Michelle Young
Counselling
SIRPA Coaching for Chronic Pain and Persistent Symptoms
A mind-body approach to supporting recovery from chronic pain and persistent symptoms.
Using an evidence-based SIRPA approach, I support people living with chronic pain, fibromyalgia, M.E/CFS, IBS and other persistent symptoms through face-to-face sessions in Stroud, Gloucestershire, as well as online across the UK.
A Mind-Body Approach
I am a qualified wellbeing coach and use a mind-body approach to explore how repressed emotions from childhood, current stresses and personality traits can contribute to pain, fibromyalgia, M.E/CFS and other chronic symptoms. I am a stress illness recovery (SIRPA) practitioner and have also completed specialist practitioner training with the Chrysalis Effect.
My Journey
My interest in working with clients with chronic pain and other persistent symptoms using a mind-body approach is deeply personal and I understand from my own experience, how exhausting and life changing this experience can be.
When I discovered the work of Dr Sarno and the SIRPA approach this became an important part of my own understanding of the connection between my emotions, nervous system and symptoms. The insights and support I received through this approach helped me in my own journey and inspired me to train as a SIRPA practitioner so that I could offer the same understanding to others.
What is SIRPA coaching?
Coaching is goal focused and empowers you to look at where you are now and where you'd like to be. It helps you to define your goals and identify resistance that may get in the way of these goals.
SIRPA (Stress Illness Recovery Practitioners' Association) coaching is an evidence based mind-body approach that supports recovery from persistent symptoms driven by the nervous system, rather than structural damage. This approach builds on the pioneering work of Dr John Sarno, integrating modern neuroscience and a psychological understanding of how stress and emotions can impact the body.
Understanding the mind-body connection
A mind-body approach recognises that many persistent symptoms can have neuroplastic rather than structural origins. These symptoms are real but they may be linked to ongoing stress, past trauma, perfectionism and patterns of emotional suppression. A growing body of research supports the role of creating a sense of safety in the body, emotional awareness and processing, brain retraining and nervous system regulation. This approach helps explain how the brain and body interact and how change is possible.
I can help you to understand neuroplastic symptoms- real physical symptoms that are generated by the brain and nervous system rather than caused by injury or disease. These symptoms are created through learned neural pathways and with the right approach can be unlearned.
Common Symptoms:
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Chronic pain
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Headaches or migraine
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Fatigue
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Burnout
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Digestive issues
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Anxiety and depression
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Cognitive issues such as brain fog
How SIRPA coaching can help
SIRPA coaching focuses on re-training the brain and calming the nervous system so that symptoms can reduce and resolve over time. This involves understanding the mind-body connection, identifying patterns of stress, pressure and emotional load, reducing fear around symptoms, and building safety and resilience in the nervous system.
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Together we can work through the four elements of the SIRPA approach - education, science based understanding, behaviour and lifestyle - at your pace.
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While coaching forms the foundation of my SIRPA sessions I recognise that everyone's experience is unique. Together we can explore whether counselling would be more appropriate for your needs or we can incorporate grief and loss support or Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT).
Get in touch
Medical disclaimer: In order to safely diagnose and treat a condition as stress induced it is essential for clients to have any serious causes and health issues ruled out by a medical practitioner.
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I offer coaching as individual sessions or as a personalised package to meet each client's needs.
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Please contact me for a free 20 minute introductory call to explain how I work. This gives you the opportunity to ask me any questions and decide if I’m the right person to work with.