Our Team

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.

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.

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).

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).

PSYCHOTHERAPIST & CHRONIC PAIN COACH

Lauren (she/her) is a psychotherapist, pain coach, and chronic pain survivor based in Los Angeles, CA. Through her own healing journey, she has learned that the brain's ability to change and adapt is profound. She approaches her client relationships with a social justice mindset and a focus on our shared humanity. Lauren understands how family, community, and societal systems each intersect to affect our physical and emotional well-being. She is also mindful of how each client's temperament and sensitivities cause them to experience the world differently. It is through this lens that she empowers her clients to compassionately explore what is happening in their minds and bodies. In addition to chronic pain, Lauren specializes in working with clients who experience trauma, anxiety, and depression.

Trained in: Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), The Change Triangle, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Problem Solving Therapy, Seeking Safety, and Trauma-Informed Mindfulness.

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).

PSYCHOTHERAPIST & CHRONIC PAIN COACH

Valentina (she/her) is an Armenian-American psychotherapist and pain coach based in Los Angeles, California. Valentina walks with her clients down a transformative path, helping them slow down, soothe their nervous systems, and create a deep sense of safety within their own bodies. Drawing from a rich tapestry of therapeutic modalities, Valentina employs a psychodynamic, strength-based approach rooted in somatic practices and mindfulness. Her therapeutic style is eclectic, embracing the wisdom of neurobiology and trauma-informed care. In addition to her mindbody focus, Valentina specializes in sexual pleasure, sexual pain, sexual wellness, and addressing various sexual dysfunctions. As a certified sexual assault crisis counselor, Valentina also has extensive experience providing compassionate therapy for survivors of sexual assault, utilizing evidence-based techniques.

Trained in: Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Problem Solving Therapy, Treating Sexual Dysfunction, Treating Sexual Pain, Meditation and Yoga Instructor.

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.

OUTREACH SPECIALIST

Laura Amrein (she/her) joins Better Mind Center's administrative team from Seattle, Washington.The theme of Laura's career is aiding people through times of transition. She has worked previously in higher education as an admissions counselor and academic advisor, helping students adapt to a new academic and social environment. Most recently, Laura worked in university recruiting, welcoming interns to their first professional experience in the tech world then managing a team of recruiters doing the same. In her role as BMC's Outreach Specialist, Laura connects directly with those exploring whether BMC is a good fit for their needs.

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.