Sage Groups
Learn. Grow. Heal. Together.
“I know I have a long pathway ahead of me, but as we were talking about today, there is really no finish line - no "arrival" - only the tools and learning that are going to be key to living a full, open-hearted life going forward.” — Emilie Wilcox
Upcoming Groups:
Please note that all groups are suitable for those with any kind of symptoms (pain, fatigue, IBS, migraine, dizziness, etc.), including any symptoms arising from structural conditions. Happy to have all of you!
SUMMER 2025:
Developing a S.A.G.E. Mindset (Suitable for both “intro” and “advanced” participants, and inclusive of those with any structural issues). 8 Wednesdays 11am-12pm June 25 - August 13 (ONLY ONE SPOT LEFT). To request the spot, email Lara.
FALL 2025:
Pain & People Pleasing: 10 Wednesdays 1-2pm ET September 3 - November 5. Geared toward those with at least a basic level of familiarity with this kind of work.
MindBody Strategies co-taught with Malissa Durbin, LMHC: 10 Tuesdays 1-2:30pm ET September 16 - November 13. Details coming soon.
WINTER 2025:
Developing a S.A.G.E. Mindset: Dates TBD.
Sage Group Grads: Dates TBD. For people who have taken one of my previous Sage Groups or classes and would like a ‘refresher’ and continued support. Details coming soon.
Questions or to Register: Email Lara.
“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.” — Anonymous Curable Groups participant
Course Details: Developing a S.A.G.E. Mindset
Course Description:
The course is designed for individuals living with pain or other chronic symptoms, including those with a combination of both structural and neuroplastic pain/symptoms. In truth, the "S.A.G.E." methods we cover are also deeply applicable to anxiety & mental anguish, in addition to physical symptoms.
You will get 8 weekly one-hour live group sessions on Zoom, short video lessons, links to educational resources, frequent reflection prompts & “food for thought,” as well as suggested practices to help you integrate what you learn into your own day to day life. Moreover, you can rest assured you will find understanding, camaraderie, and support among your fellow participants (including your instructor), who will just "get" it because they too have lived it.
Group coaching is not only more cost-effective than 1-1 coaching, but it also provides unique opportunities for learning and growth from the perspectives and experiences of each of your fellow participants. To enable ample sharing, rich discussions, and actual practice, the course will be capped at 8 participants.
In pain reprocessing therapy, learning is therapeutic. And Lara believes that learning together is not only therapeutic, but can also be - according to previous participants - "fun," "supportive," "inspiring," "bonding," and "transformative. " Groups, especially when well-run, are a powerful catalyst for healing and transformation.
Cost:
The Early Bird price of $500 while the Regular price is $600. Payments accepted via Venmo or Zelle (PayPal if you are outside of the US).
Course Reviews:
* "I learned so much about myself and really looked forward to each week because our discussions were so engaging and felt so healing."
* “The group has been a safe space to share insights with other people on a similar path as me. It made me feel stronger, and much less lonely.”
* “This [experience] turned out to be both deep and fun - I did not expect that! We bonded over our shared pain but we also laughed a lot together, which was very cathartic.”
If you would like to request a spot, please EMAIL LARA and share a few sentences about your current struggle, whether or not you believe you have 'structural' issues in addition to neuroplastic, and your familiarity with the concept of neuroplastic symptoms. In previous groups, those who have benefitted the most are those who come ready to actively engage and put in real effort.
Course Details: People Pleasing & Pain
Course Description:
Calling All Recovering People Pleasers, Perfectionists, Harsh Self-Critics, & Boundary-Challenged Folks!
The course is designed for individuals living with pain or other chronic symptoms, including those with a combination of both structural and neuroplastic pain/symptoms. Please note: we will not focus on the symptoms, rather the personality tendencies that play into them.
10 weekly one-hour live group sessions on Zoom, short video lessons, links to educational resources, frequent reflection prompts & suggested practices to help you integrate what you learn into your own day to day life.
We will be talking about on what the mindbody field often calls personality “traits” associated with chronic symptoms. Lara prefers to call these ADAPTIVE STRATEGIES developed in one’s early life to cope with one’s interpersonal, social, and cultural environment, but which tend to be MAL-ADAPTIVE in adulthood. Find strategies that better suit who and where you are in our lives today.
Cost:
The course fee is $600. Payments accepted via Venmo or Zelle (PayPal if you are outside of the US).
To Register: If you would like to request a spot, please EMAIL LARA and share a few sentences about your current situation and your familiarity with the concept of neuroplastic symptoms. In previous groups, those who have benefitted the most are those who come ready to actively engage and put in real effort.
Your Instructor
Ph.D. Boston College, Sociology (Areas: Medical Sociology & Sociology of Education)
M.A. Tufts University, Educational Studies (Areas: Race, Class, Gender & Disability)
B.A. Amherst College, Sociology (Phi Beta Kappa; Magna cum Laude)
Additional Trainings:
Advanced Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) Certifications, Health & Wellness Coaching Certification specializing in pain coaching, as well as trainings with Lorimer Moseley, Curable Health, Richard Schwartz, Jon Kabat-Zinn, among others.
Experience:
Over a decade as a professor of sociology (specializing in medical sociology), scholar, and author on the social experience of those with pain; five years as a mindbody empowerment and pain reprocessing (PRT) coach helping clients develop agency, self-trust, and skills for calming nervous system activation & related symptoms; almost five years as a Curable Groups facilitator, and more recently, a Curable Expert giving talks and teaching Curable Classes (facilitating small group discussions with people living with chronic symptoms).
What People Are Saying
“I wanted to let you know that I've gotten so much out of both the meetings and your emails so far. It's really helped me to reframe what I'm going through and to continue to learn more about what my body is telling me as well as how it works at a more essential level. Even though I was super active before this, I never thought much about what my body truly needed. I kind of used it like a tool, and when it wasn't "working" I would get frustrated, kick it around even more and then expect it to work better. Now, I am so grateful to my body for what she has carried me through and want to honour what she needs. I know I have a long pathway ahead of me, but as we were talking about today, there is really no finish line - no "arrival" - only the tools and learning that are going to be key to living a full, open-hearted life going forward.” — Emilie Wilcox
"I learned so much about myself and really looked forward to each week because our discussions were so engaging and felt healing."
“Lara is the best teacher around. Hands down. She offered me the tools and with them, I transformed my life.” — Maddy P.
“The group has been a safe space to share insights with other people on a similar path as me. It made me feel stronger, and much less lonely.”
“This [experience] turned out to be both deep and fun - I did not expect the fun part! We bonded over our shared pain but we also laughed a lot together, which was very cathartic.”
