sopher, MD
(Physician)

Marc Sopher, M.D., a family physician in New Hampshire, trained with Dr. John Sarno. He is a member of the American Academy of Family Practice and is board certified through the American Board of Family Practice. In addition to his family practice in Exeter, he serves as medical director of the Synergy Health and Fitness Center in Exeter, New Hampshire. From 1993 to 2003, Dr. Sopher also provided medical care to the students of Phillips Exeter Academy. He has also been on the editorial board of the American College of Sports Medicine's Health and Fitness Journal. Dr. Sopher diagnoses and treats patients using the theories and techniques of Dr. Sarno, a pioneer in the recognition and treatment of mindbody disorders. He was a contributing author on The Divided Mind. (Source)

Exeter, NH 03833
mdsophermd@comcast.net
Main Wiki Page About Dr. Sopher / Website
Contributed the article, "A Family Doctor's Experience with Mind Body Medicine," in The Divided Mind, by Dr. John Sarno. 2006.


New Jersey

An image of psychologist Jeffrey Axelbank
Jeffrey Axelbank
Jeffrey H. Axelbank, PsyD
(Therapist)

Jeffrey Axelbank is a psychologist in Highland Park, New Jersey, with a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. He has been in practice for 17 years, and began treating patients with TMS about ten years ago. He writes, "As a psychologist, I know that sometimes people with TMS need additional help identifying the underlying issues that are driving their TMS pain. Or even if they have identified the issues, getting relief from the pain may take more help in working with those issues. I have treated many people with TMS and a variety of manifestations (for example, neck and back pain, bursitis, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia). Working with me can help to both come to terms with some of the underlying issues, as well as help develop strategies for using this knowledge to reduce your pain and discomfort, and to resume a more normal life." Dr. Axelbank has also suffered from TMS. (Source)

Available via Phone
727 Raritan Avenue
Highland Park, NJ 08904
Tel: (732) 572-8848
dr.jeff@jeffreyaxelbankpsyd.com
Website / Survey Response


Margaret Chan, PhD (Therapist)

Dr. Margaret Chan is a licensed psychologist in both New Jersey and New York with clinical experience in trauma work, developmental and health psychology since 2002. She has a joint appointment as volunteer Clinical Assistant Professor at Rutgers University and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School’s Department of Psychiatry and Family Medicine. She has presented internationally and nationally in the areas of TMS, alexithymia, trauma, short-term psychodynamic therapy and resilience.

Dr. Chan frequently collaborates with Dr. Paul Gwozdz to help TMS patients. On Dr. Gwozdz's website, he writes, "I am also pleased to announce that a PhD clinical psychologist has now joined me in treating TMS patients. Dr. Margaret Chan generally sees patients in her office but is also available remotely for out-of-state and international patients. She is a short-term psychodynamic psychologist with an expertise in anger and remains intent on helping the patient to become pain free as rapidly as possible. She has been working with TMS patients since 2010 and has shown herself to be extremely effective in treating TMS patients. She has also trained under Dr. Sarno's primary psychotherapist Dr. Arlene Feinblatt."

103 Maple Ave, Suite 101
Red Bank, NJ 07701
(732) 903-4791
Website


An image of Practitioner Bob Evans
Bob Evans
Robert Paul Evans PhD
(Therapist)

Available via Phone
163 Engle Street
Englewood, New Jersey, 07631
201-569-3328
TMS Wiki Profile
Survey Response
Dr. Evans has contributed a book review of Waking the Tiger to the wiki.


Paul Gwozdz, MD (Physician)

Dr. Gwozdz is a board certified family physician in New Jersey who was cured of back pain by Dr. Sarno. He changed career paths at age 40, transitioning from working as an engineer and engineering manager to starting medical school. After completing his family practice residency in 2000, Dr. Gwozdz went to NYU to train under Dr. Sarno. He now operates a family practice in New Jersey that specializes in the treatment of TMS. In helping his patients, Dr. Gwozdz follows Dr. Sarno's techniques in how he screens and diagnoses his patients, and how he structures their treatment. He also holds lectures to educate his patients about TMS. These are generally held every five weeks on Mondays at 6:00 PM (EST). (Source)

Dr. Gwozdz also spoke at the first TMS conference in Ann Arbor. He frequently refers TMS patients to TMS psychologist Margaret Chan, PhD, listed above.

Board Certified in Family Practice
710 Easton Avenue Suite 1A
Somerset, NJ 08873
(732) 545-4100
(732) 545-4102 fax
Website
Survey Response
Upcoming Lectures
Insurance Accepted: All PPO plans, Aetna-all products, Amerihealth, Anthem Health Network, Cigna, Consumer Health Network, Horizon-all products expect their medicaid, Medicare, Oxford Health plans, ppoNEXT, Private Health Care Systems, Qualcare, Simplecare


An image of Practitioner Wendy Newman
Wendy Newman
Wendy Newman, LCSW
(Therapist)

Wendy Newman is a therapist based in Montclair, New Jersey. She has attended the 2012 conference for TMS professionals as well as master classes to further her education and training as a TMS therapist. In describing herself and her approach, she writes, “I utilize techniques drawn from short-term dynamic, psychoanalytic and mindfulness-based approaches in order to help my clients make sense of their symptoms and discover more adaptive ways to express their authentic selves.” Wendy also has a personal connection to TMS, as her husband was a patient of Dr. John Sarno's. Wendy herself has also experienced TMS in a variety of symptoms. (Source)

Available via Skype for New Jersey residents
103 Park St., Building B
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 567-1668
Insurance Accepted: Medicare
Survey Response / Website


Steven Peskin, MD (Physician)

277 George St
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 235-6700
Insurance Accepted: HMO, Medicaid, NJ Family Care


Thomas Nordstrom, MD (Physician)

Dr. Thomas Nordstrom has been a personal patient of Dr. John Sarno, using Sarno's methods for his own pain. He says “I also incorporate it [the TMS approach] in my practice with success in a high percentage of patients. It's real and works.” He has been helping people resume their normal, active lives with extensive medical knowledge and well-honed surgical skill. Dr. Nordstrom is board-certified by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and runs The Center for Orthopedic Care in New Jersey. (Source)

The Center for Orthopedic Care
215 Union Avenue, Suite B
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
(908) 685-8500
(908) 685-8009 fax
TMS Wiki Profile / Survey Response / Website
Insurance Accepted: All including Aetna, Cigna, Medicaid, Medicare, WellCare, Humana, BCBS, United Health Care, Unicare, Wellpoint


New York

An image of Practitioner Frances Sommer Anderson
Frances Sommer Anderson
Frances Sommer Anderson, PhD
(Therapist)

Dr. Anderson is a licensed psychologist and holds a Certificate of Specialization in Psychoanalysis from the New York University Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis. She has expertise in treating people with medical illness, physical disability, and trauma. Since 1979, she has specialized in treating back pain and other stress-related physical symptoms, using an approach that integrates contemporary psychoanalytic theory, research in the neuroscience of emotional and cognitive processing, and the neurobiology of attachment, pain and trauma. She is co-author of Pathways to Pain Relief, a book about how to recover from TMS. Dr. Anderson was a speaker at the 2nd Annual TMS Conference in March 2010. (Source)

Available via Skype and FaceTime
140 East 40th Street #12A
New York, NY 10016
(212) 661-7588
fanderson@pathwaystopainrelief.com
Website / Curriculum Vitae
Main Wiki Page About Frances Sommer Anderson
Board Member of the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association (PPDA)


Jay Dennett, MD (Physician)

Dermatologist

10 East 85th Street, Suite 1A
New York, NY 10028
(212) 545-8506


Additional Practitioner

Lorraine Faehndrich


Sharon Farber, PhD (Therapist)

Sharon Farber is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the states of New York and Connecticut. She also has a PhD in Clinical Social Work from New York University School of Social Work. Dr. Farber has been seeing TMS/PPD patients for over 34 years, during which time she has seen 60 TMS/PPD patients. She has also written a book about psychosomatic issues called When the Body Is the Target: Self-Ham, Pain, and Traumatic Attachments. (Source)

Available via Phone
142 Edgars Lane
Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706
(914) 478-1924
Sharonkfarber@gmail.com
Website
Wiki Profile / Survey Response Form
Insurance Accepted: AETNA, HIP, GHI, Emblem Health Services, POMCO, SWSCHP, Beech Street.


An image of Practitioner Arlene Feinblatt
Arlene Feinblatt
Arlene Feinblatt, PhD
(Therapist)

Arlene Feinblatt is Clinical Assistant Professor in the New York University School of Medicine, and was on the faculty of the New York Center for Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy and the Rusk Institute. She is now in private practice, and has been approved by Dr. John Sarno to treat patients with TMS since 1973. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, the New York State Psychological Association and the American Psychosomatic Society.

In the Divided Mind, Sarno says, “Arlene Feinblatt, Ph.D. has been my colleague and coworker for over thirty years. By dint of circumstance, she is a pioneer in the development of psychotherapy for psychosomatic disorders. Since no one in the field of psychology or psychiatry has had extensive experience with the musculoskeletal pain of psychosomatic origin, and since as a consequence there is no guiding literature on the subject, and in view of the fact that that this ailment represents a public health problem of major proportions, it was essential to develop appropriate psychotherapy for these patients. Dr. Feinblatt has done that job admirably. She has also trained a large cadre of therapists over the years.” (Sarno, John. The Divided Mind. HarperCollins: New York, 2006. pgs 150-151)

Available via Phone
(212) 947-7111, Ext. 122
afphd@arlenefeinblatt.com
TMS Wiki User Page / Survey Response / Website


Kirsten Fliegler, PsyD (Therapist)

Dr. Fliegler attended Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology where she earned a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology degree. She began working with Dr. John Sarno in 1995 and continued to treat patients at the NYU Medical Center through 2003 when she began her own private practice. During her time at the NYU Medical Center Dr. Fliegler also worked alongside TMS/PPD therapist Arlene Feinblatt. In treating her patients Dr. Fliegler seeks to "help patients increase their awareness of the mechanisms by which they may distance themselves from their feelings." (Source)

Available via Phone and Skype

925 Park Avenue
Suite 1-B
New York, NY 10028
(212) 327-1929
drkfliegler@nyc.rr.com
Survey Response


Samuel Mann, MD (Physician)

Dr. Mann is a Professor of Clinical Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. He is also an Attending Physician at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. He received his MD from State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. His speciality is hypertension which he treats based on its cause of genetics and lifestyle. His areas of research include the treatment of hypertension, renovascular hypertension, mind-body link, particularly as related to repressed emotions. He has written a multiple publications including the book Healing Hypertension: A Revolutionary New Approach, which is about the mind/body connection. (Source)

Weill Cornell
450 East 69th St.
New York, NY, 10021
(212) 746-2200
(212) 746-8215 fax
sjmann@med.cornell.edu
Website
Contributed the article, "Hypertension and the Mindbody Connection: A New Paradigm," to The Divided Mind by Dr. John Sarno.
Insurance Accepted: AETNA, Affinity, CIGNA, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Health Net, Health Plus, Medicare, Neighborhood Health Providers, Oxford Freedom, Oxford Liberty, Rockefeller University, United Health Care, Weill Cornell-AETNA


Lisa Morphopoulos, LCSW (Therapist)

Lisa is a psychotherapist who works with individuals, couples and groups of all ages. Having recovered from TMS symptoms herself, she understands the despair and frustration that goes along with the syndrome. She says "Finding relief and being pain-free is liberating and possible. Ultimately, learning to cope with TMS will also improve the relationship that you have with yourself." (Source)

Available via Phone

286 Fifth Avenue, Suite 7K (30-31)
New York, NY 10001
(212)642-5424
(646)285-2476
TMS Wiki Profile / Survey Response
Insurance Accepted: out of network


Frank Padrone, PhD(Therapist)

Frank Padrone was the associate director of the psychology department and director of inpatient psychological services at Rusk Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center starting in 1983. He has worked with Dr. Sarno for over 30 years and treated many of his patients. He is a clinical associate professor at New York University School of Medicine, and received a Certificate of Specialization in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis from New York University’s Post Doctoral Program. Currently he has a private practice in New York. He has been published widely on adjustment to disability, the emotional trauma of spinal cord injury, family adjustment to disability, and sexuality and disability. His psychotherapuetic interests lie in the treatment of psychophysiologic disorders, sexual functioning and physical disability, and the development of holistic approaches to treatment (Source).

1025 Northern Blvd
Roslyn, NY 11576
(516) 627-0942
fpadronephd@aol.com


Dan Ratner, PsyD (Therapist)

A former TMS sufferer himself, Dr. Ratner is an experienced psychologist specializing in the treatment of TMS patients. Dr. Ratner is currently a supervisee of TMS therapist and author Eric Sherman, PsyD and also has a professional relationship with Ira Rashbaum, MD. In describing himself, Dr. Ratner writes, “I work to help patients gain flexibility in their emotional worlds and self-concept and have found that this is a good fit with thinking about TMS as well. I work collaboratively with patients, often in a more relaxed manner, using humor, warmth, and openness to build strong connections.” (Source)

Available via Phone
50 Lexington Ave., LL2
Professional Suites
New York, NY 10010
(347) 677-3406
dgratner@yahoo.com
Survey Response


Ira Rashbaum, MD (Physician)

Dr Rashbaum is a Clinical Professor of medicine at the New York University School of Medicine and an attending physiatrist at the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine in New York City. He has treated numerous patients with TMS since 1993. He was a former student of Dr Sarno's and was a contributing author to Dr Sarno's The Divided Mind. (Source)

Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine
400 East 34th Street
New York, NY 10016
(212) 263-6477
(212) 263-7874 fax
Ira.Rashbaum@nyumc.org
Main Wiki Page About Ira Rashbaum
Survey Response / Website
Contributed the article, "My Experience with Tension Myositis Syndrome" to The Divided Mind, by Dr. John Sarno. 2006.
Insurance Accepted: Oxford, United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, HIP, HealthNet, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield
GailNYC recounts a visit with Dr. Rashbaum in a forum thread


An image of retired practitioner John Sarno
John Sarno
Image from www.johnesarnomd.com
John Sarno, MD
(Physician)

Dr. Sarno passed away in June, 2017. His New York Time obituary can be read here. His listing here is preserved as a tribute. Please see our project, www.thankyoudrsarno.org for additional tributes from our community.

Dr. John Sarno is an American physician and former professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at New York University Medical Center, and is the original proponent of TMS theory. Dr. Sarno earned his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1950, and in 1965 joined the staff at the Howard A. Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at New York University Medical Center, where he worked up until he retired in April 2012 (source). It was while he was at the Rusk Institute that Dr. Sarno discovered TMS.

Since the 1970s and through his retirement in April 2012, Dr. Sarno claims to have treated over 11,000 patients. Of these 11,000, he estimates that he has cured over 90%. He is the bestselling author of four books on TMS and the mindbody connection: Mind Over Back Pain, Healing Back Pain, The Mindbody Prescription, and The Divided Mind. With the exception of Mind Over Back Pain, all of Dr. Sarno's books are available in at least four different languages (source). Dr. Sarno has has trained many physicians and therapists on how to diagnose and treat patients with TMS, including Dr. Frances Sommer Anderson, Dr. Arlene Feinblatt, Dr. Ira Rashbaum, and Dr. Peter Zafirides.

Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine
400 East 34th Street
New York, NY 10016
John.Sarno@nyumc.org
Official Website / NYU Langone Medical Center Profile
Main Wiki Page About John E. Sarno


An image of Practitioner Eric Sherman
Eric Sherman
Eric Sherman, PsyD
(Therapist

Dr. Eric Sherman is a licensed psychologist practicing in New York City. He completed his clinical internship at The Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine of New York University Langone Medical Center and served on the staff of Rusk's Psychophysiological Pain Program. Dr. Sherman currently has a full-time private practice treating adults in psychoanalysis and individual psychotherapy. While on staff at The Rusk Institute, he trained psychology interns in the evaluation and treatment of psychophysiological pain disorders. He is co-author of Pathways to Pain Relief: Treating TMS pain in which he presents clinical case material to illustrate how musculoskeletal pain and other psychophysiological disorders can originate from psychological experiences as a means to protect an individual from unbearable emotional distress. Eric Sherman was a speaker at the 2nd Annual TMS Conference in March 2010. He gave two presentations entitled, "The Psychology of Mind-Bod Disorders," and "A Psychodynamic Model for Resolving Physical Pain, Based on the Work of Dr. John Sarno." (Source 1, Source 2)

Available via Phone
19 West 34th Street, Suite 13
New York, NY, 10001
(212) 947-7111
(212) 239-0948 fax
esherman@pathwaystopainrelief.com
TMS Wiki Profile / Survey Response / Q&A Answers / Website
Main Wiki Page About Eric Sherman
Board member of the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association (PPDA) Insurance Accepted: None


Daniel Schidlowsky, LCSW (Therapist)

To introduce himself in his TMS Therapist Survey Response, Daniel writes, "I am a therapist in NYC and a former patient of Dr. Sarno’s. It has been a dream of mine since beginning my own healing journey to help others heal from these symptoms. My own healing journey, along with my work as a therapist, has led me to exploring various treatment modalities including CBT, mindfulness, and Somatic Experiencing. I have a particular interest in how dissociation of varying degrees relates to the development of psychosomatic symptoms. I am so blessed to be in a position to help others on their journey of healing. I am based in New York City and am happy to work with people outside of NYC through Skype or other online platforms."

Available via Skype
Daniel Schidlowsky LCSW
917-563-4430
Danielschidlowskylcsw@gmail.com
Psychology Today listing
TMS Therapist Survey Response


Roy Stern Seidenberg, MD (Physician)

A dermatologist who has worked with Dr. Sarno.
See also this article from the Dermatology Times:
“Because the mind can initiate physical symptoms of dermatologic disease, an expert says that providing lasting relief could require dermatologists to look beyond the symptoms at hand and addressing a patient's underlying psyche or biopsychosocial issues. ‘In the United States, the concept of psychosomatic medicine is misunderstood and underappreciated,’ says Roy Stern Seidenberg, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the New York University School of Medicine, New York. Psychosomatic medicine isn't about acupuncture or homeopathy, he says. Rather, it's built on the concept that the mind and body are connected. ‘Some experts say the body essentially is the subconscious mind, and that the unconscious mind can initiate real physical changes, causing real physical disease.’”

317 East 34th St, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10016
(212) 421-SKIN (7546)
Website
Insurance Accepted: Aetna, Cigna, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, HIP, United Healthcare, Healthnet


An image of Practitioner Laurel Steinberg
Laurel Steinberg
Laurel Steinberg, PhD, LMHC
(Therapist)

Dr. Laurel Steinberg is a psychotherapist treating individuals, couples, and families in New York City and Long Island. She has a personal connection to TMS/PPD, as her father suffered from chronic back pain until meeting Dr. Sarno. Dr. Steinberg completely overcame years of symptoms of migraine, which were partially triggered by TMS/PPD. She writes, "I understand the sadness, worry, isolation and frustration that one can experience when they feel ill all the time...If you are suffering with TMS, I want you to know that you, too, can overcome whatever symptoms you are currently experiencing." (Source). Dr. Steinberg is an integrative therapist who fuses cognitive and dynamic techniques with Mindfulness to best help TMS/PPD patients. (Source).

Available via Phone and Zoom for Coaching Consultations

(917) 574-0825
DrLaurelSteinberg@gmail.com
Survey Response / Main Website


J. Weltin, MD (Physician)

Monsey, New York
(845) 558-2798


North Carolina

Bruce C. Hill, MD, FACR (Physician)

300 Billingsley Road, Suite 204
Charlotte, NC, 28211
(704) 333-1400


Ohio

An image of Practitioner Peter Zafirides
Peter Zafirides
Peter Zafirides, MD
(Physician)

Dr. Peter Zafirides is a psychiatrist in Columbus, Ohio. He is President and Co-Founder of Central Ohio Behavioral Medicine (COBM). Established in 1997, COBM is a premier behavioral healthcare practice with a multidisciplinary staff of MD, NP, RN, PhD, LISW, and LPCC clinicians. Dr Zafirides is also Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry at Ohio State University. Dr. Zafirides' specific interest is in the psychiatric aspects of chronic pain management. He been published in this area of Psychiatry. Dr. Zafirides continues to be an active speaker on Psychiatric Aspects of Chronic Pain, speaking both nationally and internationally on this subject. Dr. Zafirides has incorporated core TMS principles along with his orientation in existential psychotherapy as part of his psychiatric practice for the last 10 years. Several years ago, Dr Zafirides was fortunate enough to have spent time in New York personally learning from Dr. Sarno.

5025 Arlington Centre Boulevard, #500
Columbus, Ohio 43220
(614) 538-8300
(614) 538-1656 (fax)
zafshrink@yahoo.com TMS Wiki Profile
Insurance Accepted: Ohio State University Health Plan, Ohio Health Care
The Healthy Mind Radio Show with Dr. Peter Zafirides
Main Wiki Page about Peter Zafirides
Board member of the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association (PPDA)
Website


An image of Practitioner John Nadas
John Nadas
John Nadas, MD
(Physician)

Canton, Ohio
(330) 489-1495
john@nadasweb.com
TMS Wiki Profile / Website
Insurance Accepted: Aetna, Medicaid, Medicare, Humana, BCBS, United Health Care, Sierra, Wellpoint


Additional Practitioner

Steve Ozanich


Oregon

Additional Practitioner

Andy Bayliss


An image of Practitioner Dave Clarke
Dave Clarke
Dave Clarke, MD
(Physician)

Dr Clarke is a clinical assistant professor of medicine emeritus at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), a clinical lecturer with Pacific University, is board-certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine and practiced Gastroenterology in Portland, Oregon from 1984 to 2009. He has frequently appeared on TV and radio. He says,“In 1983 I encountered a patient whose illness baffled two universities. She was cured with a few months of counseling by a psychiatrist who shared her methods of diagnosis and treatment. Subsequently I used and further developed her concepts to help over 7000 patients. My book for patients, They Can't Find Anything Wrong!, was published in 2007, enthusiastically endorsed by leading medical school professors and even translated into Hebrew for publication in Israel. I closed my practice after July, 2009 to travel the US teaching health care professionals and the public how to uncover and manage the hidden stresses that are capable of causing physical illness. I have also done over 100 television and radio broadcasts since the Fall of 2007. My long-term goal is to make stress illness a routine part of the education of health care professionals.” Dr. Clarke was also a speaker at the 2nd Annual TMS Conference March 2010. His presentation was entitled "Connecting Stress to Physical Symptoms." (Source 1, Source 2)

Clinical Assistant Professor of Gastroenterology
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, OR 97239
DrDave@stressillness.com
TMS Wiki Profile / Survey Response / Forum Posts / Website / Book

Main Wiki Page About David Clarke
Information on the Stress Illness Recovery Practitioner's Association (SIRPA)
Board member of the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association(PPDA)


An image of Practitioner Serena Sterling
Serena Sterling
Serena Sterling, PsyD
(Therapist)

Dr. Sterling received her master's and doctorate in clinical psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. To introduce herself, she writes, "Serena Sterling is a mind-body coach who uses her education, training, and experience in clinical psychology to help her clients understand why they're thinking, feeling, and behaving in certain ways and combines that with coaching to keep people accountable to their goals. Using mind-body stress reduction techniques, including Neuro Emotional Technique and PSYCH-K in addition to her training in TMS, she can quickly help her clients identify and release the underlying emotional root issue causing physical or emotional pain. Serena is also the author of Pain: A Love Story, which explores her own story of developing juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at a young age due to repressing her emotions, how she alleviated her symptoms, and describes client cases of how she works with people to alleviate mind-body disorders. All sessions are done remotely." (Source)

Available via Zoom
https://www.drserenasterling.com/
serena@drserenasterling.com
Survey Response / TMS Wiki Profile / Website Insurance Accepted: None


Pennsylvania

Randy Cohen, DO (Physician)

Pain Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialists
2207 Oregon Pike
Suite 301
Lancaster, PA 17601
(717) 560-4480
(717) 560-4485 Fax
rcohen57@comcast.net


Miriam Franco, LCSW, PsyD (Therapist)

328 S. Devon Ave
Wayne, PA 19087
(610)225-6006
drmefranco@yahoo.com
Survey Response


Larry Montemurro, PhD (Therapist)

902 West Main St
Mount Pleasant, PA, 15666
(724) 423-6217


Tennessee

Alicia B. Batson, MD (Physician)

Dr. Batson is a board-certified psychiatrist based in Nashville. She received her dual-training in internal medicine and psychiatry at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. Dr. Batson also has personal experience with TMS, overcoming ten years of physical symptoms using the mindbody approach. In her survey response, she writes, “Having experienced debilitating MBS/TMS symptoms myself for 10 years before finding help, I fully understand what my patients are going through and am able to guide them in their recovery.” Dr. Batson provides diagnostic, educational, and therapeutic services. (Source)

Centerstone of Tennessee, Inc
230 Venture Circle
Nashville, Tn 37228
Contact information can be found on her website.
Survey Response / Website


Matthew McClanahan, DO, MA (Physician)

Dr. McClanahan is an osteopathic physician working for CHI-Memorial’s Integrative Medicine Associates, in downtown Chattanooga. Among numerous interests including primary care and neuromusculoskeletal medicine – both of which he is board certified in – he feels that the critical factor is to make the appropriate diagnosis, whether a patient’s presenting symptoms are related peripherally to tissue damage, centrally to autonomic windup and facilitation of protective psychophysiologic nerve pathways, or a mix of the two. As he puts it, “Being both a generalist in primary care and a specialist in neuromusculoskeletal medicine, I’m attuned to the complexities of normal physiology and normal anatomy, in addition to addressing them both from a standard western model (labs, imaging, medications, etc) and from an osteopathic paradigm (manual medicine, injections [steroid and regenerative], when to refer for rehab/surgery, and when/how to determine that we treat causes rather than symptoms). When it comes to good medical care, looking at each patient’s unique, contextual experience and health is incredibly valuable, and often overlooked in the rush of the standard medical model. In the work I do looking internally, as much or more than fixating on externals, is the essence of holistic, integrative, or “natural” medicine, as true health always flows from the inside-out. There are no side effects from changing your brain!” (Source)

Center for Insight Medicine
6209 Lee Hwy
Suite 101
Chattanooga, TN 37421
matthew_mcclanahan@memorial.org; matt.mcc.do@gmail.com
Survey Response / Website


Christopher Vinsant, MD (Physician)

501 20th Street Suite 606
Knoxville, TN, 37916
(865) 546-8040
Insurance Accepted: Aetna, Cigna, Healthnet, Medicaid, Medicare, Workers comp, Well Care, Humana, BCBS, Coventry, United Health Care, Wellpoint


Texas

Jonna Lee Barta, PhD (Therapist)

Dr. Barta is a licensed psychologist. She says "I have an individual private practice and I enjoy working with clients diagnosed with PPD / TMS. I generally require that any outstanding physical conditions are ruled out first by a physician. Consulting a medical doctor who treats or understands PPD / TMS may be warranted, but in general the client can consult any doctor of their choice. It is generally recommended that clients read Dr. Sarno's books or information written by other experts in the field before starting therapy. It is best that the client has tried the suggested methods for treatment first (journaling, using Dr. Schechter's MindBody Workbook, practicing learned techniques) before beginning treatment for PPD / TMS given they may experience symptom relief from these efforts.

I received specialized training (a portion of my internship training, 1 year post doctoral training and 4 subsequent years of practice) working with clients diagnosed with chronic pain syndrome from a conservative pain management perspective. Although this treatment model is different from a psychosomatic approach, this training has given me a greater understanding of the full spectrum of pain disorders and the etiologies of pain."(Source)

8117 Preston Road, Ste. 300, Dallas, TX 75225
(214) 629-6986
jonna.barta@att.net
Survey Response
Insurance Accepted: Medicare, BCBS, Aetna


MaryAnn Schaffer, PhD (Therapist)

One Killeen Center
Executive Suite 108-7
Killeen, TX 76541
(254) 718-2952
schaffer@clearwire.net


John Sklar, MD (Physician)

Dr. John Sklar practices Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation in Fort Worth, Texas. He has been treating TMS for 20 years. Here he reviews "The Presence Process" by Michael Brown. "In it is a very good description of the cause/source of our unconscious conflicts (the one's that result in TMS). Then a 10 week process is described which will begin to allow the unconscious material to be integrated/digested. I believe that it describes the single best TMS treatment protocol on the planet (and I am not one to throw about such words lightly). At any rate you should be aware of this material. I have showed it to DR. Sarno who was initially quite skeptical (after I described it to him) but later was quite impressed. He believes it is great description of the source of repressed emotions (one of "the best" that he has seen)." (Source)

Board Certified in Physical Medicine/Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine
2500 West Freeway
Suite 400
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 870-1868
TMS Wiki Profile / Forum Posts
Insurance Accepted: Aetna, Cigna, Medicaid, Medicare, Workers Comp, PacifiCare, Humana, BCBS, United Health Care, Wellpoint


Virginia

Carol L. Koenig, MD (Physician)

Belle Haven, Virginia
(757) 442-5396


Lisa Barr, MD (Physician)

5665 Lowery Road Suite 100
Norfolk, VA, 23502
(757) 889-5681
Insurance Accepted: Aetna, Cigna, Medicaid, Medicare, Workers Comp, Humana, BCBS, Coventry, United Health Care, Wellpoint


Washington

Gail DiBernardo, LCSW

(Deceased)
Sadly, Gail DiBernardo is deceased. Click here to read her obituary from the New Haven Register. Her obituary mentioned that "She worked as a clinical social worker and was a member of the National Association of Social Workers and a pioneer among a national network of therapists in the treatment of Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS). Gail was widely known and respected for her kindness, friendliness, and generosity. She was deeply concerned for the well-being of all living things, and an advocate and campaigner for human rights and social justice as well."


David Hanscom, MD (Physician)

Dr. Hanscom is an orthopedic spine surgeon based in Seattle specializing in complex spinal defomity and failed backs. He writes that his personal experience overcoming chronic pain and anxiety using mindbody principles pushed him to pursue mindbody treatment practices with his patients. Through this personal experience and from treating patients, Dr. Hanscom writes that he found that “surgery was always less than half of the solution...as chronic pain is a neurological diagnosis and rarely a structural problem surgery is seldom effective. It is my feeling that over half of spine surgeries should never be performed” (Source).

Dr. Hanscom notes that although he integrates mindbody principles into his treatment approach, his “practice is limited to surgical referrals from another spine specialist such as a physiatrist or surgeon” (Source)

Dr. Hanscom is also the author of the TMS/MBS book Back in Control: A Spine Surgeon’s Roadmap Out of Chronic Pain, published in 2012.

Swedish Neuroscience Specialists
550 17th Ave, Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98122
206-320-2800
Survey Response / Website / Blog Posts
Insurance Accepted: All plans accepted by Swedish Hospital


Ann Silvers, MA (Therapist)

1013 140th Street Court NW
Gig Harbor, WA 98332
(206) 660-9840
(253) 853-7049
ann@silverstreamunlimited.com
website


Mark Strom, MD (Physician)

Dr Strom has practiced medicine for more than 25 years. He served as chief of cardiac and thoracic surgery at Garfield Medical Center in Los Angeles and is an Associate in Surgery, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, at UCLA. Widely published, Dr. Strom is a nationally renowned expert in the fields of healthcare information systems, healthcare change and healthcare quality. While continuing to practice as a cardiovascular surgeon, Strom became deeply involved in the search for a solution to the burgeoning healthcare crisis in America. In 2005 Strom spent time with Dr. John Sarno at the Rusk Institute for Rehabilitative Medicine learning Dr. Sarno's unique approach to chronic pain (Tension Myositis Syndrome). The confluence of Strom's experience in these three crucial areas - traditional clinical medicine, medical acupuncture and TMS - has inspired his distinctive view of healthcare delivery, based on a fusion of the applicable tenets of all three. "We must give patients more responsibility for their own care; and most importantly, we must give both doctors and patients a doctor/patient relationship." (Source)

1370 Stewart Street
Suite 202
Seattle, WA 98100
(425) 922-7576
(425)669-7500 fax
Mailing address: P. O. Box 3446, Bellevue, WA 98009
mark@acupunctureassoc.com
Website


Wisconsin

Luke Fortney MD (Physician)

Assistant Professor
University of Wisconsin Integrative Medicine Program
621 Science Drive
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 262-9355
(800) 323-8942
Insurance Accepted: Medicaid, Medicare, Humana, BCBS, Wellpoint


Douglas Hoffman MD (Physician)

11134 North State Road 77
Hayward, WI, 54843
(715) 634-5505
or
1101 9th Street North
Virginia, WI, 55792
(715) 634-5505


Roman Y. Kaplan, MD (Physician)

Oshkosh, Wisconsin
888 838-7051
902 236-6311


David Johnson, MD (Physician)

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
414 935-8000
Insurance Accepted: Aetna, Cigna, Medicaid, Medicare, WellCare, Humana, BCBS, United Health Care, Wellpoint


An image of Practitioner Nancy Selfridge
Nancy Selfridge
Nancy Selfridge, MD
(Physician)

Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Insurance Accepted: Medicaid, Medicare, BCBS, Wellpoint


World (non-US)

Australia

James Alexander, PhD (Therapist)

115 Keen St
Lismore NSW 2480
Australia
Phone: 0410836690
Fax: (02) 66224234
Website / Survey Response / Forum Posts / About The Hidden Psychology of Pain


Mary Bayles, MSW (Therapist)

Mary Bayles has 25 years experience in the field of psychology. She earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of New South Wales and a master's in social work from New York University in 1988. She also earned a Certificate of Specialization in Psychoanalysis from the National Institute for the Psychotherapies. Mary Bayles was introduced to TMS from Frances Sommer Anderson in 1999 and studied under Dr. Anderson.

2/102 Crown St
Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
Australia
Phone: (02) 0409001387
mbayles@icloud.com
Survey Response


Additional Australia Practitioner

Hal Greenham, BSc


Therese Mortlock (Therapist)

Therese has over 20 years of experience as a psychotherapist in Australia. She writes that her special interest is "trauma and complex trauma with workplace bullying and chronic pain as other areas of interest very much related to distressing and traumatic life events." Therese is an EMDR Accredited Practitioner, and writes that she finds the therapy helpful in TMS treatment. (Source)

Available via Phone and Skype
46 Young Street
Carrington NSW 2294
Australia
Phone: (02) 49614989
contact@innervisionpsychology.com.au
Survey Response / Website


Canada

Sean Graham, DC (Therapist)

Satori Integrative Health Centre
12004 No.1 Road
Richmond, B.C.
(604) 274-7224
(604) 241-8526 fax
satoriihc@aol.com
Website


Allen Kaplin, MD (ISTDP Therapist)

27 Arnold Crescent
Richmond Hill, Ontario Canada L4C 3R6
(905)770-7503
akalpin@aol.com
Survey Response


Germany

Nir Brosh, MD (Physician)

Dr. Brosh is a physician, and describes himself as "a medical doctor since 2006, and practicing both in Berlin, Germany where my main clinic is located, as well as in Israel. After suffering myself from TMS and healing through Dr. Sarno's work, I have shifted the focus of my work with patients to be based mostly on Mind-Body principles. I also base treatments on natural ways of healing, combining nutrition, supplements, herbs and lifestyle changes to optimize health and reverse disease processes. " (Source)

Available via Skype
Tulpenstrasse 5, 12203
Berlin, Germany

Phone: +493089069269
drbroshnir@gmail.com
Survey Response / Website


Ireland

Additional Ireland Practitioner

Mags Clark-Smith


Israel

Nir Brosh, MD (Physician)

Dr. Brosh is a physician, and describes himself as "a medical doctor since 2006, and practicing both in Berlin, Germany where my main clinic is located, as well as in Israel. After suffering myself from TMS and healing through Dr. Sarno's work, I have shifted the focus of my work with patients to be based mostly on Mind-Body principles. I also base treatments on natural ways of healing, combining nutrition, supplements, herbs and lifestyle changes to optimize health and reverse disease processes. " (Source)

Available via Skype
Iserlish St. 22
Tel-Aviv, Israel

Phone: +972722713193
drbroshnir@gmail.com
Survey Response / Website


Italy

Andrea Bariselli (ISTDP Therapist)

Centro Clinico Brescia
Via delle Grazie, 3 – 25122 Brescia (Italy)
0305030949
Bariselli.andrea@gmail.com
Website / Survey Response / Research


United Kingdom

An image of Practitioner Liz Dyde
Practitioner Liz Dyde
Liz Dyde, BACP
(Therapist)

Lifeways Complementary Health Centre

Available via Phone
30 Albany Road
Stratford upon Avon
Warwickshire
CV37 6PG
Tel: 01789 295890
liz@lizdyde.com
Survey Response / Website / Profile Page
SIRPAPractitioner.png


An image of Practitioner Louise Levy
Practitioner Louise Levy
Louise Levy
(Therapist)

Louise has a Master's degree in Guidance Counseling and diplomas in both Clinical Advanced Hypnotherapy and Cognitive Behavioral Hypno-Psychotherapy (Hypno-CBT). Louise was one of the first practitioners to go through the SIRPA Practitioner Training Programme with Georgie Oldfield, MCSP, and became an Advanced Specialist of Chronic Pain in 2011. She says, “Working as a therapist means I am consulted on a range of conditions affecting the mind and the body. I am particularly passionate about supporting people with TMS and chronic pain as I myself suffered from severe TMS back pain for 12 years.” Louise offers both face to face and telephone consultations.

Available via Phone
Lily House
11/12 The Shrubberies
George Lane
South Woodford
London E18 1BD
Tel: 020 8530 8888
Tel: 07984 011429
Fax: 020 8530 5566
info@louiselevy.co.uk
TMS Wiki Profile / Survey Response / Website / Lily House Website
Main Wiki Page About Louise Levy
Insurance Accepted: NHS Complementary Health Registered Therapist (Funding through PCT)
SIRPAPractitioner.png


Toireasa McCann, CABP (Therapist)

Integrative Body Psychotherapist
Clinics in London SW2 and NW6
07789 267171
voxnova1@yahoo.co.uk


An image of Practitioner Georgie Oldfield
Practitioner Georgie Oldfield
Georgina Oldfield, MCSP
(Physiotherapist)

Georgie Oldfield is a physiotherapist based in the UK. She is the founder of SIRPA (The Stress Illness Recovery Practitioners Association), an organization dedicated to educating and training practitioners and other professionals in TMS treatment. Georgie is the organizer of SIRPA's inaugural conference, “Chronic Pain: to suppress, manage, or cure?”.

Georgie is the author of the 2014 TMS book Chronic Pain: Your Key to Recovery, which includes information about TMS as well as worksheets and exercises and stories from people who successfully overcame their TMS. She has also developed an online recovery program as well as a recovery CD, and runs monthly clinics in London.

In her survey response, Georgie writes:

“Despite being a Physiotherapist, Dr Sarno's concept and approach was not a surprise to me. For many years prior to coming across this work in 2007 I had been looking for the answer to the many inconsistencies I had been observing with my own patients. I had also already begun to realise that pain often did not appear to be related to the structural problems patients had been diagnosed with. Coming across TMS was an epiphany moment for me and has completely changed my whole understanding and therefore how I work. Having seen the remarkable and often life changing recoveries in my own patients, I am passionate about working with people with TMS/PPD and 100% of my time over the past few years has been developing this work and raising the profile in the UK.
“Since developing SIRPA I continue to work in a clinical role working with people who suffer from TMS/PPD. Although based in Yorkshire I also run regular assessment clinics in London and Bristol. Through SIRPA I also run training courses for other regulated Health Professionals in order to help them integrate this approach into their own work. Our aim is to raise the profile of this work by increasing the awareness of stress illness to the public and Practitioners as well as the Medical world.”
(Source)

A physiotherapist is very similar to a doctor, in that they can make diagnoses and order medical tests. A physiotherapist in the UK is very similar to a Physical Therapist in the United States.

Available via Phone and Skype
19 Longley Lane
Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK
01484 452500
Survey Response / Website / Q&A Answers / Forum Profile / DVD and CD
Main Wiki Page About Georgie Oldfield
Miracles of Mindbody Medicine article
Why You Need to Stop Trying so Hard to Get Better
Insurance Accepted: Any plan that covers Physiotherapy costs, except BUPA.
SIRPAPractitioner.png

Testimonials

Lettuce Dance said, "I eventually went to see Georgie Oldfield in Huddersfield in Yorkshire. It was a bit of a slog getting there, but it was well worth it. (Even filling out the pre-appointment assessment on my family, background and past illnesses was very revealing.)

I visited her in February, and felt an immediate improvement. For me, the fact that she comes from a physiotherapy background, and thoroughly understands the mechanics of one's body, was very helpful.

I chose to do her programme, which I followed in a fairly informal fashion, as I was bogged down with a big work project at the time. The programme included a series of follow-up appointments, which we did via Skype: these were really good. She went to great lengths to help me. I found her sympathetic and professional."


An image of Practitioner Jane Parkinson
Practitioner Jane Parkinson
Jane Parkinson, UKCP
(Therapist)

Jane Parkinson is a registered psychoanalytic psychotherapist in the United Kingdom. She trained at the Bowlby Centre and has over twenty years of clinical experience, 7 of those years has involved patients with TMS. In October of 2012, she attended the PPDA Conference: When Stress Causes Pain, where she developed relationships with other TMS practitioners. Parkinson uses an Attachment-based form of psychotherapy that has at its core an understanding of the importance of relationships to human growth and development throughout life. In addition, she works with TMS physician Nick Straiton, and does conduct therapy sessions using Skype.(Source)

Available via Phone and Skype
The Bowlby Centre
1 Highbury Crescent, Highbury
London, N5 1RN, United Kingdom
Tel: 0044 (0) 7774564373
Website / Survey Response
Insurance Accepted: Bupa


Additional UK Practitioner

Rachel Stevens


Nicholas Straiton, MBBS (Physician)

Dr. Straiton is an English doctor based in Brighton. He writes: “I am a medical practitioner and registered osteopath who works in the NHS but also has a private practice where I treat patients suffering from musculo-skeletal disorders. For the last ten years I have been working in the NHS for the Back Pain Service at the local hospital. I have always been interested in psychosomatic medicine and a few years ago a psychotherapist colleague introduced me to Dr Sarno's books. His description of the frustration of working in a hospital environment where high tech investigations and treatment strategies fail to alleviate many people suffering from back pain mirrored exactly my own experience . I became fascinated by his approach and eventually went out to New York to sit in at his clinics at the Rusk institute in order to learn first hand the process that he uses to diagnose and treat patients with TMS. This experience was truly valuable and enriching to the degree that I would say that my practice has changed significantly since that time. I believe that many, but not all, of patients suffering with chronic back pain are manifesting emotional distress through a physical symptom and for any long lasting relief to be achieved the factors relevant to this distress need to be recognised and addressed.” (Source)

Dr. Straiton also works at the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine. This is an NHS hospital, which means that patients can be referred him for TMS treatment at the hospital without having to pay.

Available via Phone
1, Glover's Yard, 121, Havelock Road
Brighton, East Sussex BN1 6GN
01273 540303
Survey Response / Website
Insurance Accepted: Most major providers


Additional UK Practitioner

Honora Totman


DISCLAIMER: The TMS Wiki is for informational and support purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. See Full Disclaimer.