Client Testimonials
“Lara Birk is truly gifted. She changed my life.”
“Dr. Birk’s Pain Reprocessing Therapy changed my life. Within two weeks, the daily headaches that had plagued me for years had dramatically decreased. Throughout the course of our weekly sessions, Dr. Birk gave me the tools I needed to heal from my chronic pain. Dr. Birk is kind and patient and adapts to your particular situation to provide a tailored plan that can work for you. She provided resources that were incredibly helpful for me to use outside of our sessions. I am very grateful for the care I received from Dr. Birk and would recommend her treatment to anyone suffering from chronic pain.”
Katie C., a former 1:1 client
(Katie’s recent email update: “I have had almost no migraines for the past 3 months. It really is amazing! I can’t thank you enough.”)
“Lara, we appreciate the magnificent job you’ve done as the facilitator of our group: you have been masterfully unobtrusive in providing an example of leading with love, extending gentle invitations to share (thus giving us the opportunity to inspire each other with our vulnerability and courage), yet rising up with clarity and guidance when needed to keep us focused on moving forward and on the path of mutual improvement and cohesion. I like to think that each of us will go on to become a version of you… impromptu ambassadors for Growth and Hope that whatever ails those we meet is indeed, curable.”
L.M., a former group participant
“I just wanted to thank you so much for your incredible free resources. I listened to your Live Event on Curable which I found incredibly helpful and now I am making my way through all the free resources on your website. I am about two years into MindBody work and have had good success but a recent setback has made me dive back into all the resources I found helpful and much more including yours. I love your somatic tracking with the ‘toggling’ back and forwards from positive to more scary sensations. It feels incredibly safe, reassuring and self-compassionate. My new mantra is “I am not aftraid of the storms..” Also as you say the Emojis keep the visual really simple and effective. So thank you - this is profound and transformational and makes me feel I can sail my ship with confidence and skill.”
J.M. (UK), a user of Lara’s somatic tracking recordings
”I recently had the pleasure of working with Lara over a five-week span and I can confidently say that our time together was truly transformative for me. Having dealt with chronic pelvis/hip pain for ten years now, Lara's sage guidance and support helped me reframe my perception of pain, shifting it from an overwhelming obstacle instead into a conquerable fear.
We went over a ton of helpful topics during our time together, but the idea that resonated with me the most was the concept of 'starting messy,' which encourages you to take action even if the circumstances around you aren’t pristine. This approach helped lower the stakes for me and demonstrated that progress can be achieved even amidst chaos or imperfection. Lara’s insight into embracing incremental progress, small as it might be, has brought a newfound sense of ease and accomplishment into my life, both physically and professionally. “Better to start messy than not to start at all” or “the world does not fall apart if you meet basic expectations” were helpful mantras we frequently found ourselves returning to.
Lara’s emphasis on self-trust and agency in managing chronic pain has been invaluable and is one of the primary pillars I now lean on weeks after our sessions have concluded. Her wisdom, rooted in her own experience with chronic pain, shines through in every session as she intelligently and empathetically navigates you towards a deeper understanding of your body and its needs. Through our discussions, I’ve learned the importance of the observer mindset and self-compassion and the profound medicinal impacts each can have on your body.
I am deeply grateful for Lara’s support and expertise, and I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking guidance on their own pain journey. Rest assured, what you’re going through now doesn’t need to remain permanent.”
Peter B., a former 1:1 client
“Lara gave me hope that I could reduce the toll of chronic pain on my life, and then delivered above and beyond what I ever could have imagined. After a more than decade-long journey with chronic pain, including surgery, I had felt like I had exhausted every avenue possible to treat my chronic pain. Lara not only proved me wrong, but gave me profound insights into the causes of my pain and a new and effective approach to healing. Her understanding of chronic pain from both clinical and emotional perspectives is unmatched. She is also an excellent listener and educator. I can’t recommend her enough.”
Michelle T., a former 1:1 client
“Lara has been an absolute lifesaver! I have had chronic facial pain for years now. I have had every medical test and I have seen every medical doctor. I have tried it all. I felt hopeless and truly felt that I was all out of options. Lara made me feel hopeful again. She helped me realize that pain is not my enemy. My pain is there to help me take better care of myself. Now that I have a more positive take on my pain, I am better able to manage it. Not only did Lara help me find tools to manage my pain, but she also made me feel less alone. She made me feel safe and listened to. I am beyond grateful for her. Anyone would be lucky to have Lara in their life.”
Andrea S., a former 1:1 client
“I was telling a friend today about how, from the beginning, Lara drew us all into a practice of resonating with each other and supporting each other. Some groups are leader-centric, but Lara has the gift of creating the kind of group where we all learn to count on each other, to see our similarities, to rely on each other. At the same time, she created such safety for each of us and modeled the healing we can look forward to. We were so lucky to have Lara as our facilitator.”
P.M., a former group participant
“Lara really helped me identify my behavioral and thinking patterns that were keeping me stuck in chronic pain. She has a wealth of information for tools to help you be happier and healthier. Her positive attitude and compassionate listening is inspiring and you can feel that she really cares for the people she works with. I am so grateful for the time I spent in sessions with her as it changed my life. In my journey to deal with chronic pain Lara was my shining star.”
Jascha S., a former 1:1 and group client
"Lara's approach to healing integrates neuroscience, emotional processing, and the identification of learned patterns that contribute to chronic symptom presentation. She gently guides her clients to uncover beliefs and behaviors that put the nervous system on high alert. Through our work together, I have become more self-aware, more resilient, and more empowered in my own healing journey. I am so grateful to work with Lara and garner her wisdom- she is an expert in mind-body medicine!"
K.C., a group participant
“Lara feels like a guardian angel, the dearest of friends, and a wise mentor as she helps me learn to live with the aftermath of a life-changing stroke. I was just beginning to work with the Curable app and heard her being interviewed by Dr. John Stracks. She told the story of her terrible injury as a teen-ager, accompanied by years of ongoing pain and scores of surgeries, and, yet, she seemed to have such resilience and confidence in how we can use our minds to create a happy life for ourselves, in spite of our pain. Rather than getting lost in defining pain’s origin, she emphasized how it was entirely possible for us to have agency to make a choice of where we go from here. She was incredibly knowledgable and seemed so kind and empathetic that I contacted her immediately.
I have been doing one-on-one coaching sessions with Lara for many months now, and have recently been part of a weekly small group with her. I now have a notebook of all the resources she has brought to my attention in the form of podcasts, books, neuroscience, and mindfulness strategies. She is so knowledgeable and focuses on suggesting tools and strategies to manage the pain and suffering. I always take away a new perspective, a new approach. She is so gentle and compassionate—even in a Zoom call, I can feel her heart hurting with me. She is helping me gain confidence in my own inner strength, and knows me well enough by now to build on the history I’ve shared with her. It feels like she’s a mirror to my best and highest self that I haven’t seen. She is truly gifted."
Rebecca B., a 1:1 and group client
“Working with Lara one -to-one and in a group setting has truly been game changing. The way Lara listens and facilitates with patience and the kindness that we are all trying to practice on ourselves, is really effective and inspiring. Lara explains the science and the tools behind this type of healing so it is meaningful and understandable. Even though I am still in the midst of healing, this work has had a huge impact (already) on my issues that include back pain, pelvic pain, digestive issues and throat discomfort. Highly recommend working with Lara as a form of therapy or a supplement to your own therapy.”
Terri D., a 1:1 and group client
“Lara's guidance has empowered me to find my own tools to improve my outlook and find joy despite struggling with persistent chronic tooth pain. She was respectful and empathetic in all our sessions while challenging me to find healthier ways to respond to my pain. Her methodology is flexible, rigorous in its research, and not limited by any dogmatic philosophy or proprietary system, a hard thing to find in the mind body space. She also skillfully facilitated and organized a support group which I took part in. Her role as the group leader helped each individual come to their own realizations while creating a cohesive conversation for everyone involved. Of the many clinicians, therapists, and coaches I have interacted with, Lara is the best when it comes to figuring out how to live a meaningful life while struggling with chronic pain.”
Mike B., a former 1:1 and group client
“Lara is a highly skilled group facilitator who creates a safe and empowering space for us to grow and cultivate relationships with each other. I have been able to experiment with new ways of being in myself, in the world, and with others, which has helped me feel safer, more connected, more confident and in less pain.”
Martha P., a group client
“I've been fortunate to work with Lara in both group and one-on-one settings, and both experiences have greatly contributed to my healing journey. The group experience was particularly profound and supportive, standing out as one of the most valuable therapeutic experiences I've ever had. Lara not only possesses an exceptional talent for listening and facilitating but also excels at bringing together individuals who truly complement one another on this path of growth and recovery.
In my one-on-one coaching sessions with Lara, I continue to gain practical skills that I can put into immediate use, as well as deeper insights. On the practical side, Lara has a unique talent for blending comfortable tools and strategies with those that provide a reasonable challenge, ensuring a balanced and effective approach. On a broader scale, a significant breakthrough occurred when my initial hip pain evolved into foot discomfort and later into tinnitus. Through Lara's support, I was able to see these physical sensations as part of a larger pattern—a pattern that has manifested itself throughout different phases of my life. This newfound awareness not only helped me understand how profoundly my physical and emotional experiences are interconnected but also provided me with a valuable means for self-reflection and, ultimately, personal growth.
I give Lara the highest recommendation as an individual and group coach!”
Diana E., a 1:1 client and former group participant
“Lara has been integral to my healing process. Her professional, warm, caring, authentic way of coaching is unique. I had the opportunity to work individually and in a group setting with Lara. She has the ability to teach & coach in a way that has guided me to learn, grow, and most of all be able to love and live a full and rich life. Experiencing (guided somatic) trackings with Lara has been the most deeply healing - Lara is an expert and guides in a nonjudgmental way that has allowed me to go into my body and truly understand my chronic symptoms. This is the “WORK” that heals. I highly recommend Lara. She is a true gift to the world.”
Lisa G., a 1:1 and group client
“I’m so grateful that I followed my intuition and began working with Lara. Part of it is Lara’s background and experience, of course — but I didn’t choose her because of that. There are hundreds of good coaches and therapists who also know what they’re talking about. I chose Lara because she has actually put that knowledge to work in her own life. She’s walked the walk. She’s been where I am. She spent years in suffering and pain, walking through the dark tunnel. And through great courage and persistence found the light at the other end. That’s the kind of courage and persistence I wanted in my life. I wanted that courageous energy to be reflected back to me during our work together. There’s nothing more compelling than that.
Lara has a way of being so deeply and non-judgmentally present that you literally create a safe space for deeper sharing. And in that space of sharing is where the magic happens. It feels almost like going on an adventure with a friend. It’s a space of trust. Lara’s clear, supportive reflections are often like looking in the mirror and seeing myself for the first time.
Working with Lara has been a complete and utter joy. With every session I feel more whole and complete, more peaceful and comfortable in my own skin. I’ve made amazing breakthroughs and discoveries about myself that I would never have uncovered on my own, and living those new realizations is shifting my life for the better in ways both large and small. (How many people do you know who are saying they feel reborn at age 76? :-))”
Brandt, a former 1:1 client
Testimonials about Lara’s Group Facilitation Skills
“Lara is brilliant and made a very difficult job look very easy.”
“I consider it no less than divine intervention that my path crossed with Lara’s in this fortuitous way. She modeled a compassionate and supportive presence so beautifully in our time together. I feel well on my way to more self-compassionate living.”
“Lara is amazing and very talented.”
“Lara Birk is a skilled, delightful facilitator - incisive and kind.”
“Thank you so much to Lara for all the support over the last 12 weeks. Both her personal story with chronic pain and her facilitation skills are truly inspiring. I'm brand new to facilitated groups like that but Lara has a real talent for naturally/effortlessly bringing the most out of all the participants - certainly not an easy task when you're bringing together people of all different backgrounds facing some of the biggest challenges of their life. Lara made each and every session all about the group further empowering each of us on our individual healing journeys.”
“I am so grateful to have met Lara and had her as our facilitator and mentor. She is such a calm and kind person, and I am sure it was because of her personality and skills that our group was so successful. It was a new experience for me to be vulnerable in a group. I will always remember her and the impact she had on my life. I have tears in my eyes as I am writing this.”
“Lara was amazing. I have done a lot of programs over the years and Lara is a pro. She nurtured a safe, trusting environment for us to expore and grow.”
“I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say that Lara Birk made our Curable Journey very special and that Curable is very lucky to have her.”
“Lara was an absolutely amazing as a facilitator; I just loved her! She was very attentive and engaged in each person’s comments. She was a very empathetic and supportive facilitator. She did a great job presenting the material - very well-spoken and engaging. She seems like a wonderful person also.”
“Lara is just a wonderful facilitator and so knowledgeable and able to distill what is going on with each of us.”
“Lara was absolutely brilliant and I will really miss her!”
“Lara is an amazing facilitator. I feel so fortunate to have been in her group.”
“I appreciated Lara very much; she is a kind and gentle soul that could relate to all of us with empathy but also was a great example of how to give and help others without losing yourself.”
All quotations from Curable Groups exit surveys from participants who had Lara as their Group Facilitator
“What a breath of fresh air! This was the first thought that crossed my mind after participating in a group coaching session with Dr. Lara Birk. I had just poured my heart and soul out in describing a particularly difficult family situation. Others in the group offered kind comments which were gratefully received. And then, Lara offered her observations and insights in such a kind gentle way that I felt that someone had really heard me and had listened intently. Her insights were spot on as she offered a new way of looking at an old issue. I felt such relief as I was able to pivot my focus in a new direction that offered hope. Lara has a unique ability to see the big picture and then pinpoint the patterns that trigger behaviors that result in conflicts, tension and often physical distress. Her patience is endless and her approach is one of kindness. She recognizes and brings out the best attributes in her clients and instills a sense of confidence as she coaches them to take steps toward overcoming fears and planning for their next best step toward a desired goal. She knows this well as she herself has overcome major obstacles in her own life and is a living testimony that the SAGE Practice does work well. I highly recommend Dr. Lara Birk as a coach for anyone who wants to embrace change in their lives by moving forward and releasing the past. She is an excellent guide for undertaking the intrepid journey of personal transformation.”
M. Robertaccio, MBA, CPA
“I have walked alongside Lara in our mindbody healing journeys for over a year. I have watched her not only transform her own mindbody, but also gain great courage and confidence in her ability to help others through the same process. She has increased her physical abilities and boundaries demonstrating tremendous inner strength and resilience to successfully switch the focus from symptoms to fully embracing life and thriving. Lara emanates a kind, gentle spirit combined with vast experience and education that creates an encouraging, confident, and knowledgeable coach. Because she has walked this journey with her own health struggles, she knows firsthand what is required to coach others with chronic health issues to help them regain their life and their spark. Lara has navigated many bumps along the healing path which makes her uniquely qualified to offer healing guidance and support. Lara continues to provide uplifting support for me, as the healing journey is ongoing. I highly recommend Lara as a mindbodywellness expert to lead you out of the pit of your symptoms to reclaim the full life that’s awaiting you!”
Stacey Dicks
Testimonials from Lara's Students
Lara used to be Professor Birk and taught sociology for ten years, before moving into this field.
