Overcoming Pain

What the service is

Overcoming Pain is a suite of self-guided, EMDR-based audio applications developed by Mark Grant, MA, an Australian clinical psychologist with over 30 years of experience specializing in trauma, anxiety, chronic stress, and persistent pain. Grant is a pioneer in applying Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to chronic pain and has authored research papers, treatment manuals, and chapters for the Oxford Handbook of EMDR. The Overcoming Pain website publishes five core apps plus books, soundtracks, and training resources for both individuals and mental health professionals. The apps are designed to be used independently at home, without therapist involvement, and use bilateral stimulation combined with guided exercises to address trauma-related pain, anxiety, and sleep disturbance.

How the service works

Overcoming Pain apps operate as self-directed audio programs that individuals use on their own devices at home. Users download an app, follow guided audio sessions combining bilateral stimulation, focused attention, and sensory-emotional stimulus, and work through the sessions at their own pace.

The Overcoming Pain App ($5.99) is "based on recent discoveries from brain science" and aims to "change the brain activity that maintains chronic pain." The app includes three playlists: Mental Healing, Sensory Healing, and Stress Management. Users select exercises based on their needs and follow the guided audio. The company states that "users can expect to feel less stressed, more in control, and even experience reduced pain." The app runs on Android and iOS.

The Anxiety Release App (priced at $17 for CD or app) teaches users to "release anxious thoughts and feelings naturally and effortlessly, by harnessing the power of your brain." It uses bilateral stimulation to deactivate the worry circuit and combines "guided instructions and focusing (your attention) with non-verbal auditory bilateral brain stimulation." The app includes an introductory exercise, two guided focusing/bilateral stimulation sessions for releasing anxiety in real time, and a track of bilateral stimulation alone for times when users need to "switch off your worry thoughts or calm yourself down during an anxiety-provoking experience."

The Sleep Restore App is uniquely designed for stress-related insomnia, particularly in people with PTSD or chronic medical conditions. It harnesses bilateral stimulation to "turn off the worry and physical tension that inhibit sleep." The free version includes six guided meditation sessions plus sleep hacks; the premium version ($9.99) adds ten more sessions and 16+ total unique sleep strategies. Features include different sessions for "getting to sleep" versus "getting back to sleep," separate sessions for worry and tension (the two main causes of stress-related insomnia), a sleep assessment questionnaire, individualized recommendations, ability to create customized playlists, and the ability to loop sessions indefinitely. The app includes inspirational quotes designed to counteract negative beliefs like "it's not safe to relax," and a detailed assessment questionnaire to help users determine if they may have a more serious sleep disorder warranting professional evaluation.

The Calm and Confident App ($17) and the Healing Trauma App Series provide similar EMDR-based audio guidance. All apps are available on Android and iOS platforms. Additionally, the company sells standalone EMDR-based soundtracks and audio CDs, books including "Change Your Brain, Change Your Pain," and treatment manuals for professionals.

What the captured pages show

Mark Grant's background includes 30+ years of experience as an Australian clinical psychologist and researcher specializing in trauma and pain. He pioneered the application of EMDR to chronic pain and medically unexplained symptoms and has authored research papers and treatment manuals on the subject. The Healing Traumatic Stress app series underwent the world's first randomized controlled trial of mobile apps based on EMDR. Research references on the site cite studies showing bilateral stimulation effects on brain activity, stress regulation, and sleep architecture. One study by Pagani et al. (2012) examined neurobiological correlates in EMDR monitoring via EEG. Another by Lansing et al. (2005) found high resolution brain SPECT imaging changes in police officers with PTSD after EMDR.

Pricing for individual apps ranges from $5.99 to $17 for single purchases. The Sleep Restore App offers a free base version with the option to upgrade to a premium version for $9.99. Additional soundtracks and books sell for $17 each, with some older soundtracks on sale. A treatment manual, "Pain Control with EMDR," is available as a PDF for $50. The site offers free resources including FAQs, self-evaluation tools, research summaries on EMDR and pain management, and therapist resources.

The apps support multiple platforms: iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android. The site provides detailed information on what each app contains, how bilateral stimulation works, and the research foundations for the approach. A disclaimer states: "The information on this website is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical or psychological advice. Individual responses to treatment vary." All apps carry similar disclaimers against using them as substitutes for professional assessment when experiencing "significant pain, psychological distress, or concerns about your health."

The Overcoming Pain website also offers training and supervision for mental health professionals, upcoming EMDR Treatment of Pain Workshops in 2026, and resources including pain management research reviews, EMDR pain protocols, and therapist checklists. The company operates from the Southern Alps in New Zealand.

What the pages do not clarify

The captured pages do not specify a minimum age for using the apps. The site does not provide clinical trial results from the randomized controlled trial of the Healing Traumatic Stress app series or specific outcome percentages. It does not clarify whether the apps complement professional therapy or replace it. No information is given about data privacy or collection practices. The site does not specify device storage requirements, internet connectivity needs, or offline functionality. There is no description of customer support, refund policies, or app update schedules. The pages do not clearly explain differences between individual apps, making it unclear which app fits which condition. There is no information on whether the apps detect or alert for crisis situations or suicidality.

Who it fits and who it does not

Overcoming Pain works best for individuals with chronic pain, anxiety, trauma, or stress-related sleep problems who prefer self-guided learning and have access to a smartphone or tablet. It suits people who want to try EMDR-based approaches at low cost without committing to therapy appointments. It is useful for those who have limited access to qualified trauma therapists or who live in areas with few EMDR specialists. It works well for people who want tools they can use between therapy sessions or as a supplement to existing treatment.

It does not replace professional therapy for complex PTSD, severe dissociation, or active suicidality. It is not appropriate for acute crises, severe mental health emergencies, or situations requiring psychiatric medication. It is not suitable for those without smartphone access or those unfamiliar with app-based learning. Those with hearing impairments may have difficulty using audio-based apps. It is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace professional evaluation. The apps cannot assess whether symptoms indicate a serious underlying medical condition requiring professional care. It does not provide personalized treatment plans or accommodation for individual trauma histories. Someone seeking one-on-one human support or real-time interaction would be better served by live therapy, while those who cannot afford any cost would find free peer support communities or low-cost community mental health services more appropriate.