Acute and Chronic Physical Pain
As devastating as pain can be, it is a symptom…not the real problem.
Pain is how your body reacts to trauma. It occurs when nerve endings called pain receptors are activated by injury, illness or stress. At the Bernstein Institute for Trauma Treatment we don’t just treat the symptom, we treat the causes.
Key to the success of our treatment, and the basis for the healing that we achieve, is the understanding that physical pain and emotional pain are interconnected. In fact it is almost impossible to have one without the other.
That’s why we emphasize that our goal is healing the whole person.
At the Bernstein Institute for Trauma Treatment, we combine two proven, successful treatments for pain:
Bernstein Healing Protocols (BHP) psychotherapy treats the causes of emotional pain, also called emotional trauma. Bernstein Healing Protocols/Physical Release (BHP/MR) treats the causes of physical pain through bodywork that can also produce emotional and relational healing. These two proven, successful treatments for pain form a new healing modality that produces unprecedented results…
…results that are greater than those achieved by either modality when used separately.
We don’t just treat the pain, we go to the source and work to heal the causes.
Bernstein Institute for Trauma Treatment offers a range of modalities for treating pain
- Individual Psychotherapy
- BHP/MR
- Couples and Family Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Women’s Programs
- PTSD
- Anxiety, Depression & Grieving
- Acupuncture
We often encourage patients to engage in a number of alternative modalities to manage the current symptoms, while we work to uncover and treat the original trauma that is at the root of the patient’s condition. Our network includes both traditional and alternative practitioners including acupuncturists, chiropractors, specialists in diet and other forms of natural healing.
Our treatment regimens are flexible, and scheduled to meet your needs. Our professional staff is headed by Dr Peter M. Bernstein who supervises all treatment provided by the institute.
If you are looking for more than temporary relief from your chronic pain, contact us today and discover treatment that can change your life.
“Healing the Whole Person, emotionally and physically.”
Bernstein Healing Protocols/Physical Release Therapy
Bernstein Healing Protocols/Physical Release Therapy (BHP/MR) is a new healing modality which combines proven, successful treatments for pain: body-centered clinical psychotherapy, which treats the causes of emotional pain, and physical release physical therapy, which treats the causes of physical pain. Body-centered clinical psychotherapy is a proven psychological protocol that utilizes both conversation and body work to resolve emotional trauma. Physical release is a highly effective form of physical therapy that uses physical manipulation techniques to unwind and release tissues distorted by trauma. The Bernstein Institute’s method of BHP/MR produces unprecedented results, often lessening the need for psychotropic and pain medications.
Bodies distorted by trauma abound in symptoms such as uneven shoulders, misaligned hips, stiff necks and backs, tense jaws, and shallow breathing from tight chests. Until recently, it wasn’t fully appreciated that these symptoms could be the result of both emotional as well as physical trauma.
Body-centered clinical psychotherapy addresses armoring, the physical and emotional restrictions left in the body as a residue of traumatic experience. Dr. Bernstein has combined the best practices of several body-centered psychotherapy modalities to create his signature approach. Although body-centered clinical psychotherapy often includes some elements similar to physical therapy (such as cranial-sacral manipulation), Dr. Bernstein found these techniques to fall short of the comprehensive full-body approach of physical release physical therapy. BHP/MR is unique in that combining both therapies achieves results unobtainable when the protocols are employed independently.
BHP/MR sessions combine counseling with body-centered release techniques and unwinding, the latter consisting of gentle, physical manipulation of the twisted fascia while the therapist slowly and continuously guides the patient’s body to unwind. Patient feedback is essential to the treatment. The patient’s body often spontaneously suggests the ways it wants to release tension and return to its natural state. Since unwinding the fascia also releases memories of past emotional trauma, the patient experiences relief that leads to emotional as well as physical healing.
Body-centered clinical psychotherapy and physical release physical therapy, used independently, are extremely effective in bringing the patient a depth of healing that would never be attained by simply analyzing or verbalizing. Yet, when the two practices are combined, the results are even more extraordinary, and through continued application of the combined therapies, patients improve dramatically. When the old emotional material is finally released, the patient becomes “unstuck” and experiences a new openness and vulnerability. At this point of transformation, verbal and analytic psychotherapy can take on a major role in the healing process. The therapist, through experience and insight, helps the patient gain perspective, and – thanks to BHP/MR therapy – the depth of healing is much greater.
Team Treatment
At the Bernstein Institute, we use the team approach in all aspects of treatment including counseling and psychotherapy with patients as well as all bodywork.
When Dr. Bernstein was training in physical release physical therapy, one of the things that impressed him was the practice of working in teams. He saw that working in teams brings more healing to the patient in a shorter amount of time. That’s why, at the Institute, teamwork is a major part of our approach to healing.
Dr. Bernstein selects his staff members with care and carefully trains them in all aspects of treatment. Every staff member at the Institute is a highly qualified, certified professional as well as a compassionate, caring individual. Every practitioner at the Institute has also personally experienced Bernstein Healing Protocols (BHP) and Bernstein Healing Protocols/Physical Release (BHP/MR) therapy. Dr. Bernstein believes that patients can tell whether the people who work with them are addressing their own pain. He knows that his practitioners’ willingness to grow emotionally is vital to the integrity of the therapeutic process for the patient.
Staff members assist at every step of the treatment process. Dr. Bernstein carefully selects which members of his staff will work with each new patient. He recognizes that the presence of female staff members can be particularly supportive for new female patients. Patients benefit not only from the valuable physical skills of the staff, but also from their compassionate support and insights.
RESILIENCE & RENEWAL IN THE NURSING PROFESSION
Training Workshops
With Peter M. Bernstein, PhD, MFT, CMT
Founder & Director, Bernstein Institute for Trauma Treatment
and
Author, Trauma: Healing the Hidden Epidemic *(required reading for training)
INTRO – Level I
Learn the premise behind Bernstein Healing Protocols/Physical Release therapy (BHP/MR) and how it can help you heal from the physical and emotional stresses on the body. Part I of resilience and self-care for the nurse professional. Learn to become mindful of the negative energy you are taking on and how it affects you. You will experience BHP/MR hands-on-techniques that will benefit you.
16 CE Hours
INTERMEDIATE – Level II
Part II of resilience and self-care for the nurse professional and how to maintain it. Learn a deeper understanding of BHP/MR and the psychology of the body and what you can do to help yourself. Learn what triggers you and how to resolve it to maintain balance in your life. Gain a better understanding of yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
16 CE Hours
Bernstein Institute for Trauma Treatment is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 16448, for Contact Hours
PRICES:
Please call for pricing.
To register contact: Hilloah Levy, 707-781-3335, Ext. 5
Or Email: bernsteininstitute@gmail.com
A deposit of $100.00 is required with registration. Enrollment is limited. Arrangements for weekly payments during the workshop can be made with individual registrants, if needed. Fee includes workbook manual, handouts, hands-on workshop training, refreshments, and workshop CEU certificate of completion.
You may cancel your registration up to 10 days before the workshop. Your enrollment fee will be refunded less a $50.00 processing fee. If you cancel within 10 days or less of the workshop your payment will be applied to another scheduled workshop. We reserve the right to cancel any workshop, in which case the tuition fee will be returned in full.
LOCATION:
501 2nd Street, Petaluma, CA 94952
BHP/MR TRAINING WORKSHOP
REVITALIZE YOUR CAREER
“RESILIENCE & RENEWAL WITH BHP/MR”
Training Workshops
With Peter M. Bernstein, PhD, MFT, CMT
Founder & Director, Bernstein Institute for Trauma Treatment
and
Author, Trauma: Healing the Hidden Epidemic *(required reading for training)
INTRO – Level I
Learn the premise behind Bernstein Healing Protocols/Physical Release Therapy (BHP/MR) and how it can help you and your clients heal from the physical and emotional stresses on the body. Part I of resilience and self-care for the massage therapist/bodyworker. New, unique hands-on techniques will be taught using the team approach.
16 CE hours
INTERMEDIATE – Level II
Part II of resilience and self-care for the massage therapist/bodyworker and how to make it last. Learn a deeper understanding of BHP/MR and the psychology of the body and what you can do to help yourself. More advanced techniques using the team approach will be demonstrated and taught with time for hands-on-practice.
16 CE hours
Bernstein Institute for Trauma Treatment is approved by the NCBTMB as a CE provider #451793-11
PRICES:
Please call for pricing.
To register contact: Hilloah Levy, 707-781-3335, Ext. 5
Or Email: bernsteininstitute@gmail.com
Full payment is required to reserve space. Enrollment is limited. Fee includes workbook manual, handouts, hands-on workshop training, refreshments, and workshop certificate of completion.
You may cancel your registration up to 10 days before the workshop. Your enrollment fee will be refunded less a $50.00 processing fee. If you cancel within 10 days or less of the workshop your payment will be applied to another scheduled workshop. We reserve the right to cancel any workshop, in which case the tuition fee will be returned in full.
LOCATION:
501 2nd Street, Petaluma, CA 94952
Therapeutic Services
NEW OFFERINGS TO SERVE YOU
8-Week Therapy Package with 15% discount if paid in advance
Intensive BHP/MR Therapy with Peter Bernstein, PhD
Sexual Abuse Treatment
PTSD, TBI and Suicide Prevention Treatment
Mentoring and Coaching
Massage Therapy
Hydro-therapy
Group Treatment –
- Family
- Parenting
- Relationship
- Addiction
- PTSD, TBI for military and/or civilians
WE INVITE YOU TO….
Join us for health and healing in an environment that is warm and peaceful near the river in the Foundry Wharf area of Petaluma. The Institute has a lovely spa-like setting which includes waiting room and kitchen, treatment rooms, group and family therapy rooms, and massage therapy rooms. There is outside seating on the deck upstairs, and a lovely, planted patio off the waiting room with fountain and Jacuzzi.
Foundational to the Bernstein Institute is therapy treatment Dr. Peter Bernstein pioneered from many disciplines gathered over his 40-plus year career: Bernstein Healing Protocols (BHP) and Bernstein Healing Protocols/Physical Release (BHP/MR). This unique treatment combination produces truly effective, life-changing results in patients’ lives…healing both physically and emotionally.
New to the Bernstein Institute – Mentoring and Coaching
Many individuals would prefer to get help with setting goals for themselves and receiving the assistance in achieving them without going into therapy. Mentoring and Coaching offers a vehicle for analysis, reflection and action that ultimately enables the individual to achieve success in one or more areas of their life or work. Mentors and Coaches, Jenny Stevenson and Hilloah Levy have 10 years experience helping individuals work through life’s challenges.
The Bernstein Institute for Trauma Treatment offers a unique and revolutionary treatment for people in recovery. Our therapeutic approach goes deeper than conventional recovery treatment to help addicts address the core issues behind their addiction. Bernstein Healing Protocols (BHP) uses a combination of individual psychotherapy, family therapy, group and couples therapy, and our unique Bernstein Healing Protocols/Physical Release (BHP/MR) bodywork therapy. We help people struggling with the challenges of sober or drug-free living to discover and resolve the pain and trauma that led to their need for drugs or alcohol.
After completion of a residential treatment program, we understand there are difficulties in transitioning back into society. You have started to make some big changes in your life that are going to affect your family, your job and your relationships with people in general. There are old traps that you can fall back into that can cause relapse such as old habits, defenses, attitudes and temptations. These can easily sabotage your success toward full recovery. In order to survive, people act in ways which can be destructive to themselves and others. When survival is on the line, positive impulse control is essential. We at the Bernstein Institute for Trauma Treatment have the expertise in helping you through your difficult problems.
Whether your pain is emotional, physical, or a combination of the two, our work penetrates to the source and releases it, breaking the relapse cycle. Painful memories are held not only in the mind, but also in the body. Our addiction recovery therapy addresses the unconscious memories stored in the body at the cellular level. We will help you recognize the survival strategies and self-destructive patterns that are no longer working for you. As you begin to address and resolve your past traumas and conflicts, you will find that you can stop surviving and start living.
Who We Are
The Bernstein Institute team is a treatment group that works with you through every stage of your individualized out-patient program. Dr. Peter Bernstein, Founder and Director, heads up our addiction recovery team and is assisted by Addiction Specialist and CAADAC and NAADAC member, Armando Maliano. Our team also includes several medical professionals who are experts in poly-pharmaceutical addiction. They are skilled in helping people who want to safely taper off their addictive medications, wherever possible. Step by step our team will be here to help you – encouraging you, supporting you, accepting you in your struggle, as you continue on your path to health. The role of our team is to be like a loving family, acting as witnesses to your pain. Our team will help you by providing support, structure, empathy and accountability. Like a good family, we’ll help you learn the skills you need in order to make your life a success, in a setting of acceptance, safety and confidentiality. This time you will not be alone in your struggle.
Our program – Who it’s For and How It Works
Our program is for people who have completed a residential detox program and are starting out in recovery clean and sober. We treat people in “transition” as well as those who have been in recovery for some time. We also treat practitioners working in the addiction field. Our therapy will help you discover what you need to do and where you need to go personally, step by step. While being treated at the Institute, we encourage all clients to participate regularly in a social program such as AA or NA. You will benefit from every level of your work at the Institute.
Your addiction recovery therapy will be customized to your goals by our team of practitioners. Whether you want physical relief from your pain, help with impulse control or real life change, we can help you. Your therapy may include individual psychotherapy, trauma resolution and healing, family therapy, couples or group therapy, BHP/MR therapy, nutritional support to relieve physical and biochemical imbalances, and traditional or alternative medical consultations and treatment.
A vital component to our program includes working with families that are being affected by addicted members. We will help each person discover the dysfunctional roles they’ve been trapped in and the destructive patterns of relating that they have been repeating over and over. Where possible, our goal is to restore not just the person who suffers from addiction, but also to guide the family back to health and hope.
You must make a commitment to the recovery process. Our program is for people willing to do the work to keep growing, maturing and changing. This is essential for successful health and recovery.
