Dr. Brenda Lau receives the 2026 Doug Cochrane Leadership in Quality Award
Changepain Clinic is proud to share that our Medical Director, Dr. Brenda Lau, has been selected as the 2026 recipient…
LEADERSHIP
PAIN SPECIALISTS
ALLIED HEALTH CLINICIANS
GMV FACILITATORS
Read more about Dr. Brenda Lau
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Dr. Brenda Lau
MD, FRCPC, FFPMANZCA, MM, CGIMS, CIPS
Founder & Medical Director | Pain Specialist and Anesthesiologist | FRCPC Founder (Pain Medicine)
Dr. Brenda Lau is a Pain Specialist and Anesthesiologist practicing in Vancouver and Surrey, BC with over 20 years experience in both. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada and Fellow of the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Australia & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists after completing a two year Pain Medicine fellowship and Master of Medicine degree in Sydney, Australia subspecializing in interventional pain management and multi-disciplinary team care.
In 2013, she co-founded Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic, a Vancouver based pain centre that provides multi-disciplinary pain care for myofascial, spine, neuropathic, complex regional pain syndrome, headache, pelvic, visceral, post-surgical, post-trauma, chronic diseases, and post-cancer. She and her team specializes in the prevention and early recovery from injury. . This is now a UBC fellowship training site with capacity for up to 6 fellows. The clinic has 70 staff and clinicians. It is recognized as one of Chronic Pain Centres of Excellence by Veterans Affairs of Canada.
Brenda is passionate about resolving chronic pain through therapies supporting prevention, pre-habilitation and early recovery after injury.
She is passionate about women's health and pain, and the intersections of emotional governance, brain health, mind mastery, noetic healing and quantum brain.
She is a certified hypnotherapist and integrates this in her full interventional pain practice at Changepain and anesthesiology practice at Surrey Memorial Hospital.
She has led numerous national, provincial and hospital based initiatives to improve understanding of pain, improve pain treatments, and improve pain care training.
After her 3 year pain fellowship and masters degree, she restarted her anesthesiology and pain practice in 2008 at Surrey Memorial Hospital and led the development of the multidisciplinary pain clinic at Surrey’s Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre as its first Medical Director. In 2011, she became the first chair of the Fraser Health Authority region wide pain services division supporting the development of various acute and chronic pain services across 10 FHA hospital sites.
Brenda was a founder and board member of, and continues to contribute to, the Pain BC Society that formed in 2008. She has also been involved in several province-wide services including the Providence Health Care RACE Pain hotline, co-chaired the Pain Practice Support Program, helped create the BC Women’s Hospital Chronic Pelvic Pain program and was the medical lead on regional pain initiatives in Northern Health Authority and FraserHealth Authority.
To improve training standards and opportunities for physicians, since 2008 she has been working with the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada as one of the founding members of the sub-specialty of Pain Medicine which was approved in 2013. In 2015, Brenda became the first Program Director of the newest UBC residency program of Pain Medicine.
She feels deeply fulfilled with spending time with her family, cooking for friends, exploration through travel, winding up and down with music, and immersing in kundalini and power flow yoga, biking, skiing and sailing.
Credentials
- Co-founder and Medical Director, Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic
- Clinical Associate Professor, UBC Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics
- Founder and Specialty Committee member, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Sub-specialty of Pain Medicine
- Co-founder PainBC society
- Interventional Pain Specialist, Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic
- Anesthesiologist, Surrey Memorial Hospital
Dr. Brenda Lau
Co-founder & Medical Director
Read more about Dr. Lindsay Rite
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Dr. Lindsay Rite
BSc(Kin), CSEP-CEP
Director of Integrative Services | Chiropractor, Kinesiologist, Exercise Physiologist | Clinical Facilitator Surgical Patient Optimization Program
Dr. Lindsay Rite is the Director of Integrative Health at Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic (CPC). She acts to oversee the clinic’s Allied Health and Rehabilitation Team, Pain Programs, and Pain Neuroscience Education Services. Simultaneously she maintains a Chiropractic practice and assists with Physician-led Shared Care pain consultations. She has advanced training in movement and exercise therapy and is a Registered Kinesiologist and CSEP Clinical Exercise Physiologist.
Dr. Rite takes an empowering approach to care for her patients. Personalized education and active therapy prescription is a significant part of her practice. She is trained in multiple manual techniques and utilizes a diversity of hands on and instrumented assisted therapies to aid in alleviating pain and suffering in her patients. She is experienced in assessing and treating complex pain with much of her practice focused on those with widespread pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, CRPS, central sensitivity syndromes, or other persistent pain conditions and related comorbidities.
Dr. Rite’s research and professional initiatives extend beyond her work at CPC. She played an integral role in the development of the pain management joint program between the BCCA and Pain BC. Similarly, with Pain BC, she has participated in various collaboratives including the BC ECHO for Chronic Pain, Resource Data Base Initiative, Psychosocial Community of Practice, and was a Reviewer for the Pain Foundations Course. She co-lead the first Military Veterans Alpine Challenge, and continues to contribute to the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans (CPCoE) collaborative. Additionally, she has also contributed to various research publications at Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic.
She has previously acted as a Best Practice Collaborator with the CCGI, she was the Vice Chair for the Patients Relation Committee of the CCBC, an Examiner with the CCEB, and an active member of the BC Chiropractic Practice-Based Research Network.
In addition to her work in chronic pain, she is experienced in sport management. She has been part of the Integrated Sports Team for various teams including Athletics at the Pan American Games, Rugby Sevens Fijian championship team, and Canada West Wrestling athletes.
Dr. Rite not only supports her patients in developing an active and wholehearted lifestyle but enjoys living it herself. In her free time, you can find her in the local mountains enjoying our BC trails and nature.
Certifications:
- Chiropractor
- Registered Kinesiologist
- CSEP Certified Exercise Physiologist
- CSEP Certified Personal Trainer
- Sports First Responder
- S-FMA Selective Functional Movement Assessment Level 1
- Active Release Techniques® (Lower and Upper Extremity) Provider
- Functional Anatomical Palpation® Provider (Upper and Lower Limb & Spine)
- Kinesio Taping Certified Provider
- M1 Graston Techniques® Provider
Dr. Lindsay Rite
Director of Integrative Health
Read more about Dr. Micah Burns
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Dr. Micah Burns
MD, FAHS
Director of Fellowship and training programs
Micah Burns is a fellowship-trained, board-certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain physician. Originally from St Petersburg, Florida, he completed his medical school at University College of Dublin where he graduated with honors. Micah's anesthesia residency took place at New York Medical College where he was appointed chief resident during his final year.
He was also recognized as Resident of the Year at graduation. He completed three fellowships after residency, including pediatric anesthesia (Dupont Hospital for Children, Wilmington DE), interventional pain medicine and adult chronic pain (New York University, NY NY) and pediatric complex pain (BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver).
He continues his work at British Columbia Children's Hospital as an anesthesiologist and acute pain physician. Having had a variety of learning environments, Micah brings a unique view to the practice of pain medicine.
Starting with a strong basis in physiology, he approaches his patients from a holistic viewpoint; using interventions as a means to optimize the body's natural rhythms.
When he's not at changepain, Micah is with his wife and young child. He reads voraciously, plays racquetball adequately, exercises regularly, and sleeps 8 hours a night.
Micah’s clinics open in January 2020.
Dr. Micah Burns
Director of Fellowship and training programs
Read more about Akbar Bayat
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Akbar Bayat
Operations Director
Akbar is a seasoned healthcare professional with over 20 years of clinical experience in Canada as a senior clinical educator and administrator at various health care organizations, including Fraser Health Authority.
Akbar is dedicated to improving patient care and supporting healthcare professionals through education and leadership. With a decade of experience at the Change Pain Clinic.
Akbar has developed expertise in pain management and multidisciplinary approaches to patient treatment. Passionate about advancing healthcare practices, Akbar continues to contribute to the field through innovation, mentorship, and a commitment to excellence in patient care.
Akbar Bayat
Operations Director
Compassionate Pain Expertise
Our Pain Specialist team consists of medical specialties including pain medicine, anesthesiology, addiction medicine, public health, psychiatry, interventional pain medicine, internal medicine, occupational medicine, integrative medicine, rheumatology, physiatry, and family medicine as well as pain-specialized family medicine.
Interventional Pain Specialists – Anesthesiologist:
Read more about Dr. Micah Burns
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Dr. Micah Burns
MD, FAHS
Interventional Pain Specialist
Micah Burns is a fellowship-trained, board-certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain physician. Originally from St Petersburg, Florida, he completed his medical school at University College of Dublin where he graduated with honors. Micah's anesthesia residency took place at New York Medical College where he was appointed chief resident during his final year.
He was also recognized as Resident of the Year at graduation. He completed three fellowships after residency, including pediatric anesthesia (Dupont Hospital for Children, Wilmington DE), interventional pain medicine and adult chronic pain (New York University, NY NY) and pediatric complex pain (BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver).
He continues his work at British Columbia Children's Hospital as an anesthesiologist and acute pain physician. Having had a variety of learning environments, Micah brings a unique view to the practice of pain medicine.
Starting with a strong basis in physiology, he approaches his patients from a holistic viewpoint; using interventions as a means to optimize the body's natural rhythms.
When he's not at changepain, Micah is with his wife and young child. He reads voraciously, plays racquetball adequately, exercises regularly, and sleeps 8 hours a night.
Micah’s clinics open in January 2020.
Dr. Micah Burns
Interventional Pain Specialist
Read more about Dr. Brenda Lau
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Dr. Brenda Lau
MD, FRCPC, FFPMANZCA, MM, CGIMS, CIPS
Interventional Pain specialist
Dr. Brenda Lau is a Pain Specialist and Anesthesiologist practicing in Vancouver and Surrey, BC with over 20 years experience in both. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada and Fellow of the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Australia & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists after completing a two year Pain Medicine fellowship and Master of Medicine degree in Sydney, Australia subspecializing in interventional pain management and multi-disciplinary team care.
In 2013, she co-founded Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic, a Vancouver based pain centre that provides multi-disciplinary pain care for myofascial, spine, neuropathic, complex regional pain syndrome, headache, pelvic, visceral, post-surgical, post-trauma, chronic diseases, and post-cancer. She and her team specializes in the prevention and early recovery from injury. . This is now a UBC fellowship training site with capacity for up to 6 fellows. The clinic has 70 staff and clinicians. It is recognized as one of Chronic Pain Centres of Excellence by Veterans Affairs of Canada.
Brenda is passionate about resolving chronic pain through therapies supporting prevention, pre-habilitation and early recovery after injury.
She is passionate about women's health and pain, and the intersections of emotional governance, brain health, mind mastery, noetic healing and quantum brain.
She is a certified hypnotherapist and integrates this in her full interventional pain practice at Changepain and anesthesiology practice at Surrey Memorial Hospital.
She has led numerous national, provincial and hospital based initiatives to improve understanding of pain, improve pain treatments, and improve pain care training.
After her 3 year pain fellowship and masters degree, she restarted her anesthesiology and pain practice in 2008 at Surrey Memorial Hospital and led the development of the multidisciplinary pain clinic at Surrey’s Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre as its first Medical Director. In 2011, she became the first chair of the Fraser Health Authority region wide pain services division supporting the development of various acute and chronic pain services across 10 FHA hospital sites.
Brenda was a founder and board member of, and continues to contribute to, the Pain BC Society that formed in 2008. She has also been involved in several province-wide services including the Providence Health Care RACE Pain hotline, co-chaired the Pain Practice Support Program, helped create the BC Women’s Hospital Chronic Pelvic Pain program and was the medical lead on regional pain initiatives in Northern Health Authority and FraserHealth Authority.
To improve training standards and opportunities for physicians, since 2008 she has been working with the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada as one of the founding members of the sub-specialty of Pain Medicine which was approved in 2013. In 2015, Brenda became the first Program Director of the newest UBC residency program of Pain Medicine.
She feels deeply fulfilled with spending time with her family, cooking for friends, exploration through travel, winding up and down with music, and immersing in kundalini and power flow yoga, biking, skiing and sailing.
Credentials
- Co-founder and Medical Director, Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic
- Clinical Associate Professor, UBC Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics
- Founder and Specialty Committee member, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Sub-specialty of Pain Medicine
- Co-founder PainBC society
- Interventional Pain Specialist, Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic
- Anesthesiologist, Surrey Memorial Hospital
Dr. Brenda Lau
Interventional Pain Specialist
Read more about Dr. Dheshnie Thangavelu
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Dr. Dheshnie Thangavelu
MBBCh(Wits), DA(SA), FCA(SA), MD, FRCPC
Interventional Pain specialist
Dr. Thangavelu is a South African trained, Canadian certified anesthesiologist who has worked in South Africa, England as well as Canada for the past 20 years perfecting her craft as an anesthesiologist.
Her interest in pain management started when she, herself developed chronic pain and she has successfully managed to think outside the box and help heal her pain and keep it controlled for the past 4 years.
Having started off as a trauma anesthesiologist in South Africa, she learned that she had a passion for intensive care and cardiothoracics while working in England.
While being a chronic pain patient herself for over 12 years, she soon learnt that Canada was severely lacking in adequate ways to effectively manage chronic pain patients and that is where her interest in pain management began.
She has successfully managed to help so many of her patients control their pain, and some might say she has the “magic touch”!
Dr Thangavelu is currently the Head of Anesthesia at the BC Cancer agency in Vancouver and the previous program director for medical students back in South Africa as well as in Prince Albert, SK. Her passion for learning and teaching is what makes so compassionate towards all her patients.
Dr Thangavelu has a wicked sense of humour and in her free time loves spending time with her dog, paddle boarding, biking or swimming. She is a Pilates fanatic and loves keeping active and is very adventurous in her travels.
Dr. Dheshnie Thangavelu
Interventional Pain Specialist
Read more about Dr. Émile Fortier
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Dr. Émile Fortier
Interventional Pain specialist
Dr. Émile Fortier earned his Doctor of Medicine degree with a research focus from Université Laval in Quebec.
He went on to complete his residency in anesthesiology at Université de Sherbrooke, which he finished in 2025. Alongside his clinical training, he developed a strong passion for teaching, serving for several years as a teaching assistant at Université de Sherbrooke and completing a graduate microprogram in health professions education.
His interest in pain management is reflected in a comprehensive approach that places the patient at the center of care, in close collaboration with other health professionals.
Outside of work, his curious and active nature finds expression in sports, food, and family.
Dr. Émile Fortier
Interventional Pain Specialist
Read more about Dr. Brian Starr
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Dr. Brian Starr
Interventional Pain specialist
Brian has had a long a winding road that led him to ChangePain. After medical school in Texas, he trained in anesthesiology at Mount Sinai hospital in New York City, followed by fellowship training in pain management at the University of Virginia.
Since completing training, he has worked in five different states in the US, in both private practice and university settings.
He is very excited to be bringing his family to live in Vancouver, and to bring his years of experience to the team at ChangePain.
Dr. Brian Starr
Interventional Pain Specialist
Interventional Pain Specialists – Rheumatologist:
Read more about Dr. Max Sun
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Dr. Max Sun
MD, FRCPC
Director of Ultrasound-Guided Procedures Program | Internal Medicine Specialist & Rheumatologist
Dr. Sun started delivering iSITES and Complex Care Services at Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic in May 2015.
He is a certified Internist and Rheumatologist.
Dr. Sun grew up in Surrey, British Columbia. He finished 3 years of honours in Pharmacology as well as a minor in economics before entering UBC medical school. After he graduated in 2006, he went on to train in the Internal Medicine residency program at UBC from 2010 to 2013 and a Rheumatology fellowship from 2013 to 2015.
He has a special interest in interventional pain procedures and chronic musculoskeletal pain management. Dr. Sun has a full spectrum rheumatology practice near Vancouver General Hospital, as well as practicing at changepain.
Dr. Max Sun
Internal Medicine Specialist
Interventional Pain Specialists – Physiatrist
Read more about Dr. William Craig
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Dr. William Craig
MD| FRCPC
Dr. Craig has a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and Masters in Medical Genetics with a focus on stem cell biology.
He obtained his MD at the University of UBC. He began his residency at Dalhousie then transferred to the University of Utah to complete his specialty training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation where he received training in interventional pain management.
He has been in practice for 20 years now, with an interest in chronic pain management and musculoskeletal medicine.
Dr. William Craig
Interventional Pain Specialist
Family Medicine
Read more about Dr. Marcus Lem
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Dr. Marcus Lem
MD, MHSc, FRCPC
Clinical Preventive Medicine | Pain & Addiction Medicine | UBC Clinical Associate Professor
Dr. Marcus Lem is a Preventive Medicine specialist and Pain and Addiction Medicine physician based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He graduated from McMaster University Medical School and completed his Master of Health Science and residency in Community Medicine at UBC.
Dr. Lem has worked extensively with Indigenous communities across Canada and held senior medical positions with the Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada. He was the Director of the Public Health and Preventive Medicine Residency Program at UBC and Senior Medical Advisor for Addiction and Overdose Prevention at the BC Centre for Disease Control.
Dr. Lem takes a holistic and evidence-based approach to the protection, promotion and maintenance of health and well-being. While attending university in Japan, he trained in Shinshin Toitsu Aikido and has an active interest in integrating techniques which unify the body and mind into clinical preventive medicine practice. Dr. Lem has specific expertise in occupational and environmental health and non-pharmacologic management of chronic pain syndromes. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada and a Clinical Associate Professor with the UBC Faculty of Medicine.
Dr. Marcus Lem
Public Health, Preventive Medicine
Read more about Dr. Inderveer Mahal
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Dr. Inderveer Mahal
MD, CCFP
Pain Physician
Dr. Inderveer Mahal joined the ChangePain team in October 2018.
After attending medical school and completing her residency at the University of Manitoba, she moved to Vancouver and has been working as a chronic pain physician.
She provides ultrasound guided pain procedures to patients and strives to provide patient-centred care. She is a member of the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and the ASRA Women in Pain Medicine Society. She has also completed her fellowship in journalism through the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and is an active member of Doctors of BC. She is also a consultant physician at BC Women’s Hospital.
Outside of the clinic, she enjoys staying active through running, skiing and playing tennis and adores her time with her husband and son. She is very pleased to be a part of a multi-disciplinary, patient-centered team of healthcare professionals.
Dr. Inderveer Mahal
Pain Physician
Read more about Dr. Ian Hyams
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Dr. Ian Hyams
MD
Pain Physician
Bio coming soon!
Dr. Ian Hyams
Pain Physician
Fellows and Post-Graduate Trainees:
Read more about Dr. Archili Miminoshvili
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Dr. Archili Miminoshvili
MD, PhD, RDCS.
Pain Clinical Fellow
Dr. Archili Miminoshvili is a highly skilled medical professional with a diverse range of qualifications and experience including General Surgery, Postoperative Pain management, and Ultrasound technique.
Dr. Miminoshvili obtained his Medical Degree in Ukraine and completed specialized training in General Surgery and Oncology.
After completing his medical education, he gained extensive experience in a wide range of surgical procedures, including minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and complex abdominal surgery.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Archili has also pursued academic and research opportunities.
He obtained a PhD degree in Surgery. His research focused on the effect of electrophysiological techniques on the neuromuscular apparatus of the intestine. Throughout his career, he has published numerous research papers in several prestigious medical journals. Besides, he has been a Reviewer for McMaster University for the past several years.
These roles have allowed him to stay current with the latest advancements in his field and to contribute to the education and training of future medical professionals.
Dr. Miminoshvili has also expanded his medical education beyond his home country, earning a confirmed Spanish medical diploma and, more recently, graduating from the Pharma-Medical Science College of Canada (Toronto). And now he holds two licenses in Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography from ARDMS and Sonography Canada.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Miminoshvili is a talented musician who enjoys composing music on the piano.
He also enjoys staying active through hiking and yoga. These hobbies allow him to take a break from his busy schedule and focus on spending time with his family.
Dr. Archili Miminoshvili
Pain Clinical Fellow
Read more about Dr. Navid Mohammadi
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Dr. Navid Mohammadi
MD, MPH
Pain Clinical Fellow | Academic staff
Dr. Navid Mohammadi is an international medical graduate from Iran with a specialization in preventive and community medicine. Throughout his residency program in Tehran, he obtained a Master of Public Health and further expanded his expertise by completing a one-year fellowship in "Simulation in Medical Education" at the esteemed University of Ottawa in Canada.
Commencing his professional journey as a general physician in primary care and private practice, Dr. Mohammadi's dedication and passion led him to specialize in his chosen field. He served as a distinguished faculty member at renowned medical universities in Iran, progressively ascending to the prestigious position of full professor in 2019. Over the course of his career, he has assumed diverse roles as a clinical staff member, an educator, a clinical and epidemiologic researcher, as well as a public health practitioner, all with a central focus on integrating clinical excellence into daily medical practice.
Dr. Mohammadi's particular interest lies in the utilization of simulation in medical education, aimed at ensuring optimal patient safety and minimizing medical errors. He has contributed significantly to this field and has published several research papers on various health-related topics, including pain control and management.
Driven by his unwavering commitment to patient well-being, Dr. Mohammadi's ultimate goal is to create a safe and comfortable environment for his patients. To align with this vision, he has chosen pain management medicine, as it perfectly embodies his belief in promoting comprehensive physical, mental, and social well-being, which aligns with the World Health Organization's definition of health.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Navid indulges in various forms of art, including music, cinema, Persian literature, and poetry. He is an avid sports enthusiast and actively follows soccer, swimming, and table tennis. Most importantly, he cherishes spending quality time with his beloved family and derives immense joy from playing and listening to music
Dr. Navid Mohammadi
Pain Clinical Fellow
Read more about Dr. Ardeshir Omoumi
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Dr. Ardeshir Omoumi
Pain Clinical Fellow
Dr. Ardeshir Omoumi holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Iran, a Doctor of Naturopathy (ND) from Canada, and a Master’s degree in Medical Genetics from Singapore.
He has practiced as a family doctor and emergency physician in Iran. Dr. Omoumi completed a postdoctoral fellowship in neurogenetics at the Division of Neurology at the University of British Columbia (UBC), where he published papers in high-impact journals.
Before joining the ChangePain Clinic, he received advanced training in sports medicine and pain management at the teaching clinic of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto.
His professional interests include interventional and integrative pain management, functional medicine, regenerative medicine, and nutritional IV therapy.
Dr. Ardeshir Omoumi
Pain Clinical Fellow
Read more about Dr. Matthew Quo
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Dr. Matthew Quo
MBBS, FACEM
Pain Clinical Fellow
Matthew hails from Western Australia, where he completed his training in Emergency Medicine and subsequently specialized in Pain Medicine. His clinical expertise bridges acute and chronic pain management, with a focus on procedural interventions and improving quality of life for patients.
He comes to ChangePain through a clinical fellowship appointment with UBC. Combining his background in Emergency Medicine with his subspecialty interest, he brings a pragmatic, function-focused approach to complex pain cases.
Matthew enjoys staying up to date with emergency medicine practice and has a special interest in telemedicine – a vital part of the rural healthcare system in both Australia and Canada. Outside of the hospital, he stays active through weight training, cycling, and exploring new trails.
Dr. Matthew Quo
Pain Clinical Fellow
Virtual Group Medical Visits Only
Read more about Dr. Rassamee Ling
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Dr. Rassamee Ling
MD
FRCPC (Anesthesiology)
UBC Faculty of Medicine Clinical Instructor, department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics.
University of BC Medical School graduate - 1993
University of Toronto, Anesthesia specialty residency graduate – 1998
Staff Anesthesiologist in the Fraser Health Authority at Surrey Memorial Hospital and the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgical Centre for over 20 years. Clinical interest in perioperative optimization and use of ultrasound guided regional anesthesia for optimizing acute pain management.
Dr Ling is a graduate of the Physician Quality Improvement Certificate Program which teaches the tools necessary for implementing improvement ideas in healthcare systems. Her area of focus is improving pain management after surgery.
Sports enthusiast with 45 years of experience in karate including 10 as international competitor, then over 20 as coach and instructor at Delta Karate School. Yoga, cycling and kayaking contribute to a lifestyle focus on movement and exercise for maintenance of good health.
Rassamee believe’s in an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to pain management and enjoys coaching and empowering people to achieve their optimal health.
Dr. Rassamee Ling
Anesthesiologist
Read more about Dr. Alexandra Perel-Winkler
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Dr. Alexandra Perel-Winkler
Internist and Functional Medicine Specialist
Alexandra Perel-Winkler, is an integrative physician with training in Internal Medicine Rheumatology, Functional Medicine and is a student of natural and traditional healing modalities. Originally from Vancouver, Alexandra studied medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland, where she graduated with honors. She completed her Internal Medicine residency at Mt. Sinai West, and her Rheumatology training at Columbia University. She completed her Functional Medicine course with Dr. Aviva Romm, a course offering a strong foundation in Functional Medicine, as well as unique training in herbal medicine and women’s health. She has studied with numerous doctors and integrative practitioners including Drs. Lewis Mehl-Madrona, Anne Marie Chiasson, Ric Arseneau and Gabor Mate.
Alexandra takes a holistic perspective when looking at each patient, considering every aspect of their lives including and beyond their physical, mental and emotional experience; and their connection with themselves, spirit, family and community. She holds the perspective that everyone has a journey towards health and wellness; her role as a physician is to support her patient's unique experience.
Dr. Perel-Winkler’s areas of specialty include:
- Autoimmunity
- Pain and Central sensitization (Fibromyalgia, IBS, Chronic Pelvic Pain, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity etc)
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Women’s health (PCOS, fertility, perimenopause etc.)
- Gut health
- Chronic stress and ‘adrenal fatigue’
- Endocrine imbalance
- Mental health
- Optimizing wellness and healthspan
When Alexandra is not working with patients she can be found spending time with her husband and son. She loves spending time in nature, reading, dancing and being joyful.
Alexandra’s MSP covered offerings will take into account your life’s story and history of your concerns in your first visit. After your initial visit each follow up will focus on one issue or treatment goal. MSP covered visits will aim to incorporate Dr. Perel-Winkler’s wide breadth of knowledge and experience. This stream will be based on evidence-based medicine and will not include a root-cause, integrative medicine approach.
Dr. Alexandra Perel-Winkler
Internist and Functional Medicine Specialist
Read more about Dr. Ilana Winrob
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Dr. Ilana Winrob
Family Medicine
Dr. Ilana Winrob, is a family doctor and FP-anesthetist. Born and raised in Vancouver, she obtained her medical degree from the University College of Dublin.
She trained for two years in general surgery and then made the decision to switch to family medicine. She completed her family medicine residency at the University of Western Ontario and her one-year enhanced skills in anesthesia at the University of Toronto.
She then practiced rural family medicine in Hanover, Ontario working in the emergency room, operating room, family practice clinic, and hospital ward. She currently works as a surgical assistant at St. Paul's hospital in the orthopedics department and as a locum in the community.
As a family doctor, she often feels limited in her ability to help her patients with complex and chronic presentations of pain and inflammation. She is really looking forward to working with the amazing multidisciplinary team at changepain.
She recently moved back to Vancouver to be closer to her family. She is happy to be back home and is enjoying the beach, the mountains, the forest, and the parks with her husband and two young kids.
Dr. Ilana Winrob
Family Medicine
Virtual Psychiatrists:
Read more about Dr. Michael Butterfield
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Dr. Michael Butterfield
BSc MSc MD FRCPC
Pain Psychiatrist
Michael Butterfield is a Clinical Assistant Professor at UBC with appointments in the Departments of Psychiatry and Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics and is the Director of the Pain Medicine Residency Program. He obtained his medical degree at UBC, completed his specialty training in psychiatry at Dalhousie University and was the inaugural resident of the Pain Medicine subspecialty residency program at the UBC. His areas of interest include headache medicine, neuropathic pain, addiction medicine, and interventional pain medicine. He currently works at St. Paul’s Hospital, VGH, the UBC Headache Clinic. He conducts clinical research at the Non-Invasive Neurostimulation Therapies clinic at UBC.
Dr. Michael Butterfield
Pain Psychiatrist
No wait times for Chiropractic, Physiotherapy, Kinesiology, Counselling, Acupuncture
Our Allied Health team consists of specialties including chiropractic, physiotherapy, kinesiology, somatic movement, intramuscular stimulation, counselling, acupuncture, and ketamine assisted psychotherapy.
Functional Movement - Chiropractic
Read more about Dr. Lindsay Rite
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Dr. Lindsay Rite
BSc(Kin), CSEP-CEP
Director of Integrative Services | Chiropractor, Kinesiologist, Exercise Physiologist | Clinical Facilitator Surgical Patient Optimization Program
Dr. Lindsay Rite is the Director of Integrative Health at Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic (CPC). She acts to oversee the clinic’s Allied Health and Rehabilitation Team, Pain Programs, and Pain Neuroscience Education Services. Simultaneously she maintains a Chiropractic practice and assists with Physician-led Shared Care pain consultations. She has advanced training in movement and exercise therapy and is a Registered Kinesiologist and CSEP Clinical Exercise Physiologist.
Dr. Rite takes an empowering approach to care for her patients. Personalized education and active therapy prescription is a significant part of her practice. She is trained in multiple manual techniques and utilizes a diversity of hands on and instrumented assisted therapies to aid in alleviating pain and suffering in her patients. She is experienced in assessing and treating complex pain with much of her practice focused on those with widespread pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, CRPS, central sensitivity syndromes, or other persistent pain conditions and related comorbidities.
Dr. Rite’s research and professional initiatives extend beyond her work at CPC. She played an integral role in the development of the pain management joint program between the BCCA and Pain BC. Similarly, with Pain BC, she has participated in various collaboratives including the BC ECHO for Chronic Pain, Resource Data Base Initiative, Psychosocial Community of Practice, and was a Reviewer for the Pain Foundations Course. She co-lead the first Military Veterans Alpine Challenge, and continues to contribute to the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans (CPCoE) collaborative. Additionally, she has also contributed to various research publications at Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic.
She has previously acted as a Best Practice Collaborator with the CCGI, she was the Vice Chair for the Patients Relation Committee of the CCBC, an Examiner with the CCEB, and an active member of the BC Chiropractic Practice-Based Research Network.
In addition to her work in chronic pain, she is experienced in sport management. She has been part of the Integrated Sports Team for various teams including Athletics at the Pan American Games, Rugby Sevens Fijian championship team, and Canada West Wrestling athletes.
Dr. Rite not only supports her patients in developing an active and wholehearted lifestyle but enjoys living it herself. In her free time, you can find her in the local mountains enjoying our BC trails and nature.
Certifications:
- Chiropractor
- Registered Kinesiologist
- CSEP Certified Exercise Physiologist
- CSEP Certified Personal Trainer
- Sports First Responder
- S-FMA Selective Functional Movement Assessment Level 1
- Active Release Techniques® (Lower and Upper Extremity) Provider
- Functional Anatomical Palpation® Provider (Upper and Lower Limb & Spine)
- Kinesio Taping Certified Provider
- M1 Graston Techniques® Provider
Dr. Lindsay Rite
Chiropractor
Functional Movement - Physiotherapy
Read more about Leroy Ho
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Leroy Ho
MScPT, ACCDN (Dry Needling), BScKin
Physiotherapist
I believe that exercise can change lives.
Moving your body can create such profound effects across all body systems. We know exercise can help elevate mood, optimize sleep, defend against cognitive decline and of course, build a strong and resilient body. Exercise is good for us -but we already know this. So the more important question becomes how? How do you know what’s helpful or harmful? How do you know you’re on the right track? How can you get a movement program that’s designed for you?
I don’t have all the answers but I’m willing to try -that’s the least you can expect from your healthcare professionals. My patients are truly my inspiration and I’m grateful for their trust.
I started at changepain clinic in 2018, first as a Kinesiologist and now a Physiotherapist. My experience playing competitive hockey with Oxford University allows me to apply the principles of personal training not only to athletes but for overall longevity. I personally never got into physiotherapy because of sports and athletics. My particular interests are with the general population -where small changes in one’s health can have large effects. This is where my passion lies.
During our sessions, you will experience rehab through a blend of lifestyle, manual and active therapies. You will have a custom exercise plan that is safe, simple and effective. Also, depending on your degree of persistent pain we may also apply pain science to your care. As always, it depends on the individual.
Leroy Ho
Physiotherapist
Read more about Khushbu Mehta
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Khushbu Mehta
MSc. (PT), HBSc.
Physiotherapist
Khushbu has several years of experience as an internationally trained Physical Therapist. In 2012, Khushbu completed her Certificate of Advanced Study in Neurology from Massachusetts General Hospital- Institute of Health Professions, Boston, USA and in 2016, obtained her Doctor of Physiotherapy from Alabama State University, USA.
Khushbu always had a keen interest in the human body, how it works and incorporating different skills in improving her patient's quality of life.
Outside her passion for physiotherapy profession, Khushbu enjoys spending time with her family, listening to music and painting.
Khushbu Mehta
Physiotherapist
Read more about Serena Savji
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Serena Savji
DPT BKin
Physiotherapist
Serena is passionate about helping people feel stronger, move better, and live more comfortably in their bodies.
She obtained a Doctor of Physiotherapy from Bond University and a Bachelor’s of Kinesiology from the University of British Columbia.
She has worked with people of all ages across Canada and Australia— where she has supported patients through post-surgical recovery, sports injury rehabilitation, neurological conditions, chronic pain, pregnancy and postpartum care.
Serena aims to provide the highest quality of care using an evidence based approach with a focus on empowering individuals to achieve their goals. Serena also incorporates clinical Pilates and personalized exercise programs to make rehabilitation both effective and enjoyable.
Outside the clinic, she enjoys exploring Vancouver’s trails, staying active with pilates, and strength training, spending time with her family and friends and cooking healthy meals to recharge.
Serena Savji
Physiotherapist
Read more about Austin Kao
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Austin Kao
Physiotherapist
Austin holds a Master of Physiotherapy degree from the University of Sydney, and a Bachelors of Kinesiology degree from the University of British Columbia. With over a decade of experience in health care, he is experienced in working with individuals with various injuries and conditions from all walks of life. In particular, Austin is well-versed in complex chronic pain syndromes, orthopaedic injuries, motor vehicle and workplace injuries, and sports injuries.
Austin is passionate about bringing accessibility and quality care into the community. He provides detailed assessments and works together with his patients to create a realistic and individualized plan, reassessing every step of the way.
Austin is experienced in rehabilitation programming, and is and passionate about supporting individuals through their journey to achieve their goals. His treatments include various manual therapy techniques to improve tissue healing and movement; and most importantly, exercise therapy to improve functional capabilities and goal-oriented movements.
Lastly, Austin is passionate about injury prevention and education. He loves sharing his ideas and believes that everyone can benefit from knowing how their body works, knowing what sorts of injuries can occur with their jobs or hobbies, and knowledge on how to reduce these risks.
In his personal time, Austin loves both the outdoors and indoors. In the winter, he enjoys skiing/snowboarding on the mountains, and in the summer, he enjoys backpacking, camping, and playing baseball. He loves travelling, archeology, and ancient civilizations. At home, he enjoys exploring new recipes, painting his travels, and learning new music on the piano. Currently, he is very excited about the use of calisthenic movements and meditation in rehabilitation and therapy.
Austin Kao
Physiotherapist
Functional Movement - Kinesiology
Read more about Sam Ghaffari
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Sam Ghaffari
Kinesiologist
Sam is a Registered Kinesiologist who works with people navigating recovery after injury, pain, or physical setbacks. She has experience supporting individuals after motor vehicle accidents, workplace injuries, and pain conditions.
Sam believes healing isn’t about “going back,” it’s about rebuilding forward. Her approach blends active rehab, movement retraining, and pain education to restore strength, function, and confidence.
She holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University and certifications in Corrective Exercise and Behaviour Change through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She has also completed the Moving Through Pain program with Pain Canada.
Outside the clinic, Sam balances structure and creativity. She trains four days a week, meal preps on weekends, and explores new ice cream flavours from her favourite local spot, a ritual rooted in joy and curiosity. You’ll often find her doodling thought maps on her windows, solving math problems for fun, or reflecting on the way she thinks and speaks to herself. To her, “wellness” is just as much “mental” as it is “physical.”
Sam’s focus is on helping clients trust and feel capable in their bodies again - one breath, one thought, and one rep at a time.
Sam Ghaffari
Kinesiologist
Read more about Rachel Cheung
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Rachel Cheung
Kinesiologist
Rachel is a passionate and experienced Kinesiologist with over 10 years of hands-on practice helping individuals move, feel, and live better. Throughout her career, she has worked across a wide range of clinical settings, supporting clients recovering from soft tissue injuries, motor vehicle accidents (MVAs), postural imbalances, chronic pain, and more. She also brings extensive experience in return-to-work (RTW) programs, functional restoration, and pain management strategies. She is also certified for Stretch Tissue Release (STR level 1) and yoga teacher.
Rachel holds a Master of Sports Science with a specialization in biomechanics, along with a Diploma in Disability Case Management. Thus, provided her to build a solid understanding in both the science of human movement and the art of personalized rehabilitation. Her approach blends evidence-based practice with genuine empathy, recognizing that recovery looks different for everyone.
At the heart of Rachel’s approach is a holistic, client-centered philosophy that meets each person where they are. She believes that movement is a powerful tool to recovery, and with the right guidance, support, and customized exercise plans, anyone can unlock their potential for long-term wellness. Whether you're returning to work, getting back to the activities you love, or simply striving to feel more at ease in your body, Rachel is here to support and cheer you on every step of the way.
Outside of work, you’ll often find Rachel lifting weights, unwinding with yoga or meditation, hiking in nature, or indulging her love for global cuisine.
Rachel Cheung
Kinesiologist
Mind & Wellness - Acupuncture
Read more about Noli Catapang
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Noli Catapang
Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac)
Noli received an HBSc. from the University of Guelph, Ontario, and a Diploma for Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine from the International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Vancouver, BC. He has been a Registered Acupuncturist since 2006.
He employs the tenets of Chinese Medicine to diagnose and design treatment plans that are holistic and individually tailored. With any lifestyle medicine, the path must always address, not only the client’s chief concern, but the factors and psycho-emotional landscape that affect it.
Furthermore, Noli recognizes that wellness is most readily achieved by working in partnership with his clients. These partnerships are built on compassion, education, understanding and choice. The goal is helping the client to re-establishing balance thereby minimizing the need for treatment.
Noli Catapang
Registered Acupuncturist
Mind & Wellness - Counselling
Read more about Laura Montgomery
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Laura Montgomery
Clinical Counsellor, Registered Social Worker
Laura Montgomery is a Masters Level Clinical Counsellor and Registered Social Worker, who brings a passionate belief in each person’s innate wisdom to heal, navigate, and grow from their life experiences. She brings her humanity and lived experience with her own pain journey, as well as her extensive post-graduate training, counselling skills and experience to her work with her clients.
Laura received her Masters of Social Work from the University of British Columbia in 2008; there she completed original research through the British Columbia Cancer Agency on the factors that contribute to post-traumatic growth after a cancer diagnosis. She has trained in trauma-informed somatic therapy with the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute, attachment-based parenting with the Neufeld Institute and is a Certified AEDP Therapist. Laura also currently enjoys helping other clinical counsellors learn new skills through being an assistant with the AEDP Institute. Prior to becoming a clinical counsellor Laura worked as a social worker at Providence Healthcare. She also spent years as a stay and home mother, her most rewarding and challenging position!
In sessions with Laura you can expect warmth, collaboration and understanding; as well as the challenge to together move through stuck places towards resilience and inner resources. Sessions may include slowing down with emotions or sensations as well as discovering tools and knowledge that you can take with you into your life.
Laura is also a First Nations Health Authority Provider and completed the San'yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Program. She welcomes clients of all identities and deeply values the diversity of human experience and expression.
Laura enjoys spending time with her family, the ocean, writing, movement, meditation and hanging out with her cat.
Laura Montgomery
Clinical Counsellor, Registered Social Worker
Read more about Sarah Jamieson
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Sarah Jamieson
BCom, CYT, PgCPain
Clinical Counsellor, GMV Lead
Sarah Jamieson is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with a Master of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology. She has been a part of our team since 2013, and she really understands pain. She’s lived with it, and she’s worked in pain care for over a decade. She’s done research on chronic pain recovery, and she’s trained extensively in pain care, including a post-graduate certificate in chronic pain management through the University of Alberta. She’s trained in longstanding psychological approaches recommended for pain, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based approaches, as well as newer psychological approaches that are seeing very promising results in treating pain, like Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and Emotional Awareness & Expression Therapy (EAET).
Sarah has a particular interest in exploring the connection between chronic pain (and chronic fatigue) and underlying trauma. Exploring this connection often involves looking at developmental trauma (things that happened when we were growing up) and at the early relationships that shaped how we understand ourselves and relate to others. Another clinical interest of Sarah’s is supporting people through the challenges faced during the perimenopause and menopause transition, which can include pain (and insomnia and anxiety and more).
While Sarah broadly recommends a holistic approach to changing pain, she is particularly passionate about the often-untapped ways that therapy can address persistent pain. In addition to working with the emotional challenges that often come with pain (such as anxiety, depression, grief, or loneliness), therapy can also address the behaviours and thought patterns that can contribute to developing and maintaining pain, such as people-pleasing, perfectionism, and emotional suppression. Therapy is also a place where unresolved trauma can be addressed, which can be an important part of treating pain.
Sarah’s approach to therapy has been shaped by years of yoga and mindfulness practice, and at the heart of her work, is a deep belief in the healing power of being seen, validated, and accepted. In working with her, you’ll find that she focuses on helping you stay present and emotionally regulated (which means feeling your feelings without letting them take over). She sees therapy as a space where we can learn to trust in our capacity to handle what arises within our lives and within ourselves. Embodied experience—kind of the opposite of being “stuck in your head”—is important to her approach because research shows that meaningful change happens when we’re connected to our present experience.
In addition to therapy sessions, you can work with Sarah through our group medical visit (GMV) sessions at Changepain. She facilities three of our programs: Self-Compassion, Mindful Communication, and Relaxation.
Sarah Jamieson
Clinical Counsellor, GMV Lead
Read more about Krista Friesen
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Krista Friesen
BA MSc CYT PgCPain
changepain Group Medical Visit Lead, Pain Coach & Pain Navigator
Krista is a highly-qualified yoga and pilates teacher with more than 2000 hours of training and nearly 5 years of experience working with patients who live with chronic pain. Additionally, she holds a Master’s degree in psychology, with an emphasis on cognitive neuropsychology, and holds a Post-Graduate Certificate in Chronic Pain Management from the University of Alberta.
Krista began working with Dr. Greg Siren and The myo Clinic team in September, 2011 after being referred to Dr. Siren for assessment and treatment of her own pain. She has lived with chronic back pain for nearly 20 years and now keeps her pain well-controlled through her own practice of movement and relaxation, along with healthy diet and sleep routines. She is passionate about learning about pain, and sharing her knowledge to help others manage their own chronic pain.
In addition to her work with movement, Krista has been interested in sleep, insomnia, and sleep research for the past 10 years. She also studies and uses cognitive behavioural therapy techniques, motivational interviewing, non-violent communication, and coaching strategies in her work with chronic pain patients. Krista has a private practice for one-to-one movement and/or coaching sessions.
Krista Friesen
GMV Lead, Pain Coach & Pain Navigator
Read more about Sarah Jamieson
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Sarah Jamieson
BCom, CYT, PgCPain
changepain Group Medical Visit Lead and Pain Coach
Sarah Jamieson is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with a Master of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology. She has been a part of our team since 2013, and she really understands pain. She’s lived with it, and she’s worked in pain care for over a decade. She’s done research on chronic pain recovery, and she’s trained extensively in pain care, including a post-graduate certificate in chronic pain management through the University of Alberta. She’s trained in longstanding psychological approaches recommended for pain, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based approaches, as well as newer psychological approaches that are seeing very promising results in treating pain, like Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and Emotional Awareness & Expression Therapy (EAET).
Sarah has a particular interest in exploring the connection between chronic pain (and chronic fatigue) and underlying trauma. Exploring this connection often involves looking at developmental trauma (things that happened when we were growing up) and at the early relationships that shaped how we understand ourselves and relate to others. Another clinical interest of Sarah’s is supporting people through the challenges faced during the perimenopause and menopause transition, which can include pain (and insomnia and anxiety and more).
While Sarah broadly recommends a holistic approach to changing pain, she is particularly passionate about the often-untapped ways that therapy can address persistent pain. In addition to working with the emotional challenges that often come with pain (such as anxiety, depression, grief, or loneliness), therapy can also address the behaviours and thought patterns that can contribute to developing and maintaining pain, such as people-pleasing, perfectionism, and emotional suppression. Therapy is also a place where unresolved trauma can be addressed, which can be an important part of treating pain.
Sarah’s approach to therapy has been shaped by years of yoga and mindfulness practice, and at the heart of her work, is a deep belief in the healing power of being seen, validated, and accepted. In working with her, you’ll find that she focuses on helping you stay present and emotionally regulated (which means feeling your feelings without letting them take over). She sees therapy as a space where we can learn to trust in our capacity to handle what arises within our lives and within ourselves. Embodied experience—kind of the opposite of being “stuck in your head”—is important to her approach because research shows that meaningful change happens when we’re connected to our present experience.
In addition to therapy sessions, you can work with Sarah through our group medical visit (GMV) sessions at Changepain. She facilities three of our programs: Self-Compassion, Mindful Communication, and Relaxation.
Sarah Jamieson
GMV Lead & Clinical Counsellor
Read more about Cheryl Uphill
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Cheryl Uphill
Yoga - GMV facilitator
With Cheryl’s passion for lifelong learning and focus for well-being, she started her yogic journey back in 1992 after a physical way of life in martial arts for 25 years. In search for balance in the daily stresses of life, and managing chronic pain from many injuries, she discovered yoga, mediation and energetic awareness trainings. The melding of these disciplines created a more balanced Mind Body & Spirit approach. With the internal balance & focus that she acquired through karate, her transition to Hatha yoga was a natural progression that led to her into incorporating yoga into her daily life. Just as Karate was a way of life for Cheryl, then so became yoga and many certifications to follow;
200hr Hatha in Anand Praksh, Rishikesh, India and 500hr Yoga Therapy, Hot, Yin, Restorative, Advanced Chronic Pain Management, Thai Yoga Massage, Dermo Neuromodulation, Marma Therapy, 10-day Human Dissection training, and is a as a Certified Therapist with the International Association of Yoga Therapy (IAYT).
Cheryl prides herself on being an educator, especially in Yoga Therapy and Chronic Pain Care Management. As a survivor of overcoming severe long-term chronic pain, Cheryl’s love of learning led her to heal her Body and Mind by the power of knowledge and surrender. This led to obtaining her Provincial Instructional Diploma and is currently a Masters student at SFU in Adult Education.
She plans on sharing her creativity in teaching and inspiring healing through her Yoga & Pain Therapist tools. Her energy of infectious enthusiasm and positive light will hopefully shine the way for the changepain participants to learn, grow and heal into the integrated whole person they wish to be. She is honored and humbled to be part of the Education and Lifestyle changepain team.
Cheryl Uphill
Yoga - GMV facilitator
Read more about Klara Kroupa
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Klara Kroupa
Yoga - GMV facilitator
For Klara, as a lifelong athlete, movement is her mantra.
Teaching yoga is a natural extension of her decades long background first as a rhythmic gymnast, and later as a national-level certified coach and choreographer. Along with a Bachelor of Physical Education, she has a precise understanding of the body and movement.
She completed her foundational (200 hour) training at Shambhava Yoga Konalani in Hawaii and her advanced training (300 hour) at Vancouver School of Yoga. She has taken additional training in Yin Yoga, Yoga for Trauma Sensitive Students, Mio-fascial Release, and Functional Anatomy for Yoga.
Klara lives and teaches in Vancouver for Yoga4Stiff People, Just Yoga, and Semperviva as well as Invati Yoga & Wellness in the Okanagan. She facilitates yoga workshops locally and leads a yoga retreat annually in Nicaragua.
My ‘why’ as a Yoga Teacher:
We all come to the yoga mat with our unique body structures, builds, history of injuries, and health challenges. No two people necessarily approach the same movement in the same way. I am constantly refining how to make yoga not only more accessible, but also more practical for ALL ages and levels and body types. It is my mission every time I step onto the mat as a teacher. Regardless of the style – my classes are designed to help build strength, gain flexibility & increase mobility – with the use of props and modifications as necessary - so that each student can simply feel better in their own body. Combining purposeful movement with breath awareness equals better tools for healing, toning and strengthening the body as well as improving focus, enhancing mindfulness, releasing stress and calming the nervous system. I wholeheartedly believe by creating a little more space in our body, we can create a little more space in our minds.
Klara Kroupa
Yoga - GMV facilitator
Read more about Amy Kiara Ruth
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Amy Kiara Ruth
BSc (Kin, Ed) practicing kinesiologist, certified Pilates method instructor, associate somatic movement professional
Amy offers the GMV sessions of Qigong Movement, Healing after Trauma, and Somatic (Movement and) Therapy as opportunities to support participants in developing increased ease in movement and presence.
She brings a grounded presence and a spirit of collaborative inquiry to her sessions. Her philosophy is that movement is an integral part of life and she works to support the emergent expression of health inherent in each individual.
A life-long interest in movement led Amy to become a kinesiologist and somatic movement practitioner. Her movement experience began as a child, studying dance. As a young adult, she was introduced to the Pilates method by Dianne Miller and completed her Pilates method certification training in 1997.
She has a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, minor in Education, from Simon Fraser University. In 2008 she completed Foundation and Advanced level training in Self-Regulation Therapy, a gentle, somatic, trauma-resolution modality.
Amy maintains a commitment to continuing education and has extensive experience as a student of Tai chi / Qigong, as well as Continuum / Continuum Montage and other mind-body movement approaches.
In her personal life, Amy explores what it means to be an embodied being and how to be in relationship to seasonal rhythms & tides while living & working in an urban setting.
Amy Kiara Ruth
Kinesiologist – GMV facilitator
Read more about Milan Zivadinovic
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Milan Zivadinovic
GMV facilitator
Bio coming soon!
Milan Zivadinovic
GMV facilitator
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