Chris has been known to add a creative and energizing treatment style to each client’s rehab process for over 10 years. Never one to get stuck in a rut, Chris understands the need for a dynamic and personalized approach to finding function and wellness after an injury.  “Each person that walks through these doors, whether for pain or brain injury, has a different story, a different set of experiences, and a unique injury. The nature of this interdisciplinary team approach allows for the development of a fine-tuned program for each individual.”  Chris’ experiences as an adventure director, an educator, and general outside-the-box thinker often fuel an exciting approach to many people's rehab process.

Want to learn more about Chris and the creative work he does at PRA? Visit the Comprehensive Brain Injury Program (Brain Injury Rehab Center) and Comprehensive Pain Program page!

​We are thrilled to introduce the new Medical Director of our Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program, Dr. Natalie Boodin.  It is instantly obvious that Natalie is a perfect complement to our dynamic and experienced comprehensive team.  She prefers to be casual and comfortable with clients, and strives to listen more than she talks; when clients meet her for the first time, she refuses to wear a white coat and introduces herself by saying “call me Natalie.”  

Her attitude is approachable, but her education and experience are extensive.  Dr. Natalie Boodin grew up outside of Detroit Michigan, and achieved the deans list at University of Michigan for her undergraduate education, completing her BS in Biopsychology and Cognitive Science.  She then received her MD from Ohio State University, while receiving recognition for being an Outstanding Student in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.  Schwab Rehabilitation Institute, a stand alone rehab unit in Illinois, was where she completed her residence.  Se reflects “there was a significant amount of trauma in Chicago.”  Serving individual recovering from brain injury became a passion.  She also has training in medical acupuncture, which she has found effective for treating headache/migraine related to brain injury.  She moved to Portland, Oregon in 2008, and has worked at PeaceHealth and Providence, as well as smaller independent practices. 

She often sees individuals struggling to recover from a Traumatic Brain Injury as “the walking wounded”.  “This is an invisible injury.  So many people don’t understand TBI, and there are such varied and individualized symptoms and outcomes.”  She is excited to lead a team of experts in treating TBI, because, “we can’t physically see what is going on inside the brain, so treatment needs to be creative.  There are so many ways to treat brain injury, and each person needs an individualized treatment plan.”  

If you are attending a first visit with Natalie, you will find her approachable and down to earth.  She’s also an excellent listener and very validating.  She shares “by the time people get to me, they have been blown off by many medical providers who don’t know why they aren’t getting better.”   Her patients will be reassured that she knows everyone heals differently.  You’ll find that she wants to really understand both your history and the impact this injury is having on your life.  She wants to understand your unique symptoms.  She’ll complete the physical exam, and discuss the plan with you.  

She’s delighted to be the medical director at Progressive Rehabilitation because treating brain injury is by it’s very nature collaborative.  She views herself as just one piece of the treatment puzzle, or “the glue that holds the team together, making sure everything is working well for the patient.” She notes that multidisciplinary treatment is ideal, because communication is easier for the team and the clients when everything is in one place.  

In addition to her exceptional clinical skills, Natalie has a lively personal life.  She is married and has eight year old twins.  Her partner is a musician, and together they operate a guitar store, venue, and bar in Portland.  In addition her two children are studying music, with her son taking piano lessons and her daughter taking guitar lessons.  Her favorite part about living in Portland I the outdoors.  “I love getting out and going hiking.”  She also loves animals and has one dog and will be adding another furry friend to the family soon.  

At Progressive Rehabilitation Associates, we are committed to individualized treatment for people with Traumatic Brain Injury, and we know that Natalie’s warm demeanor and extensive experience will serve our clients exceptionally well.  Please join us in welcoming her to our team. ​

Interested in learning more about Natalie and the Comprehensive Brain Injury Program or the Comprehensive Pain Program? Feel free to drop us a line on our contact page!

As a counselor, Kris treasures the moments she spends with people rebuilding a meaningful life after a significant injury or heartbreaking event.  Specializing in Pain and Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation, Kris supports people as they learn to accept their new life while finding ways to live whole heatedly and authentically.  Kris utilizes a variety of modalities to facilitate this process, including mindfulness, expressive art, writing, movement, as well as Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Acceptance Commitment Therapy.  Kris applies these modalities with individuals, couples, and with groups.  When she is not at Progressive Rehabilitation Associates, you'll find Kris deep in the woods riding her off road motorcycle far from civilization.

One of Kris’s passions is using movement to facilitate healing for clients in our Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Pain Program.  While Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people reframe problematic thoughts and challenge core beliefs about pain, movement helps clients access non-verbal emotions associated with their injury that are contributing to fear of movement and impeding full recovery.  Using trauma-informed movement (https://www.traumasensitiveyoga.com/), clients experience the physiological symptoms of activating their sympathetic nervous system. The natural response to movement is increased heartrate and shortness of breath, which mimic a stress response, however when this stress response is engaged in the context of the therapeutic relationship and grounded in coping skills, the associated fear of movement that diminishes.  In this practice, clients learn how to set boundaries and listen to their body, and with this newfound influence over their physiological state, their fear related pain often diminishes.

​Dr. Stason, D.O., is the Medical Director for the Comprehensive Pain Program here at Progressive Rehabilitation Associates.  He is an osteopathic physician who specializes in musculoskeletal pain, mild Traumatic Brain Injury, vision issues, dizziness and psycho-somatic complaints.  He is board certified in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine/Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine through the American Osteopathic Association. He uses conventional medicine including medications, laboratory evaluation, imaging (x-rays, MRI's, etc) as well as osteopathic manipulation as part of his care.  This manipulation is a hands on treatment that is gentle, safe and effective at unwinding strains and releasing tissues to function more normally.
 
Being from Massachusetts, he went to the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine on the coast of Maine for osteopathic medical school, completed his medical internship in Worcester, MA and then his residency in the Bronx, NY.  After teaching and practicing in New York City for a few years he made a sane decision and moved to Portland, OR in 2012 to continue in private practice as well as teaching second year Osteopathic medical students.  He has been associated with PRA since 2015.
 
He loves spending time with his 5 year old daughter, being outdoors, studying birds and bird language, windsurfing and when he can find the time, going on silent meditation retreats.

Learn more about the Comprehensive Pain Program, Comprehensive Brain Injury Program (Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center), and the Vancouver Pain Rehabilitation Program at PRA.

“His hopeful, yet practical, ideas and suggestions challenge me to think and act beyond the constraining limits I set for myself so I can engage in activities that bring me joy.​”

Interested in learning more about Progressive's Brain Injury Rehabilitation and Chronic Pain Rehab programs? Check out Dr. Smith's video on PRA's programs, mission, and treatment values

Are you a provider interested in learning from Greg Smith? Check out these publications and webinars

Behavioral Medicine: A Guide for Clinical Practice: Find Greg's chapter on pain management.
(Webinar) ​Managing Persistent Pain and Substance Use Disorder
(Webinar) The Treatment of Persistent Pain: The History and Evolution of Models of Care