About Us
The Better Mind Center is founded on the importance of mutual respect and is committed to fostering inclusion, equity, and justice within its practice. We believe in actively combating racism, hatred, and discrimination in all its forms. We strive to create a supportive community where all individuals can access care, regardless of their age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, ability or disability, family structure, or any other aspect of their identity. We dedicate ourselves to co-creating safety with our clients as part of the healing process.
Our Mission
At The Better Mind Center, our mission is to help individuals overcome chronic pain, anxiety, and related conditions through innovative mind-body approaches while fostering a supportive, close-knit community for both our clients and clinicians. As a team, we are committed to:
Empowering Clients: Providing education and tools to help clients understand the mind-body connection, recognize neuroplastic pain, and take actionable steps toward recovery. Healing happens in a safe, compassionate space where clients feel seen, heard, and supported.
Prioritizing Clinicians' Wellbeing: We recognize that our clients thrive when their clinicians do. We are dedicated to maintaining a small, familial environment where clinicians feel valued, supported, and given ample opportunities for both personal and professional growth.
Advancing Research and Advocacy: We contribute to the evolving field of mind-body medicine through research, education, and outreach, reshaping how chronic pain and related conditions are understood and treated.
At The Better Mind Center, healing, growth, and the liberation from chronic pain are at the heart of everything we do. We strive to make every person who joins our community feel deeply supported in their journey toward wellness and transformation.
Our Team
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Christie Uipi, LCSW
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Bernice Hurtado, LCSW
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
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Rachel Mooers, LMFT
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
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Brianna Barba, LCSW
PSYCHOTHERAPIST | CHRONIC PAIN COACH
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Alyssa Heskin, LCSW
PSYCHOTHERAPIST | CHRONIC PAIN COACH
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Alexandra Ndegwa Rennebohm, LCSW
PSYCHOTHERAPIST | CHRONIC PAIN COACH
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Kelly Wu, LCSW
PSYCHOTHERAPIST | CHRONIC PAIN COACH
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Amalia Zager, LMSW
PSYCHOTHERAPIST | CHRONIC PAIN COACH
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Paul Uipi
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Christie Uipi, LCSW
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Christie Uipi (she/her) is a psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, CA specializing in the treatment of chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. She pursued extensive clinical training at the Pain Psychology Center in Los Angeles, where she worked alongside Alan Gordon to develop Pain Reprocessing Therapy. Christie’s approach to treating chronic pain is based in neuroscience and rooted in compassion, working to empower her patients with accurate pain education and effective mindfulness-based and cognitive-behavioral techniques. She lectures nationally on psychotherapeutic interventions to treat chronic pain and is committed to cross-disciplinary collaboration between mental health and physical medicine. Christie is also a recovered chronic pain patient herself. The healing process was so profoundly transformational for the quality of her life that she has dedicated her career to supporting others through their recoveries.
Trained in: Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Problem-Solving Therapy.
Bernice Hurtado, LCSW
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Bernice Hurtado (she/her/ella) is a psychotherapist and pain coach based in Riverside, CA. Her clinical focus centers on supporting clients with neural circuit disorders as they break free from the Symptom-Fear Cycle. Bernice helps clients deepen their understanding of their reaction to their symptoms, themselves, and the world around them using a mix of cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based approaches. Bernice also has experience treating adolescents struggling with eating disorders, women navigating the transition to parenthood and/or experiencing perinatal mood disorders, and adults diagnosed with life-altering chronic illness. Bernice believes in the healing power of the alliance between client and practitioner, and relates to her clients with patience, compassion, and trust in their ability to create positive change.
Trained in: Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eating Disorders, Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Patient Empowerment with a Chronic Illness.
Rachel Mooers, LMFT
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
Rachel Mooers (she/they) is a psychotherapist and pain coach based in Las Vegas, NV who specializes in the treatment of mindbody pain, anxiety, depression and trauma. She earned her masters degree in Couple & Family Therapy from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and has received extensive training in Pain Reprocessing Therapy under Christie Uipi and Howard Schubiner. Rachel believes that every person is born with an innate capacity to heal, and integrates neuroscience, somatics and attachment frameworks to support her clients towards their goals for holistic wellbeing. She enjoys sharing effective, powerful breathing techniques that enhance health and regulate the nervous system.
Trained in: Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), Parts & Memory Therapy (PMT), and Trauma Recovery Yoga (TRY).
Brianna Barba, LCSW
PSYCHOTHERAPIST | CHRONIC PAIN COACH
Brianna (she/her) is a psychotherapist and pain coach based in Ontario, California. Brianna's personal healing experiences related to trauma and chronic pain help to shape her ever-growing passion for guiding clients to discover their best and most favorite selves. She understands the power that comes with rewriting the narrative around one's own story and one's own body, and supports her clients as they develop an empowered and hopeful stance towards their healing. Brianna also helps her clients increase connection to themselves and others by integrating body consciousness and building awareness of their unique internal needs. In Brianna's trauma-informed approach to psychotherapy, she utilizes elements of attachment theory, polyvagal theory, cultural responsiveness, and decolonization. Brianna also has experience treating individuals with co-occurring disorders such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.
Trained in: Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotional Freedom Techniques (Tapping), and Motivational Interviewing (MI).
Alyssa Heskin, LCSW
PSYCHOTHERAPIST | CHRONIC PAIN COACH
Alyssa Heskin (she/her) is a psychotherapist and pain coach based in Los Angeles, California. Alyssa believes that every client deserves a space in which they feel safe, empowered, and in control of their healing. She takes a psychodynamic, strength-focused, and mindfulness-based approach and utilizes evidence-based practices from Pain Reprocessing Therapy. Alyssa works collaboratively with clients to identify their maladaptive thinking patterns and behaviors and replace them with effective strategies to alleviate emotional and physical pain. Alyssa was first introduced to concepts of neuroplasticity and somatic healing while supporting a family member through their chronic pain recovery. This personal experience sparked an awe for the healing capacity of our brains and bodies, leading Alyssa to develop her professional niche in chronic pain recovery. Alyssa also specializes in working with survivors of trauma and people experiencing severe mental illness.
Trained in: Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Motivational Interviewing (MI).
Alexandra Ndegwa Rennebohm, LCSW
PSYCHOTHERAPIST | CHRONIC PAIN COACH
Alexandra Ndegwa Rennebohm (she/her) is a psychotherapist and pain coach from the Pacific Northwest currently practicing in Los Angeles, CA. Through her diverse clinical experience, Alexandra has observed the ways in which pain symptoms particularly impact communities of color, educators and other human service professionals, and those impacted by trauma and attachment histories. A vital part of her practice centers around identifying and exploring how environmental factors (systemic oppression, chronic stress, racism, sexism) interact with our identities, processing the impact of these triggers on the mindbody connection and creating pathways for healing. Alexandra cares deeply about providing an affirming therapeutic space for folks from the global majority and those with intersectional identities. She takes a relationship-based approach to healing and utilizes psychodynamic, trauma-informed, and cognitive behavioral techniques (with a dash of humor for good measure).
Trained in: Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy.
Kelly Wu, LCSW
PSYCHOTHERAPIST | CHRONIC PAIN COACH
Kelly Wu (she/her) is a psychotherapist and pain coach based in Los Angeles, CA, whose personal experience of overcoming chronic pain fuels her passion for helping others tap into their mind and body’s natural ability to heal. She believes that chronic pain is not only a physical challenge but also a psychological and emotional one, requiring a comprehensive approach that integrates multiple aspects of the human experience. In her practice, Kelly works closely with clients to explore the powerful connection between the mind and body, guiding them to understand how their thoughts, emotions, and past experiences shape their physical pain. She empowers individuals to reclaim control over their health by recognizing their innate healing potential and utilizes a trauma-informed, holistic approach to help clients retrain their nervous systems and shift unhelpful patterns. Her work is grounded in compassion and the belief that, with the right support, the mind and body can work together to restore balance and well-being.
Trained in: Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Seeking Safety, and Motivational Interviewing (MI).
Amalia Zager, LMSW
PSYCHOTHERAPIST | CHRONIC PAIN COACH
Amalia Zager is a psychotherapist and pain coach based in Los Angeles, CA. Her passion for mind-body medicine is rooted in her own positive experiences with mind-body interventions, fueling her profound dedication to assisting others in this transformative field. Over the past decade, she has immersed herself in contemplative practices, which have profoundly influenced her professional journey. Amalia is deeply committed to integrating her clinical social work background with mindfulness-based techniques to promote comprehensive well-being. Her approach is characterized by compassion, curiosity, and a thoughtful, contemplative outlook. Amalia believes in a strength-based, personalized approach for each of her clients, understanding that every individual is unique. She collaborates closely with them to uncover the roots of their pain and suffering, working together to develop and strengthen skills that enhance their quality of life. She has experience providing mental health services to diverse populations in school and community clinic settings, specializing in treating anxiety, depression, and borderline personality disorder.
Trained in: Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping), Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) 200, and Reiki Levels I and II.
Paul Uipi
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
With an eclectic background in accounting, customer care, and people management, Paul has worn many hats over the course of his career. Paul supports our team of talented clinicians through his experience and expertise in developing business infrastructure and improving operational efficiency. He is an integral part of executing the vision for The Better Mind Center, and he brings a high level of creativity and enthusiasm to the group.
Medical Advisory Board
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![Lilia Graue]()
Lilia Graue, MD, LMFT
Dr. Lilia Graue is a physician, psychotherapist, coach, and grief tender in Mexico City, where she's practiced, lectured, and mentored for over 20 years in both Spanish and English. Her approach is collaborative, trauma sensitive, healing centered, and mindfulness and compassion based. She brings together radical care approaches to foster healing, and mentors healthcare professionals in engaging critical and feminist perspectives to promote justice and equity in medicine and healthcare. In addition to her work in chronic pain recovery, Dr. Graue has extensive experience in the fields of eating disorders and medical family therapy. Dr. Graue is available for educational mindbody medicine consultation by referral.
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Charlie Merrill, MSPT
Charlie Merrill is the owner of Merrill Performance in Boulder, CO where he's practiced, mentored, and taught manual therapy for over 20 years. In his practice, Charlie synthesizes traditional hands on care with a mind-body approach to treat a wide range of clients including some of the best runners, cyclists, rock climbers, and CrossFitters in the world. He now educates and mentors traditionally body oriented clinicians how to transition toward a more psychosocial approach to pain and function. He’s a content creator appearing on Podcasts, his channel on YouTube and is active on social media supporting people in pain. Charlie is actively involved in clinical research and consults in the technology space, currently with Lin.Health, a platform that aims to scale evidence based pain care.
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Howard Schubiner, MD
Dr. Howard Schubiner is one of the leading voices in the mind-body world and is a strong advocate for and practitioner of mind-body methods for healing chronic pain, migraines, and other chronic health issues. He received his MD from Wayne State University and completed residencies in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics; the Howard Schubiner Award given by the NMPRA to a resident in recognition for excellence in clinical care is named in his honor. He is a Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Dr. Schubiner is the author of three books: Unlearn Your Pain, Unlearn Your Anxiety and Depression, and Hidden From View, which was co-written with Allan Abbass, MD. He has also authored more than 100 publications in scientific journals and books, and he lectures regionally, nationally, and internationally.
