Neuroplasticity-Based Programs for Survivors and Business Leaders.
Meet Dr. Kristen Szabla, PhD.
Dr. Kristen L. Szabla is a neuroscientist, speaker, author, educator, and Founder and CEO of Transforming Pain Now®, a neuroscience-based organization dedicated to helping individuals and organizations transform trauma, chronic stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, and adversity into resilience, authentic empowerment, and high performance through the power of neuroplasticity.
Drawing upon more than a decade of experience studying the neural circuitry underlying fear, anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation, Dr. Szabla has developed innovative neuroscience-informed frameworks that bridge cutting-edge brain science with practical strategies for lasting transformation. Her work focuses on helping individuals and organizations move from survival-based functioning to thriving, purpose-driven living.
As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and severe mental illness, Dr. Szabla understands firsthand the profound impact trauma can have on the brain, nervous system, identity, and overall well-being. Her personal healing journey led her to discover the transformative potential of neuroplasticity—the brain's remarkable ability to reorganize and create new neural pathways throughout life. This discovery became the foundation for Transforming Pain Now® and her mission to help others realize that healing, resilience, and authentic empowerment are biologically achievable.
Dr. Szabla is the creator of several proprietary frameworks and programs, including:
- From Surviving to Authentically Empowered Thriving™
- R.E.W.I.R.E.™ Neural Repatterning System
- Embodied Trauma Integration™ Framework (ETI™)
Through these programs, she helps individuals strengthen emotional regulation, resilience, self-trust, and psychological well-being while helping organizations improve workforce resilience, leadership effectiveness, employee engagement, productivity, and organizational performance.
An international speaker and TEDx presenter, Dr. Szabla has delivered presentations on trauma, neuroplasticity, resilience, mental health, and human transformation to diverse audiences ranging from corporations and healthcare organizations to academic institutions and community groups. Her signature message centers on a powerful truth: while trauma can reshape the brain, the brain also possesses the extraordinary capacity to heal and change.
Dr. Szabla's work has received national recognition. She was named Best Trauma Coach on the East Coast of 2026 by Best of Best Review for her innovative, neuroscience-based approach to trauma recovery and resilience. She was also recognized by The Influential Today Magazine as one of "The Most Influential Women Leaders Making a Difference – 2026" for her contributions to advancing trauma recovery, mental health awareness, and neuroplasticity-based transformation.
Today, Dr. Szabla continues her mission of replacing shame with understanding, fear with empowerment, and survival with thriving. Through Transforming Pain Now®, she is building scalable neuroscience-based solutions that improve individual well-being, strengthen workforce resilience, enhance organizational performance, and create meaningful social impact.
Public Engagements & Recognition
Dr Kristen has spoken at Fortune 500 companies, national and international congresses, academic institutions, and more.
She was recognized as Best Trauma Coach in the East Coast of 2026, as well as The Most Influential Woman Leader Making a Difference 2026.