Chronic Pain Psychiatrists in San Jose, CA
![Photo of Kristine Daugherty, PA-C, Physician Assistant](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/087fa766-497a-4777-8e27-0c0270ef9661/2/320x400.jpeg)
Kristine Daugherty
Physician Assistant, PA-C
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Jose, CA 95196 (Online Only)
Welcome! I'm Kristine Daugherty, a seasoned Physician Assistant with a passion for patient-centered healthcare. With over 10 years of experience, I've dedicated myself to empowering individuals in achieving their health and wellness goals. My journey in healthcare has been diverse, encompassing areas such as pain management, mental health, functional medicine, and urgent care. Throughout my career, I've cultivated a holistic approach to care, placing emphasis on understanding each patient's unique needs and circumstances.
Welcome! I'm Kristine Daugherty, a seasoned Physician Assistant with a passion for patient-centered healthcare. With over 10 years of experience, I've dedicated myself to empowering individuals in achieving their health and wellness goals. My journey in healthcare has been diverse, encompassing areas such as pain management, mental health, functional medicine, and urgent care. Throughout my career, I've cultivated a holistic approach to care, placing emphasis on understanding each patient's unique needs and circumstances.
![Photo of Harriet Walker Roeder, MD, MPH, Psychiatrist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/fc9b723b-7ca9-488d-b9e7-1a594903b4d5/3/320x400.jpeg)
I treat patients with a wide variety of medical - psychiatric problems including chronic pain, chronic gastrointestinal symptoms, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, pscho-oncology issues, and psycho-dermatologic issues.
I am a board-certified psychiatrist, trained in both psychiatry and internal medicine. I specialize in mind-body medicine, which involves understanding the complex interactions between physical and mental health. Stress and other emotional factors have a strong influence on physical health, and similarly, physical symptoms and diagnoses can have a significant impact on mental health. Understanding and treating the mind and body together is an essential step towards wellness.
I treat patients with a wide variety of medical - psychiatric problems including chronic pain, chronic gastrointestinal symptoms, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, pscho-oncology issues, and psycho-dermatologic issues.
I am a board-certified psychiatrist, trained in both psychiatry and internal medicine. I specialize in mind-body medicine, which involves understanding the complex interactions between physical and mental health. Stress and other emotional factors have a strong influence on physical health, and similarly, physical symptoms and diagnoses can have a significant impact on mental health. Understanding and treating the mind and body together is an essential step towards wellness.
![Photo of Bryan Hyler, MD, Psychiatrist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/440a091c-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/1/320x400.jpeg)
Unfortunately, illicit drugs, pain pill addiction, emotional, physical and sexual traumas are often the springboard for mental conditions that I treat.
My working philosophy is simple, the patient comes first. That said, my approach to medicine is personalized, cordial, with a collaborative relationship and a touch of professional know how. My experience encompasses child, community, veteran and county mental health clinics. I also provide coverage for crisis houses, inpatient units, psychiatric emergency rooms and detention centers. I am a military veteran, UCLA alumni and Clinical Assistant Professor at University of California, Riverside. Call today for a free phone consultation for medication management of opiate addiction, manic, depressive, anxiety, psychotic and cognitive disorders.
Unfortunately, illicit drugs, pain pill addiction, emotional, physical and sexual traumas are often the springboard for mental conditions that I treat.
My working philosophy is simple, the patient comes first. That said, my approach to medicine is personalized, cordial, with a collaborative relationship and a touch of professional know how. My experience encompasses child, community, veteran and county mental health clinics. I also provide coverage for crisis houses, inpatient units, psychiatric emergency rooms and detention centers. I am a military veteran, UCLA alumni and Clinical Assistant Professor at University of California, Riverside. Call today for a free phone consultation for medication management of opiate addiction, manic, depressive, anxiety, psychotic and cognitive disorders.
![Photo of Joshua Flatow, MD, Psychiatrist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/f1a88b21-0cf5-442f-8e77-c2c3a47c79bf/2/320x400.jpeg)
Pacific Mind Health approaches mental health using a variety of evidence-based treatments including medication, psychotherapy, telemedicine, Spravato, and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). We are excited to offer Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS) - a revolutionary 3-minute procedure with equal or better efficacy to standard 40+ minute TMS protocols. We provide a thorough diagnostic evaluation to create a personalized treatment plan that will help guide you towards wellness. Please use this link for a free informational TMS session https://www.pacificmindhealth.com/tmsinfo.html
Pacific Mind Health approaches mental health using a variety of evidence-based treatments including medication, psychotherapy, telemedicine, Spravato, and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). We are excited to offer Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS) - a revolutionary 3-minute procedure with equal or better efficacy to standard 40+ minute TMS protocols. We provide a thorough diagnostic evaluation to create a personalized treatment plan that will help guide you towards wellness. Please use this link for a free informational TMS session https://www.pacificmindhealth.com/tmsinfo.html
![Photo of Arnold Fosah, MSN, PMHNP, BC, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/d066b891-a21d-4b3d-b4b1-d379f9a1d20f/2/320x400.png)
Arnold Fosah
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, MSN, PMHNP, BC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Jose, CA 95110
If you're feeling sad or anxious or struggling with relationship conflicts or habits that negatively impact your life, I'm here to help. With my therapeutic approach, you can expect to feel completely heard, understood, and empowered towards positive change. Together, we'll work on developing practical tools and gaining new perspectives to help you grow and improve your overall sense of well-being and purpose. In my practice, I use a holistic approach to better understand you and address your unique needs. I'm also trained to diagnose psychiatric disorders and utilize medication therapy when necessary.
If you're feeling sad or anxious or struggling with relationship conflicts or habits that negatively impact your life, I'm here to help. With my therapeutic approach, you can expect to feel completely heard, understood, and empowered towards positive change. Together, we'll work on developing practical tools and gaining new perspectives to help you grow and improve your overall sense of well-being and purpose. In my practice, I use a holistic approach to better understand you and address your unique needs. I'm also trained to diagnose psychiatric disorders and utilize medication therapy when necessary.
![Photo of Uchenna Okoye, MD, Psychiatrist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/06c314d4-ad94-4e77-a8f8-c0a9ffe5a9ff/1/320x400.png)
We know asking for help is a challenging thing to do. We also know that finding a provider you trust to help you navigate mental health care can be a challenge. That's why we're here, and we're doing things differently. As a patient at Bonmente, you enjoy comprehensive treatments customized specifically for your unique circumstances, convenient telemedicine appointments that allow you to see your provider from the comfort of home, an online patient portal that lets you communicate directly with your provider, and a highly trained support team that makes becoming a patient as simple as it should be. Now, welcoming new patients!
We know asking for help is a challenging thing to do. We also know that finding a provider you trust to help you navigate mental health care can be a challenge. That's why we're here, and we're doing things differently. As a patient at Bonmente, you enjoy comprehensive treatments customized specifically for your unique circumstances, convenient telemedicine appointments that allow you to see your provider from the comfort of home, an online patient portal that lets you communicate directly with your provider, and a highly trained support team that makes becoming a patient as simple as it should be. Now, welcoming new patients!
![Photo of Marie Magana - Madina House Clinic, MSN, PMHNP, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/e2265efd-5d17-4e04-a1cc-afd9c270d1cb/1/320x400.jpeg)
Madina House Clinic
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, MSN, PMHNP
Verified Verified
San Jose, CA 95110 (Online Only)
I am committed to creating an environment of safety and support where clients can heal and move forward in their journeys of recovery. I understand the importance of having to change in order to live in line with your own personal values. Throughout my years of education and nursing experience, I have come to realize that our mental health is fundamentally connected to caring for the mind, body, and soul of an individual. I hope to partner with you in developing a plan that works and benefits you and your lifestyle.
I am committed to creating an environment of safety and support where clients can heal and move forward in their journeys of recovery. I understand the importance of having to change in order to live in line with your own personal values. Throughout my years of education and nursing experience, I have come to realize that our mental health is fundamentally connected to caring for the mind, body, and soul of an individual. I hope to partner with you in developing a plan that works and benefits you and your lifestyle.
![Photo of Carmela Zaragoza, PMHNP, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/3d209719-6ee3-4c54-8c8d-bc2209de07e3/1/320x400.jpeg)
Carmela Zaragoza
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, PMHNP
Verified Verified
San Jose, CA 95103 (Online Only)
We know asking for help is not an easy thing to do. We also know that finding a provider you trust to help you navigate mental health care can be a challenge. That's why we're here and we're doing things differently. As a patient at Bonmente, you enjoy comprehensive treatments customized specifically for your unique circumstances, convenient telemedicine appointments that allow you to see your provider from the comfort of home, an online patient portal that lets you communicate directly with your provider, and a highly trained support team that makes becoming a patient as simple as it should be. Now welcoming new patients!
We know asking for help is not an easy thing to do. We also know that finding a provider you trust to help you navigate mental health care can be a challenge. That's why we're here and we're doing things differently. As a patient at Bonmente, you enjoy comprehensive treatments customized specifically for your unique circumstances, convenient telemedicine appointments that allow you to see your provider from the comfort of home, an online patient portal that lets you communicate directly with your provider, and a highly trained support team that makes becoming a patient as simple as it should be. Now welcoming new patients!
![Photo of Jaspreet Takhar, PMHNP30, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/4422b267-e1e9-41a5-ae62-a28539e370e6/1/320x400.png)
Jaspreet Takhar
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, PMHNP30
Verified Verified
San Jose, CA 95102 (Online Only)
We know asking for help is not an easy thing to do. We also know that finding a provider you trust to help you navigate mental health care can be a challenge. That's why we're here and we're doing things differently. As a patient at Bonmente, you enjoy comprehensive treatments customized specifically for your unique circumstances, convenient telemedicine appointments that allow you to see your provider from the comfort of home, an online patient portal that lets you communicate directly with your provider, and a highly trained support team that makes becoming a patient as simple as it should be. Now welcoming new patients!
We know asking for help is not an easy thing to do. We also know that finding a provider you trust to help you navigate mental health care can be a challenge. That's why we're here and we're doing things differently. As a patient at Bonmente, you enjoy comprehensive treatments customized specifically for your unique circumstances, convenient telemedicine appointments that allow you to see your provider from the comfort of home, an online patient portal that lets you communicate directly with your provider, and a highly trained support team that makes becoming a patient as simple as it should be. Now welcoming new patients!
More Psychiatrists Nearby
![Photo of Matthew Carpinello - Sonoran Psychiatric Care, MD, Psychiatrist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/a3440d59-6760-4df3-9c2f-f95b7814a564/1/320x400.png)
At Sonoran Psychiatric Care, our ideal client struggles with complex Psychiatric conditions that have been resistant to standard treatments. They may face persistent depression, anxiety, substance abuse, psychosomatic symptoms, or autism. Seeking thorough evaluation and precise, scientifically grounded treatment, they desire a Psychiatrist who understands the intricate connections between physical and mental health. Their goal is to achieve better mental health, find effective treatments, and improve their overall quality of life without the long wait times typical of insurance-based practices.
At Sonoran Psychiatric Care, our ideal client struggles with complex Psychiatric conditions that have been resistant to standard treatments. They may face persistent depression, anxiety, substance abuse, psychosomatic symptoms, or autism. Seeking thorough evaluation and precise, scientifically grounded treatment, they desire a Psychiatrist who understands the intricate connections between physical and mental health. Their goal is to achieve better mental health, find effective treatments, and improve their overall quality of life without the long wait times typical of insurance-based practices.
![Photo of Sandra Kamiak, MD, Psychiatrist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/3cfb8ad7-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/2/320x400.jpeg)
Usually people come in for help when there is some distress ( symptoms can be a wake-up call to pay attention- to grow or heal- change- or rest more): I see people from all walks of life- with anxiety, prolonged sadness,grief or stress, pms- menopause symptoms,chronic fatigue, allergies-asthma, thyroid issues, insomnia, co-dependent or burned out workers/ givers, alcoholics wanting more recovery, straight-or gay people etc. I work best with someone that really wants to clear or transform deeper dysfunctional patterns as well, and strive toward higher qualities of soul purpose,love, joy, serenity, focus, balance, and self-discovery.
Usually people come in for help when there is some distress ( symptoms can be a wake-up call to pay attention- to grow or heal- change- or rest more): I see people from all walks of life- with anxiety, prolonged sadness,grief or stress, pms- menopause symptoms,chronic fatigue, allergies-asthma, thyroid issues, insomnia, co-dependent or burned out workers/ givers, alcoholics wanting more recovery, straight-or gay people etc. I work best with someone that really wants to clear or transform deeper dysfunctional patterns as well, and strive toward higher qualities of soul purpose,love, joy, serenity, focus, balance, and self-discovery.
![Photo of Joshua Flatow, MD, Psychiatrist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/b9540dee-8689-4c19-bba8-feae9bb60ece/3/320x400.jpeg)
Pacific Mind Health approaches mental health using a variety of evidence-based treatments including medication, Psychotherapy, Telemedicine, Spravato, and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). We are excited to offer Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS) - a revolutionary 3-minute procedure with equal or better efficacy to standard 40+ minute TMS protocols. We provide a thorough diagnostic evaluation to create a personalized treatment plan that will help guide you towards wellness. Please use this link for a free informational TMS session https://www.pacificmindhealth.com/tmsinfo.html
Pacific Mind Health approaches mental health using a variety of evidence-based treatments including medication, Psychotherapy, Telemedicine, Spravato, and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). We are excited to offer Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS) - a revolutionary 3-minute procedure with equal or better efficacy to standard 40+ minute TMS protocols. We provide a thorough diagnostic evaluation to create a personalized treatment plan that will help guide you towards wellness. Please use this link for a free informational TMS session https://www.pacificmindhealth.com/tmsinfo.html
![Photo of Sham Singh, MD , Psychiatrist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/53933518-56c6-4489-9086-a330da1fdaa1/1/320x400.jpeg)
We know asking for help is not an easy thing to do. We also know that finding a provider you trust to help you navigate mental health care can be a challenge. That's why we're here and we're doing things differently. As a patient at Bonmente, you enjoy comprehensive treatments customized specifically for your unique circumstances, convenient telemedicine appointments that allow you to see your provider from the comfort of home, an online patient portal that lets you communicate directly with your provider, and a highly trained support team that makes becoming a patient as simple as it should be. Now welcoming new patients!
We know asking for help is not an easy thing to do. We also know that finding a provider you trust to help you navigate mental health care can be a challenge. That's why we're here and we're doing things differently. As a patient at Bonmente, you enjoy comprehensive treatments customized specifically for your unique circumstances, convenient telemedicine appointments that allow you to see your provider from the comfort of home, an online patient portal that lets you communicate directly with your provider, and a highly trained support team that makes becoming a patient as simple as it should be. Now welcoming new patients!
Online Psychiatrists
![Photo of M Rameen Ghorieshi, MD, MPH, Psychiatrist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/3c9f9230-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/3/320x400.jpeg)
I care for patients from the paradigm that mental and physical health are so strongly intertwined that one may not fully achieve either without striving for both. I treat both a vast range of psychiatric conditions and help those who wish to better understand themselves and their relationships. My areas of interest include anxiety, depression, whole body health, coping with medical illness, and addiction medicine. I will formulate a customized treatment plan, which may include psychotherapy, medications, and behavioral techniques, to best care for your condition and meet your needs.
I care for patients from the paradigm that mental and physical health are so strongly intertwined that one may not fully achieve either without striving for both. I treat both a vast range of psychiatric conditions and help those who wish to better understand themselves and their relationships. My areas of interest include anxiety, depression, whole body health, coping with medical illness, and addiction medicine. I will formulate a customized treatment plan, which may include psychotherapy, medications, and behavioral techniques, to best care for your condition and meet your needs.
![Photo of Beatrice Rabkin, MD, Psychiatrist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/e09efdf2-9871-4114-8d2b-f3d50881a28f/2/320x400.jpeg)
Passionate about the complex interplay between medical illness and mental health, I completed specialty fellowship training in consult-liaison psychiatry at Stanford University, with focus on psychosomatic medicine.
Thank you for visiting my profile! I am a board-certified general psychiatrist, working with a variety of patients in my outpatient practice. I have office locations in San Francisco and Palo Alto. While I specialize in medication management, I use a multimodal approach with clients that draws upon psychotherapy, mindfulness work, Yoga psychology, and other integrative practices. For more info about my holistic approach to treatment, here's an informative podcast highlighting my work: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/holistic-psychiatry-dr-beatrice-rabkin-md/id1501515784?i=1000502625263 or https://youtu.be/wJe3t3ZzkNs
Passionate about the complex interplay between medical illness and mental health, I completed specialty fellowship training in consult-liaison psychiatry at Stanford University, with focus on psychosomatic medicine.
Thank you for visiting my profile! I am a board-certified general psychiatrist, working with a variety of patients in my outpatient practice. I have office locations in San Francisco and Palo Alto. While I specialize in medication management, I use a multimodal approach with clients that draws upon psychotherapy, mindfulness work, Yoga psychology, and other integrative practices. For more info about my holistic approach to treatment, here's an informative podcast highlighting my work: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/holistic-psychiatry-dr-beatrice-rabkin-md/id1501515784?i=1000502625263 or https://youtu.be/wJe3t3ZzkNs
![Photo of Veronica Couture, MD, Psychiatrist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/14222902-c61b-4c5c-9b15-e772fca05928/1/320x400.png)
Veronica Couture
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94133 (Online Only)
Life feels overwhelming sometimes. You know that mental health struggles are real, but you’re not sure if what you’re feeling is normal or needs treatment. At the same time, it feels like you’re never doing enough. Exhaustion gets the best of you and then the self-critical thoughts get louder. You deserve a space that is just for you, to find deep healing from anxiety and stress. All are welcome to be seen and heard including those from our BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. Many of my patients are struggling with anxiety, experiencing chronic illness or grief, or want to reduce medications while exploring other options for healing.
Life feels overwhelming sometimes. You know that mental health struggles are real, but you’re not sure if what you’re feeling is normal or needs treatment. At the same time, it feels like you’re never doing enough. Exhaustion gets the best of you and then the self-critical thoughts get louder. You deserve a space that is just for you, to find deep healing from anxiety and stress. All are welcome to be seen and heard including those from our BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. Many of my patients are struggling with anxiety, experiencing chronic illness or grief, or want to reduce medications while exploring other options for healing.
![Photo of Juliet Morgan, MD, Psychiatrist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/a8e7dede-8b13-4204-8002-99eb03f9c055/1/320x400.jpeg)
Thank you for your interest in my practice. I am a psychiatrist and neuropsychiatrist working with a variety of clients in-person and over tele-health. I specialize in the integrative treatment of patients with mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD, neuropsychiatric illness, and healing from trauma. I am a board certified neurologist, and understand the complex interplay between the structural “hardware” and emotional “software” in the brain. I have been featured in several media outlets including KQED and CBS for my work with clients with COVID-19 patients. I also teach extensively on neuropsychiatry and neuroanatomy at UCSF.
Thank you for your interest in my practice. I am a psychiatrist and neuropsychiatrist working with a variety of clients in-person and over tele-health. I specialize in the integrative treatment of patients with mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD, neuropsychiatric illness, and healing from trauma. I am a board certified neurologist, and understand the complex interplay between the structural “hardware” and emotional “software” in the brain. I have been featured in several media outlets including KQED and CBS for my work with clients with COVID-19 patients. I also teach extensively on neuropsychiatry and neuroanatomy at UCSF.
![Photo of Greer Murphy, MD, PhD, Psychiatrist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/71c42a68-a041-4539-addc-8733fb7154a8/2/320x400.jpeg)
I can help you with: Treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, compulsions, and trauma. Also, insomnia, chronic fatigue, inattention and lack of focus. Memory and other cognitive concerns, even when complicated by agitation. Overuse and dependence on habit-forming prescription and non-prescription substances. Workplace and family issues. Chronic pain and Long COVID mood, energy, and cognitive changes. Nonresponse to medication and psychotherapies given by other providers. I also have decades of experience treating severe mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder and psychosis in hospital, outpatient, and residential settings.
I can help you with: Treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, compulsions, and trauma. Also, insomnia, chronic fatigue, inattention and lack of focus. Memory and other cognitive concerns, even when complicated by agitation. Overuse and dependence on habit-forming prescription and non-prescription substances. Workplace and family issues. Chronic pain and Long COVID mood, energy, and cognitive changes. Nonresponse to medication and psychotherapies given by other providers. I also have decades of experience treating severe mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder and psychosis in hospital, outpatient, and residential settings.
![Photo of Omid Naim - Hope Integrative Psychiatry, MD, Psychiatrist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/7ea4263a-bffe-4a0a-9ea8-e543aafdc9bf/2/320x400.jpeg)
If you would like to make an appointment or ask further questions you can also email us at admin@hopepsychiatry.com. Hope was founded to offer a more natural and complete way of helping people recover from mental illness. Blending together insights from the emerging sciences of Interpersonal Neurobiology and Evolutionary Psychology with more ancient practices that have evidence like Mindfulness,Breathwork and Yoga, we focus on shifting people’s consciousness from a disease model to one that empowers our innate capacity to heal and find meaning in our struggle towards wholeness and optimal health.
If you would like to make an appointment or ask further questions you can also email us at admin@hopepsychiatry.com. Hope was founded to offer a more natural and complete way of helping people recover from mental illness. Blending together insights from the emerging sciences of Interpersonal Neurobiology and Evolutionary Psychology with more ancient practices that have evidence like Mindfulness,Breathwork and Yoga, we focus on shifting people’s consciousness from a disease model to one that empowers our innate capacity to heal and find meaning in our struggle towards wholeness and optimal health.
![Photo of Daniel Smeester, MD, Psychiatrist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/450a5846-2b80-441f-a0c1-0aaedb60ab9f/3/320x400.jpeg)
We offer a medical model of treatment, evidence-based; and help with any chronic pain, especially back and neck pain and neuropathic pain is available with our addiction-free pain management program.
There IS immediate help for those who are battling substance use disorder. You do not need to wait in the emergency room for help with withdrawal symptoms, or to find help to stop using. We have an outpatient program that provides everything you need, including in-person group counseling and an outpatient detox center. Personalized care. We also have a Telehealth program for those who prefer this. If you are battling pain, our addiction-free pain management program provides expert spine and musculoskeletal care as well as care for neuropathic pain- all non-surgical procedures performed, and of course primarily non-opiate based.
We offer a medical model of treatment, evidence-based; and help with any chronic pain, especially back and neck pain and neuropathic pain is available with our addiction-free pain management program.
There IS immediate help for those who are battling substance use disorder. You do not need to wait in the emergency room for help with withdrawal symptoms, or to find help to stop using. We have an outpatient program that provides everything you need, including in-person group counseling and an outpatient detox center. Personalized care. We also have a Telehealth program for those who prefer this. If you are battling pain, our addiction-free pain management program provides expert spine and musculoskeletal care as well as care for neuropathic pain- all non-surgical procedures performed, and of course primarily non-opiate based.
See more therapy options for San Jose
Nearby Chronic Pain Psychiatrists Searches for San Jose
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How does chronic pain therapy work?
Engaging with a psychotherapist to help treat chronic pain does not mean that one’s pain is all in their head. Therapy for chronic-pain patients has been shown to benefit both the mind and the body, targeting physical symptoms and increasing daily functioning. In other words, for many, addressing their emotional health through therapy affects their physical health. A therapist can help a client challenge unhelpful thoughts about pain and develop new ways to respond to it, such as distraction or calming breathing techniques. Studies have found that therapy can be as effective as surgery for certain cases of chronic pain and many doctors recommend trying psychotherapy in advance of considering invasive surgery.
What are the most effective treatment options for chronic pain?
Stress, anxiety, depression, catastrophizing, ruminating, lack of activity, and social withdrawal all make chronic pain worse. Addressing these issues, research shows, can help people gain control over their pain symptoms. Therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, and mindfulness-based stress reduction, along with greater pain-management education, have been found to help people reduce fear and disability.
Are there new treatments for chronic pain?
Many cases of chronic pain, particularly those involving back pain, remain medically unexplained. But there is evidence that changes in the brain or nervous system are caused by previous physical ailments such as tissue damage; in such cases, the brain may continue to send out pain signals despite the physical cause having healed. To aid patients under these circumstances, a recently developed treatment known as pain reprocessing therapy (PRT) is designed to help the brain “unlearn” this response. A PRT practitioner helps individuals to reduce the “threat value” of their ongoing pain signals until they can reappraise them as less threatening and fear-inducing. They also help an individual to develop new emotional regulation skills.
How long does therapy for chronic pain take?
There is no set timeline for recovery from chronic pain, especially as there may be a range of physical and psychological causes for any individual’s discomfort, but most patients should expect to see a therapist for a number of weeks or months, typically spanning at least 12 sessions. Studies of pain reprocessing therapy found that many individuals’ experience of pain lessened in eight sessions over four weeks.