For Referring Clinicians
A Clinical Home for Patients With Neuroplastic Symptoms
The Institute works within the neuroplastic symptom framework: chronic pain and related conditions understood as learned neural circuit patterns. This page is for colleagues evaluating whether the Institute is a place they would confidently send a patient.
Clinical Philosophy
What the Institute Treats — and Why
Chronic pain is the Institute's primary specialty. Related presentations — anxiety, depression, functional neurological disorders, IBS, chronic fatigue — are treated because they share mechanism with chronic pain, not as separate practice areas.
The framework draws on Howard Schubiner's articulation of neuroplastic symptoms, the emerging evidence base behind Pain Reprocessing Therapy (Ashar, Lumley et al.), Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy, and the broader mind-body literature. It sits comfortably alongside conventional medical management and does not require patients to abandon existing care.
Within this framework, three clinical levers do most of the work: reframing the symptom signal, addressing the emotional and relational terrain that sensitizes the nervous system, and supporting a graded return to function. Modality selection (PRT, Brainspotting, ACT, Clinical Hypnosis, EAET) follows from the patient's presentation.
The framework is emerging, not settled. Claims about outcomes are made in proportion to the current evidence base, and the Institute does not promise cure. Patients are held within a realistic, hopeful clinical relationship.
Good Fit
Presentations That Typically Respond
- Chronic musculoskeletal pain without clear structural explanation, or out of proportion to imaging
- Persistent post-surgical or post-injury pain that has outlasted healing timelines
- Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, POTS, MCAS, functional neurological presentations
- Tension headaches and migraine patterns with nervous-system involvement
- Chronic health anxiety, somatic hypervigilance, and catastrophic symptom appraisal
- PTSD and complex trauma where somatic symptoms are a prominent feature
- Patients who have been told 'nothing is wrong' but are plainly suffering
Not a Fit — Refer Elsewhere
When Another Setting Is More Appropriate
- Acute pain where structural pathology is active and workup is incomplete
- Severe active psychosis or acute suicidal crisis requiring stabilization
- Substance dependence as the primary presentation
- Primary eating disorder presentations
Happy to consult informally on whether a given presentation is a reasonable fit. A brief phone conversation is welcome.
The Clinician
Aaron Jensen, M.A., R.Psych.
Registered Psychologist in Calgary, specializing in chronic pain recovery and related neuroplastic conditions. Clinical practice is informed by personal recovery from two and a half decades of persistent pain, ongoing professional development in the Schubiner framework, and nearly 29 years of formal Tai Chi and meditation practice.
Credentialing
- M.A. in Counselling Psychology
- Registered Psychologist — College of Alberta Psychologists
- Certified Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) Practitioner
- Howard Schubiner — Freedom from Chronic Pain professional development (current)
- Brainspotting — Phase 1 & 2 training
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy / Relational Frame Theory
- Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET)
- Clinical Hypnosis
Referral Pathway
How To Refer
Direct booking
Patients can self-book a free 20-minute consultation through the Jane App portal. This is the fastest pathway — the consultation establishes fit before anyone commits to ongoing work.
Clinician-to-clinician conversation
If you would prefer to discuss a case before sending a referral, a brief phone conversation is welcome. This is often helpful for complex or ambiguous presentations.
Formal referral letter
A referral letter is not required. If your setting requires one for documentation, send it to the contact address below and the patient will be followed up within two business days.
Ongoing collaboration
With patient consent, the Institute is glad to maintain contact with referring clinicians through the course of treatment — summary letters, progress notes, or informal check-ins as appropriate.
Professional Contact
For referral questions, case consultation, or to discuss whether a particular patient is a good fit — direct contact is welcome.