Freedom From Chronic Pain

Freedom From Chronic Pain is a five-day healing workshop at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York, led by psychotherapist and best-selling author Nicole Sachs. It is written for people living with persistent physical pain, fatigue, anxiety, or medically unexplained symptoms who want to understand the mind-body connection and learn practical ways to work with it. The approach comes from mind-body medicine and somatic therapy.

The workshop rests on the idea that there is brain science behind why we stay symptomatic, fatigued, and anxious. A dysregulated nervous system can send pain signals in a chronic "fight or flight" mode. When repressed emotions and stored trauma are allowed to surface safely, the body can settle into "rest and repair," and symptoms stop flaring.

What to Expect

Days combine discussion, group work, meditation, somatic embodiment, and Nicole's signature JournalSpeak® practice, a technique for emotional processing and release. You will learn the neuroscience behind chronic pain and nervous system dysregulation, work in small groups to explore stored trauma in a safe setting, and receive one-on-one guidance. The aim is to leave with tools and practices you can keep using to sustain relief after the workshop ends.

The rhythm is steady and unhurried. Check-in is on Sunday afternoon, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., with rooms available after 5:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday have two sessions, from 9:00 a.m. to noon and from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday is a morning session only, and Friday has a final morning session from 9:00 a.m. to noon before check-out at 1:00 p.m. Commuters can check in Monday morning from 8:00 to 8:45 a.m. The faculty may adjust the schedule.

About Nicole Sachs

Nicole J. Sachs is a psychotherapist, best-selling author, and a leader in MindBody medicine. She wrote Mind Your Body: A Revolutionary Program to Release Chronic Pain and Anxiety, and she teaches JournalSpeak® as part of her work. One participant, Sean Hershey, LCSW, described the experience this way: "This work changed my life. Not only is my chronic hip pain almost entirely gone, I'm more active now than I had been in years."

The Setting

The workshop takes place on the Omega Institute campus in Rhinebeck, in New York's Hudson Valley. Guests who stay on campus choose from cabin rooms with private or shared baths, a dorm single, tent cabins, or a camping site, and all meals are included with on-campus lodging. Accommodation is booked separately from the workshop. Local participants can register as commuters, which includes meals along with use of campus facilities. Optional classes, recreation, walking trails, and parking are available to all guests. Accessible rooms are available through Omega's registration team.

Before You Go

All levels are welcome. People new to mind-body work are as welcome as those with experience, and no prior meditation or somatic practice is required. The workshop is taught in English.

Nicole recommends reading Mind Your Body before the course. Bring a notebook and pens or pencils; if you are more comfortable typing, you may bring a computer. Tuition covers the workshop and your time in class with the faculty. Meals are included with on-campus accommodation, while commuter participants should note that meals are not part of tuition alone. Those in tent cabins or the dorm should bring their own sheets and towels, and tent cabin guests may bring a sleeping bag or rent bedding from Omega.