Living Well Clinic
Pain Reprocessing Therapy for Children and Teens
Simple, science-based skills to calm overactive pain signals
Pain Reprocessing Therapy for Children and Teens
This 6 session online therapy programme provides personalised treatment and support for children and their parents, helping turn down the pain alarm, build confidence, and reduce worry so your child or teenager can get back to school, sport, and fun and return to the activities they love.
Pain=Protection Mode
Pain is real but sometimes the brain stays in protect mode even when there is no danger.
Train Your Brain
We can help the brain learn new, safe ways to respond to the sensations in your body.
Calm and Comfort
When your body feels calm and safe, the pain doesn’t need to be so loud.
Relief and Recovery from Chronic Pain and Symptoms with Pain Reprocessing Therapy
All pain is real. And all pain is created in the brain. But sometimes the brain can misinterpret safe signals as harmful—resulting in persistent pain even where there is no ongoing tissue damage. This is known as neuroplastic pain.
The good news is that if your pain is neuroplastic, it is possible to retrain the brain to reduce or even eliminate symptoms entirely. Like learning to speak French – or learning to play the piano – you can create a new neural pathway in the brain and reset an overprotective and hypersensitive pain system.
Dear Brain—is a specially adapted, developmentally appropriate version of my signature Pain Keys® programme. It offers a holistic brain-based approach to help young people to significantly reduce or eliminate chronic pain so they can feel safe, happy and well.
Pain Reprocessing Therapy for Children and Teens
Most of my work is with adults and children who are living with chronic primary pain — pain that isn’t caused by an injury, illness, or a structural problem in the body.
In these cases, the pain is neuroplastic, which means the nervous system has become oversensitive and overprotective, sending pain signals even when the body is safe.
Children and teens often respond quickly to this active, science-based approach. By combining Pain Reprocessing Therapy, CBT, and Hypno-CBT®, we help the brain stop sending overprotective pain signals — so young people can return to school, hobbies, and friendships with less pain and more confidence.
Common Conditions
Co-Occurring Issues
These lists are not exhaustive. Please get in touch to discuss your child’s pain, symptoms and situation to see how I could support you with their physical and mental wellbeing.
Medical Disclaimer: Therapy should be used alongside/in addition to medical treatment as appropriate. Always seek your doctor’s advice before starting therapy and ensure you have a proper diagnosis where relevant.
How can the ‘Dear Brain’ programme help?
All pain is created in the brain 🧠⚡— whether you’ve got a headache or have broken your arm. But sometimes, your brain makes a mistake and sends pain signals or symptoms when it doesn’t need to.
‘Dear Brain’ helps you work with your brain and body to reduce pain and symptoms so that you can get back to days filled with ease, freedom and fun.
Dear Brain: What’s Included
Six Online Sessions
Join sessions online from home via Zoom. Parents can learn alongside you too. But this is all about you: your space, your goals, your recovery 💪🏻
Tools for Lifelong Wellbeing
Learn coping skills and techniques that can be used whenever you need them — to help you understand your thoughts and emotions and feel more calm, confident and happy.
‘Just For You’ Audios
Short audio tracks can provide pain relief and help you practise key skills such as relaxation, self-hypnosis and mindfulness between sessions. Ear buds at the ready!
Dear Brain: For Parents
Dear Brain: For Teens
PRT for Children and Teens Programme Fees
Free 30 Minute Consultation & Medical Review
Book now to have a relaxed chat to discuss your child’s pain, symptoms and medical history to see if this approach is right for them.
• Free Consultation Medical History Review
• 30 Minute Call
• Via Zoom
Free
Book Now
Dear Brain™ Six Session Programme
Paediatric pain recovery programme for children/teens with CBT/ACT, Clinical Hypnotherapy and Pain Reprocessing Therapy.
• 6 x Integrative Therapy Sessions (60 mins each)
• Holistic Treatment Programme
• Personalised Audio Recordings
£495
Book Now
Managing Chronic Pain in Children and Teens
International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)It is estimated that around 20-35% of children and adolescents around the world are impacted by chronic pain. In line with current research, the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) recommends an integrative approach as the most effective way to manage paediatric pain.
This may involve a combination of the following (in addition to physical rehabilitation, and/or medication, where required):
The Dear Brain programme combines all of the above in an integrative, tailored and holistic way to suit your child’s needs, interests and preferences.
As sessions progress, activities are gradually reintroduced (in a safe and gentle way) and life begins to return to normal, worries tend to lessen and pain tends to fade and resolve.
Research has found that psychological treatments are effective for reducing pain-related disability in children and adolescents with mixed chronic pain conditions and for children with headache at follow-up (Fisher et al., 2018).
To read the full IASP fact sheet on Pain in Children: Management, in multiple languages, click here
RESEARCH REFEREnCESIASP (2021). Pain in Children: Management. https://www.iasp-pain.org/resources/fact-sheets/pain-in-children-management/
Fisher et al. (2018). Psychological therapies for the management of chronic and recurrent pain in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018;9:CD003968.
Clinical Hypnosis for Chronic Pain in Children
pain control hypnotherapy for children and teensClinical hypnosis and self-hypnosis are supported by robust research as effective, non-invasive approaches for managing chronic pain in children.
A meta-analysis investigating hypnosis for acute and chronic pain management in adults found that for 75% of patients hypnosis provided substantial pain relief and was shown to be superior to non-hypnotic psychological interventions.
Although there are fewer studies with children, the research that does exist shows good results. This approach has helped young people reduce pain during surgery, in cancer care, and for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
In one noteworthy randomized controlled trial of hypnosis for children with abdominal pain or IBS, hypnosis was demonstrated as highly superior to standard medical therapy in reducing both pain frequency and pain intensity. (Wren et al.,2019).
Children taught self-hypnosis for migraine reported fewer episodes compared with both placebo and propranolol groups (Olness et al., 1987). Research into procedural pain also confirms hypnosis reduces pain, anxiety, and distress more effectively than standard care (Liossi & Hatira, 2003; Liossi et al., 2006).
Hypnosis is known to be effective for analgesia in adults, and may be even more effective for use in children who often have enhanced susceptibility. Neuroimaging studies show that hypnosis is associated with brain areas involved in reduced arousal, visual imagery and possible reinterpretation of perceptual experiences.
Hypnosis is safe, adaptable, and empowering—ideal for children who often respond readily to guided imagery and suggestion. Delivered by qualified clinicians, it represents a valuable adjunct to traditional pain-management strategies (Kohen & Olness, 2011).
RESEARCH REFEREnCESEvans et al., (2008). Paediatric Pain Management: Using Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Rev Pain. 2008 Sep;2(1):14-20. doi: 10.1177/204946370800200104. PMID: 26525515; PMCID: PMC4589933.
Olness et al., 1987). Comparison of self-hypnosis and propranolol in the treatment of juvenile classic migraine. Pediatrics. 1987 Apr;79(4):593-7. PMID: 3822681.
Kohen and Olness (2011). Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy With Children – 4th edition Routledge -Taylor & Francis Group, New York, 2011.
Wren et al., (2019). Multidisciplinary Pain Management for Paediatric Patients with Acute and Chronic Pain: A Foundational Treatment Approach When Prescribing Opioids. Children. 2019; 6(2):33. https://doi.org/10.3390/children6020033
Anne Glennie
Advanced Pain Reprocessing Therapy Practitioner and TherapistWhy Work with Me?
I’m an Advanced Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) practitioner with a special interest in helping children and teens feel safe, hopeful, and empowered in their bodies. I combine cutting-edge neuroscience with the transformative power of imagination—drawing on evidence-based tools to gently shift pain patterns and emotional distress.
As a former teacher and education consultant, my background in education spans over 20 years, including writing and publishing children’s books. This means I can build rapport and connect with children—through stories, metaphor, and a playful approach. I am also a member of the PVG Scheme (Scotland) — this is the equivalent of an enhanced DBS check.
I take time to listen to your child’s goals and ensure they are an active part of the process; their ideas, interests, and hobbies are woven into treatment. Whether they’re into Fortnite, fashion, or Friends, we’ll bring their favourite things into the process—so the journey feels fun, relevant, and truly theirs.
A parent myself, I know how hard it can be to watch your child struggle, and how difficult it can feel when answers or reassurance are in short supply. I offer compassionate, practical support that recognises the whole family’s wellbeing; I’d love to help you explore a new path forward.
I’m more than happy to answer any questions you have. Please get in touch if you’d like to know more or click to book a free consultation below.
Dip. CBH, Dip. SMRB,
GHR (Reg.), GHQP