ABOUT ME

Hi :) I’m Lara, born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon. I’ve always had a passion for healthcare and well-being as I remember roaming between pharmacy rows and reading product labels for fun as a child. This is why I initially pursued a career in Pharmacy and completed my doctorate in Pharmacy at the Lebanese American University between Lebanon and the US.

Upon graduation, I worked in a community pharmacy during which I realized the following:

♡ First, more of a confirmation rather than a realization, how much I love to help people improve their health and well-being.

♡ Secondly, how many people were suffering from certain chronic neuroplastic symptoms, previously known as "psychosomatic" or "stress-related", and not finding relief despite consulting many healthcare professionals and trying many therapies.

♡ Lastly, how dealing with chronic pain and symptoms can make you feel so frustrated, hopeless, lonely and misunderstood - so much that it can literally take over your life.

Continued...

At that time, I was also suffering from chronic symptoms and was trying to find relief anywhere I could with no success. This is when I knew - hoped actually - that there had to be a solution.

A couple of years down the line, after a lot of research and self-quest, I came across trainings that provided me with the appropriate knowledge and tools to recover from my symptoms using the latest evidence-based neuroplasticity approach & mind-body principles, rooted in Dr Sarno's TMS* theory. What I loved about this was that not only did it help me heal my own symptoms but it also gave me the opportunity to support others who are suffering.

Now that I am a Certified Chronic Pain Practitioner & Coach, I became determined to help others break their own pain cycles - Request a complimentary introductory session through the Contact page.

I also made it my mission to spread awareness of this revolutionary approach — especially in parts of the world where resources are limited, like Lebanon — and to collaborate with others who share the same vision.

*TMS stands for Tension Myositis (later Myoneural) Syndrome which is the term initially used by Dr Sarno to describe all chronic symptoms that are neuroplastic under one big umbrella.

About Mind Over Pains

The name "Mind Over Pains" was chosen as a reference to Dr. John Sarno's initial book, "Mind Over Back Pain (1984)," since the approach is rooted in his foundational principles for addressing chronic symptoms.

This method solely emphasizes the mind's ability to alleviate symptoms through conscious decision-making and accurate knowledge. Understanding and accepting this concept is vital for achieving successful outcomes, serving as a pre-requisite for engaging with the approach.

The plural noun "pains" denotes the different types of chronic pain typically involved in this scope of work:

♡ Physical pain

♡Physical symptoms that are not necessarily painful but chronic and very debilitating such as skin and gastrointestinal issues

♡ Emotional pain - most importantly!

The three leaves in soothing colors, located at the base of the brain where the amygdala* is = the holistic approach through spirit, mind & body alignment that will help achieve less detection of “dangers”, thus less activation of pains

Roots = the contributing factors to pains - genetics, personalities, past traumas, environmental factors, life events

Tree shaped in the form of a brain = growth and healing, that is achieved solely by thinking and behaving differently

Dark trunk = the debilitating phase characterized by suffering and feelings of brokenness, anger, fear, frustration and hopelessness

*responsible for detecting danger and activating the sympathetic nervous system