Chronic Pain & Fibromyalgia Support in Málaga and Online
Living with chronic pain can be exhausting.
Whether you have fibromyalgia, persistent pain after an injury, migraines, IBS, chronic fatigue or medically unexplained symptoms, your nervous system may have become stuck in a protective state.
My work combines Humanist Hypnotherapy, Polyvagal-informed coaching, nervous system regulation and practical tools to help reduce overwhelm, improve quality of life and change your relationship with pain.
Sessions available in English, French and Spanish, online or in Málaga city centre.
If you recognize yourself in one of these situations, this is for you
Widespread Pain
Pain has become part of everyday life.
Some days are manageable. Others feel impossible.
Fibromyalgia
You’ve tried medications, diets, supplements and countless therapies.
You’re looking for a different approach that considers both your body and nervous system.
Always Exhausted
You wake up tired.
Your body never quite feels rested, even after sleeping.
Life Revolves Around Pain
You constantly plan around your symptoms.
You’ve stopped doing things you love because you’re never sure how you’ll feel.
Stress Makes Everything Worse
Even small amounts of stress can trigger pain flare-ups, fatigue or brain fog.
You Feel Misunderstood
People tell you:
“It’s just stress.”
“You look fine.”
“Maybe it’s all in your head.”
You know your symptoms are real.
What is chronic pain?
Chronic pain is real. Your nervous system may simply be working too hard.
Pain is not “imaginary.”
It is a real experience created by the brain to protect the body.
Sometimes the danger has passed, but the nervous system continues reacting as though protection is still needed.
This does not mean your pain is psychological.
It means that pain is influenced by many factors including previous injuries, inflammation, sleep, stress, emotions, beliefs, trauma and the way the nervous system has learned to respond over time.
For many people living with fibromyalgia or chronic pain, the nervous system becomes increasingly sensitive, meaning everyday sensations can begin to feel painful or overwhelming. Modern pain science recognizes that chronic pain is often maintained by changes in the nervous system, making multidisciplinary approaches—including psychological and behavioral interventions—valuable alongside medical care.
How is my approach different?
Your body isn’t broken. It has adapted.
Rather than fighting against your symptoms, we work with your nervous system.
Each treatment plan is tailored to your needs and may combine:
- Humanist Hypnotherapy
- Polyvagal-informed coaching
- Nervous system regulation
- Emotional release techniques
- Pain neuroscience education
- Breathwork
- Self-regulation tools
- Practical exercises between sessions
My goal is not simply to reduce pain.
It is to help your body gradually recover flexibility, safety and resilience so that pain no longer dictates every aspect of your life.
Hypnosis is increasingly recognized as a useful adjunct—not a standalone cure—for helping people manage chronic pain, reduce distress, and improve wellbeing when integrated into a broader treatment plan.
What is trauma?
Trauma is not only about what happened to you.
Trauma can be understood as both:
- what happened that should not have happened, and
- what needed to happen but did not happen.
For some people, trauma results from a specific event. For others, it develops through chronic stress, emotional neglect, criticism, lack of support, bullying, medical experiences, loss, or growing up in an environment where they did not feel safe, seen, understood, or protected.
Ultimately, trauma is less about the event itself and more about how the nervous system adapted in order to survive it.
How do I know if I have trauma?
Many people with unresolved trauma do not identify themselves as “traumatized.”
You may benefit from trauma-informed work if you experience:
- chronic anxiety or stress
- emotional overwhelm
- people pleasing
- perfectionism
- difficulty relaxing
- hypervigilance
- feeling disconnected from yourself
- recurring relationship patterns
- strong reactions that seem bigger than the situation itself
You do not need to have experienced a major traumatic event to benefit from this work.
How do I know if my nervous system is dysregulated?
Signs of nervous system dysregulation may include:
- difficulty switching off
- chronic fatigue
- feeling constantly on edge
- anxiety or panic
- emotional numbness
- difficulty concentrating
- sleep disturbances
- digestive issues
- feeling overwhelmed by everyday situations
A dysregulated nervous system is often stuck in survival responses such as fight, flight, freeze or shutdown.
What is Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and how does it relate to trauma?
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) measures the variation in time between heartbeats.
In general, higher HRV is associated with greater nervous system flexibility and resilience, while lower HRV can sometimes be associated with chronic stress, trauma, burnout, or nervous system dysregulation.
Although HRV can provide useful information, it is only one indicator among many. We focus on your lived experience and symptoms rather than trying to optimize a single number.
Is trauma therapy only for people who have experienced major trauma?
Will I lose control during hypnosis?
No.
Hypnosis is a natural state of focused attention. Throughout the session, you remain aware of what is happening and can choose to stop, speak, move, or open your eyes at any time.
Most clients are surprised by how normal hypnosis feels.
Can I get stuck in hypnosis?
No.
Even if a session were interrupted, you would simply return to your normal waking state, much like waking up from a daydream or becoming aware after being absorbed in a book or movie.
What does hypnosis feel like?
The experience varies from person to person.
Some people feel deeply relaxed. Others feel focused, calm, heavy, light, detached, emotional, or highly aware of their inner world.
Many people are surprised to discover that they remain conscious throughout the process.
The goal is not to “lose consciousness” but to access a state where the conscious and unconscious mind can work together more effectively.
Do I have to remember a traumatic event for healing to happen?
No.
Trauma healing does not require remembering every detail of the past.
In many cases, the focus is less on revisiting the event itself and more on helping the nervous system complete responses that were interrupted and develop a greater sense of safety in the present.
Can this help with anxiety?
Yes. Anxiety is often closely connected to nervous system dysregulation and survival responses. Trauma-informed nervous system work can help clients better understand and regulate these patterns.
Do you work online?
Yes. Sessions are available online and in person in Málaga.
What languages do you work in?
English, French and Spanish.
How to get started
1. Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation
We’ll discuss your situation and determine whether this approach is right for you.
2. Attend Your First 90-Minute Session
Together, we’ll explore your history, your current challenges and the factors that may be contributing to your pain. This first session helps us understand how your nervous system has adapted and identify the most appropriate path forward.
3. Receive your Personalized Treatment Plan
No two people experience chronic pain in the same way. Depending on your needs, your treatment plan may combine:
- Humanist Hypnotherapy
- Polyvagal-informed nervous system regulation
- Emotional release techniques
- Coaching
- Self-hypnosis
- Practical exercises and tools to use between sessions
4. Continue with Individual Sessions, Weekly Groups or both
Some people benefit most from individual one-to-one sessions, while others experience greater progress by combining personalized support with the Weekly Chronic Pain & Fibromyalgia Group. Together, we’ll decide on the approach that best supports your goals, your pace and your lifestyle.
Testimonials
“Living with fibromyalgia, I had started believing this was simply how the rest of my life would feel. During Catherine’s weekly sessions, I experienced something I hadn’t felt in years: complete relaxation. My pain didn’t disappear overnight, but for the first time I felt my body soften instead of constantly fighting itself. The exercises are simple, respectful of my limitations and easy to continue at home. Even several days after each session, I notice less tension, less pain and a greater sense of calm.”
– Sophie, Paris
“I had tried physiotherapy, medication and many different approaches before discovering nervous system regulation. Catherine never made me feel like my pain was ‘all in my head.’ Instead, she helped me understand why my body had become so protective. I still have difficult days, but I’m no longer afraid of every flare-up. I finally feel like I have practical tools to calm my body and regain some control over my life.”
– Peter, San José
“The weekly Chronic Pain Group has become one of the highlights of my week. It’s a safe space where I can completely relax without feeling judged or needing to explain my symptoms. Every session leaves me feeling lighter, calmer and more connected to my body. Knowing that others truly understand what I’m living through has been just as healing as the exercises themselves.”
– Marie-Josée, Nantes
Living with less pain starts with helping your nervous system feel safer.
When you’ve lived with chronic pain or fibromyalgia for months or years, your body can become stuck in a cycle of protection. Your nervous system learns to stay alert, your muscles remain tense, your energy decreases, and even small amounts of stress can trigger flare-ups.
Healing doesn’t always begin by trying harder to fight the pain. It often begins by creating the conditions in which your body no longer needs to stay in survival mode.
As your nervous system gradually learns to regulate, many people notice improvements that extend far beyond pain itself: better sleep, more energy, greater emotional resilience, increased confidence, and the freedom to reconnect with the activities and relationships that matter most.
My goal isn’t simply to help you reduce pain. It’s to help you reclaim your quality of life.