Chronic Pain Therapists in Half Moon Bay, CA
![Photo of Siobhan O'Connor, MA, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/3e666c36-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/3/320x400.jpeg)
I specialise in chronic pain and chronic health-related challenges because of a life-changing accident when I was 22.
I am a collaborator helping you get the quality of life you deserve. Together, we will work towards the changes you are hoping to make in your life. We'll look at the barriers, the "what's getting in the way" of what you'd like your daily life to be like. My belief about doing therapy with people is that you are the expert in your life. My job is to help you find a stronger connection to your preferred self, and help you untangle from the habits that get in the way of you being more comfortable in your own skin.
I specialise in chronic pain and chronic health-related challenges because of a life-changing accident when I was 22.
I am a collaborator helping you get the quality of life you deserve. Together, we will work towards the changes you are hoping to make in your life. We'll look at the barriers, the "what's getting in the way" of what you'd like your daily life to be like. My belief about doing therapy with people is that you are the expert in your life. My job is to help you find a stronger connection to your preferred self, and help you untangle from the habits that get in the way of you being more comfortable in your own skin.
![Photo of Dr. Elizabeth Weiss, PsyD, Psychologist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/b14a53bf-7f44-4304-98e7-028d18521a22/2/320x400.jpeg)
Sometimes life brings challenges that require us to learn and grow in unforeseen ways. These challenges can take the form of an illness in ourselves or a loved one, death, the loss of dreams held dearly, and trials that are part of living and maturing. I work collaboratively with individuals, families, and couples to help them overcome the stressful events they face.
Sometimes life brings challenges that require us to learn and grow in unforeseen ways. These challenges can take the form of an illness in ourselves or a loved one, death, the loss of dreams held dearly, and trials that are part of living and maturing. I work collaboratively with individuals, families, and couples to help them overcome the stressful events they face.
![Photo of Michelle Stupar - Michelle Stupar-Integrative Mind Body Solutions, CHT, RMT](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/4522a790-b00e-4dea-b676-b6ce4c9f7aae/3/320x400.jpeg)
Suggestions; statements pertaining to the success of the client's goal, tap into the brain mechanisms involved in attention, motor control, pain perception, beliefs and volition.
Helping to uncover the root cause of distress by uncovering negative patterns and addressing painful mental states such as avoidance, isolation, people-pleasing, low self-esteem, confusion, worry, stress, and anxiety while working together to come up with a customized plan to manage the situation to feel more in control and live a happier more fulfilling life. Our approach is direct, positive & uplifting using a customized therapeutic approach in a supportive and accepting manner. We believe that through education along with a focused therapeutic approach yields the most successful results and I am there every step of the way.
Suggestions; statements pertaining to the success of the client's goal, tap into the brain mechanisms involved in attention, motor control, pain perception, beliefs and volition.
Helping to uncover the root cause of distress by uncovering negative patterns and addressing painful mental states such as avoidance, isolation, people-pleasing, low self-esteem, confusion, worry, stress, and anxiety while working together to come up with a customized plan to manage the situation to feel more in control and live a happier more fulfilling life. Our approach is direct, positive & uplifting using a customized therapeutic approach in a supportive and accepting manner. We believe that through education along with a focused therapeutic approach yields the most successful results and I am there every step of the way.
![Photo of Lawanda Hoyle, LCSW, Clinical Social Work/Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/145a0491-28e9-49fd-b9aa-0024235b3462/1/320x400.png)
I have worked with individuals with co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse issues.
Are you struggling with your mental health, or is your life just simply overwhelming at times? I can help you identify the patterns in your life that are limiting you and guide you toward developing better-coping skills to find healing and live the life you want to live. My focus is to empower you to be the very best “You” that you can be. Whether you are struggling with substance use, anxiety, depression, stress, grief, relationship issues, or trauma, I am here to help you through it. I want to help you achieve your goals through a positive therapeutic relationship that creates long-lasting results in your recovery.
I have worked with individuals with co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse issues.
Are you struggling with your mental health, or is your life just simply overwhelming at times? I can help you identify the patterns in your life that are limiting you and guide you toward developing better-coping skills to find healing and live the life you want to live. My focus is to empower you to be the very best “You” that you can be. Whether you are struggling with substance use, anxiety, depression, stress, grief, relationship issues, or trauma, I am here to help you through it. I want to help you achieve your goals through a positive therapeutic relationship that creates long-lasting results in your recovery.
More Therapists Nearby
![Photo of Pearl B Werfel, PhD, Psychologist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/3b56d9e3-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/8/320x400.jpeg)
I offer a safe and comforting place for you to more deeply connect with yourself, learn tools to mitigate stress and physical and emotional pain and allow yourself to heal.
Even the most capable and intelligent person will sometimes need help. My clients include professionals, supervisors, executives, and healthcare providers who seek to better manage the stressors of their professional and personal lives. I create a safe and comfortable environment where you can learn how to decrease stress and anxiety, sleep better, reduce or eliminate pain, live well with chronic illness, resolve past trauma and stop self-limiting behaviors. My over 25 years of experience and training enables me to tailor therapeutic interventions to your needs.
I offer a safe and comforting place for you to more deeply connect with yourself, learn tools to mitigate stress and physical and emotional pain and allow yourself to heal.
Even the most capable and intelligent person will sometimes need help. My clients include professionals, supervisors, executives, and healthcare providers who seek to better manage the stressors of their professional and personal lives. I create a safe and comfortable environment where you can learn how to decrease stress and anxiety, sleep better, reduce or eliminate pain, live well with chronic illness, resolve past trauma and stop self-limiting behaviors. My over 25 years of experience and training enables me to tailor therapeutic interventions to your needs.
![Photo of Randi L Wren, MA, BCC, CC](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/5aa11312-ce03-40db-8d2d-bbc7ef2b0624/1/320x400.png)
Our loss and pain needs to be shared and eventually to find its way to meaning.
I am a seasoned spiritual health specialist, theologian, chaplain, and counselor. My passion is to discuss and reflect upon life's ultimate issues and guide one in deliberating existential questions. I use a hope-meaning-based spiritual model. This model blends reason and spirituality, science and faith, to form a unique psycho-spiritual practice to fight the darkness of suffering and loss and seek illumination. I specialize in helping clients make meaning and purpose in their own lives. We explore what it means to heal and how despair, sadness, and fear are a natural part of this process. We also face the fullness of death.
Our loss and pain needs to be shared and eventually to find its way to meaning.
I am a seasoned spiritual health specialist, theologian, chaplain, and counselor. My passion is to discuss and reflect upon life's ultimate issues and guide one in deliberating existential questions. I use a hope-meaning-based spiritual model. This model blends reason and spirituality, science and faith, to form a unique psycho-spiritual practice to fight the darkness of suffering and loss and seek illumination. I specialize in helping clients make meaning and purpose in their own lives. We explore what it means to heal and how despair, sadness, and fear are a natural part of this process. We also face the fullness of death.
![Photo of Lindsay Voyles, MA, LMFT, CCHT, RYT-200, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/470bdcc7-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/2/320x400.jpeg)
Lindsay Voyles
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, CCHT, RYT-200
Verified Verified
San Mateo, CA 94401
Waitlist for new clients
Like the Egyptian Phoenix, who rises from the ashes, people have the ability to regenerate themselves from traumatic & negative life experiences, & transform their pain & hardship into sources of strength. It is my role as a psychotherapist to be present with you on your personal journey of growth & self-discovery & to help facilitate a deeper, more authentic connection with yourself & others in your life. Through inner work cultivating & encouraging deeper self-awareness along with compassion for one's self & others, clients can connect with their own innate sense of self & wholeness.
Like the Egyptian Phoenix, who rises from the ashes, people have the ability to regenerate themselves from traumatic & negative life experiences, & transform their pain & hardship into sources of strength. It is my role as a psychotherapist to be present with you on your personal journey of growth & self-discovery & to help facilitate a deeper, more authentic connection with yourself & others in your life. Through inner work cultivating & encouraging deeper self-awareness along with compassion for one's self & others, clients can connect with their own innate sense of self & wholeness.
![Photo of Katrina Sesline, LCSW, Clinical Social Work/Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/692ae62a-ed3e-471d-98bb-a88ba580f81f/1/320x400.png)
Katrina Sesline
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
San Mateo, CA 94402 (Online Only)
I specialize in treating adults living with a disabling health condition, caregivers who are supporting someone with a health condition, and those grieving the loss of a loved one. Living with a serious illness or grief can bring out difficult feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, depression and fear. I use an integrative approach with elements of narrative therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindfulness. Together, let's create a safe space to help you cope while attending to your heart, mind, and body.
I specialize in treating adults living with a disabling health condition, caregivers who are supporting someone with a health condition, and those grieving the loss of a loved one. Living with a serious illness or grief can bring out difficult feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, depression and fear. I use an integrative approach with elements of narrative therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindfulness. Together, let's create a safe space to help you cope while attending to your heart, mind, and body.
![Photo of Kristen Telon, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/3c2aeaa2-a562-4526-a7eb-01b377563548/1/320x400.jpeg)
I healed so much through therapy and I am here to protect you and help you heal, to not feel alone, and to help you feel less pain.
Hi I'm Kristen Telon, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I am a huge advocate for early intervention and looking into childhood for answers to issues in adulthood. I am very passionate about being a therapist and being here to help my clients by being there for them through their journey. My approach to therapy is client-centered because I want to tailor my approach to each clients unique situation. My favorite therapy modalities are CBT, DBT, IFS, EMDR, Family systems, and EFT.
I healed so much through therapy and I am here to protect you and help you heal, to not feel alone, and to help you feel less pain.
Hi I'm Kristen Telon, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I am a huge advocate for early intervention and looking into childhood for answers to issues in adulthood. I am very passionate about being a therapist and being here to help my clients by being there for them through their journey. My approach to therapy is client-centered because I want to tailor my approach to each clients unique situation. My favorite therapy modalities are CBT, DBT, IFS, EMDR, Family systems, and EFT.
![Photo of Annemarie Ballinger, MA, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/18ceb4c8-6099-40cd-b68d-ae28abadf46a/1/320x400.jpeg)
Seeing your pain and your potential is also key.
I know that finding a therapist can be a daunting task, especially when things are hard enough already! Maybe you are new to therapy or have been struggling for years to resolve anxiety, depression, relationship stress or past hurts and still unable to find relief. For 30 years I have been helping clients work through these and similar issues. Research and experience has taught me that a positive client-therapist relationship is key to a good therapy outcome. We are all authorities on our own life experience. Through active listening and dialogue, I strive to understand and attune to your unique experience with respect and care.
Seeing your pain and your potential is also key.
I know that finding a therapist can be a daunting task, especially when things are hard enough already! Maybe you are new to therapy or have been struggling for years to resolve anxiety, depression, relationship stress or past hurts and still unable to find relief. For 30 years I have been helping clients work through these and similar issues. Research and experience has taught me that a positive client-therapist relationship is key to a good therapy outcome. We are all authorities on our own life experience. Through active listening and dialogue, I strive to understand and attune to your unique experience with respect and care.
![Photo of Jenny Vladimirov, LCSW, Clinical Social Work/Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/4e101e80-ab3c-408c-8a00-927c30399ae3/1/320x400.jpeg)
As we age, our well-being is impacted by various life transitions such as retirement, physical health issues, relocation, and loss of loved ones. I provide assistance in navigating this new territory with a focus on building resilience, supporting personal agency, developing coping skills, and increasing mindfulness. During psychotherapy sessions and care consultations, I offer guidance in the following areas: mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, sleep disorders, grief and loss, living with illness, disability, and chronic pain, planning for retirement and aging, caregiving and care-receiving.
As we age, our well-being is impacted by various life transitions such as retirement, physical health issues, relocation, and loss of loved ones. I provide assistance in navigating this new territory with a focus on building resilience, supporting personal agency, developing coping skills, and increasing mindfulness. During psychotherapy sessions and care consultations, I offer guidance in the following areas: mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, sleep disorders, grief and loss, living with illness, disability, and chronic pain, planning for retirement and aging, caregiving and care-receiving.
![Photo of Sonja Wishard, MA, AMFT, ATR](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/0b7a0545-c6a3-4fb5-9fd9-02cf1350996d/2/320x400.jpeg)
Sonja Wishard
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, AMFT, ATR
Verified Verified
San Mateo, CA 94401
I support individuals and families in coping with challenges related to anxiety, depression, relational issues, and trauma, with a specialization in managing chronic pain, adjusting to illness, and processing grief and loss. Whether you or your family is navigating a major life transition, struggling interpersonally, or grappling with a medical diagnosis, I'm here to help.
I support individuals and families in coping with challenges related to anxiety, depression, relational issues, and trauma, with a specialization in managing chronic pain, adjusting to illness, and processing grief and loss. Whether you or your family is navigating a major life transition, struggling interpersonally, or grappling with a medical diagnosis, I'm here to help.
![Photo of Carol Jaron, MS, MFT, CHT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/3b553c19-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/2/320x400.jpeg)
You can clear patterns at a deeper level that create problems in your relationships, or learn to lessen pain and worry from loss,body image issues, addiction, trauma, ADD and more.
Your mind and body make a powerful, interwoven pair. Is your body expressing what the thoughts are repressing? Easing and gently lifting your sense of heaviness from anxiety, depression, grief, isolation and emptiness of spirit can be closer than you ever believed! Let me guide you to the other side of "stuck" in your personal and professional relationships, emotions, body issues, and success. When we are in a session all the focus is on being fully present for,and deeply listening to you, offering a clear, kind and soothing direction, towards releasing unhealthy thought patterns by integrating with body feelings.
You can clear patterns at a deeper level that create problems in your relationships, or learn to lessen pain and worry from loss,body image issues, addiction, trauma, ADD and more.
Your mind and body make a powerful, interwoven pair. Is your body expressing what the thoughts are repressing? Easing and gently lifting your sense of heaviness from anxiety, depression, grief, isolation and emptiness of spirit can be closer than you ever believed! Let me guide you to the other side of "stuck" in your personal and professional relationships, emotions, body issues, and success. When we are in a session all the focus is on being fully present for,and deeply listening to you, offering a clear, kind and soothing direction, towards releasing unhealthy thought patterns by integrating with body feelings.
![Photo of Patricia Scheldrup, LCSW, Clinical Social Work/Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/d184a89c-a3ab-4558-8779-3a027b0cf263/1/320x400.jpeg)
Patricia Scheldrup
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Mateo, CA 94401 (Online Only)
I have also assisted people struggling with various life transitions, family/relationship issues, grief and chronic pain.
Hi, I'm Patricia Scheldrup, LCSW. Welcome to Conscious Counseling, where everyday reality and higher states of consciousness meet. Healing through holistic care: mind, body and spirit. Like the lotus flower, you too have likely survived harsh conditions, only to rise again. I will honor your resiliency, accentuate your strengths and help you build new pathways to calm. I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 13 years of experience. I provide teletherapy services to adults throughout California and Texas.
I have also assisted people struggling with various life transitions, family/relationship issues, grief and chronic pain.
Hi, I'm Patricia Scheldrup, LCSW. Welcome to Conscious Counseling, where everyday reality and higher states of consciousness meet. Healing through holistic care: mind, body and spirit. Like the lotus flower, you too have likely survived harsh conditions, only to rise again. I will honor your resiliency, accentuate your strengths and help you build new pathways to calm. I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 13 years of experience. I provide teletherapy services to adults throughout California and Texas.
![Photo of Dr. Ranjan Patel, PsyD, MFT, CPC, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/208e60e9-1d29-4ebe-93bb-4278e15d7f03/2/320x400.jpeg)
Dr. Ranjan Patel
Marriage & Family Therapist, PsyD, MFT, CPC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Burlingame, CA 94010 (Online Only)
Psychotherapy is a sacred process where you trust the therapist and make a pact to enter a private world of pain. You're visiting this site and seeking help: I admire that you're acknowledging your needs-this reflects your strength and commitment to yourself. Rather than avoiding, you're confronting stuff--it takes extraordinary courage. We are born resilient, and though we might feel deflated, life cannot knock this resilience out of us. With your resourcefulness, you're looking for a therapist . . . you're reading this sentence, and you're taking the first step . . . congratulations!
Psychotherapy is a sacred process where you trust the therapist and make a pact to enter a private world of pain. You're visiting this site and seeking help: I admire that you're acknowledging your needs-this reflects your strength and commitment to yourself. Rather than avoiding, you're confronting stuff--it takes extraordinary courage. We are born resilient, and though we might feel deflated, life cannot knock this resilience out of us. With your resourcefulness, you're looking for a therapist . . . you're reading this sentence, and you're taking the first step . . . congratulations!
![Photo of Sarah Rose Nagle, LCSW, Clinical Social Work/Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/3bf8ffe3-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/4/320x400.jpeg)
Sarah Rose Nagle
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
San Mateo, CA 94402 (Online Only)
With 22 years of experience of working with family upheaval, foster care and physical and sexual abuse, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and domestic violence, I enjoy being present for those working on the above issues. Issues of loss and grief, parenting skills or a new life direction. In recent years, I have come to love working with families and siblings of children diagnosed with Autism. Many times these family members are left with no support in the day in and day out living with a child or sibling with Autism. Chronic pain is also a major interest of mine.
With 22 years of experience of working with family upheaval, foster care and physical and sexual abuse, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and domestic violence, I enjoy being present for those working on the above issues. Issues of loss and grief, parenting skills or a new life direction. In recent years, I have come to love working with families and siblings of children diagnosed with Autism. Many times these family members are left with no support in the day in and day out living with a child or sibling with Autism. Chronic pain is also a major interest of mine.
![Photo of Jiewen (Janice) Huang, LCSW, CGE, Clinical Social Work/Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/3600d778-1b57-4f67-ba95-0886bd2243c2/2/320x400.jpeg)
Jiewen (Janice) Huang
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, CGE
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Mateo, CA 94402
Waitlist for new clients
My goal is to assist you in becoming more aware of your outer and inner challenges and resources, growing from your struggles, healing from your pain, and moving forward to who you want to become and where you want to be in your life.
Depression and anxiety are some of the most common mental-health-related challenges that create difficult thoughts and feelings, which we can experience at some point in our lives. Through counseling and treatment, I am here to assist you in restrengthening/restoring/gaining motivation, perspective, and values in your life. Many individuals can experience symptoms associated with painful and traumatic circumstances. I can help you with gaining skills in coping with these symptoms and guide you through the process of grief and healing. My practice also focuses on anticipatory grief, normal grief, and complicated grief.
My goal is to assist you in becoming more aware of your outer and inner challenges and resources, growing from your struggles, healing from your pain, and moving forward to who you want to become and where you want to be in your life.
Depression and anxiety are some of the most common mental-health-related challenges that create difficult thoughts and feelings, which we can experience at some point in our lives. Through counseling and treatment, I am here to assist you in restrengthening/restoring/gaining motivation, perspective, and values in your life. Many individuals can experience symptoms associated with painful and traumatic circumstances. I can help you with gaining skills in coping with these symptoms and guide you through the process of grief and healing. My practice also focuses on anticipatory grief, normal grief, and complicated grief.
![Photo of Michelle Mayes, MA, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/50d228e0-9105-4f35-a8c3-c6473b182822/1/320x400.jpeg)
I chose to be a therapist to help people heal from pain and life struggles.
Welcome to my page! I want to honor your courage in making it to this step in your therapy journey. At some point all of us will experience brokenness, and our past may leave its marks. I like to think of healing through therapy like Kintsugi—the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Instead of hiding the break, the gold honors its uniqueness and makes the pottery stronger than it was before. Like Kintsugi, our true beauty can be shown in the way we fill our cracks to help us heal. Our flaws and wounds make us who we are, and by honoring them through our restoration in therapy, we become stronger people.
I chose to be a therapist to help people heal from pain and life struggles.
Welcome to my page! I want to honor your courage in making it to this step in your therapy journey. At some point all of us will experience brokenness, and our past may leave its marks. I like to think of healing through therapy like Kintsugi—the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Instead of hiding the break, the gold honors its uniqueness and makes the pottery stronger than it was before. Like Kintsugi, our true beauty can be shown in the way we fill our cracks to help us heal. Our flaws and wounds make us who we are, and by honoring them through our restoration in therapy, we become stronger people.
![Photo of Christina Martinez, MS, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/23d0f1f0-86bf-4120-9d0c-02f5ef7263a9/1/320x400.jpeg)
Christina Martinez
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
San Mateo, CA 94401 (Online Only)
To live is to feel pain in its various expressions. Our relationships with our family systems are often the blueprint by which we respond to the experience. Certain responses can result in experiences of depression, anxiety, or the habitual urge to numb ourselves. The ability to experience, hold space for, and then release our pain is the path to healing; where your heart & mind stop fighting and arrive together finding acceptance, peace, and understanding. "The climb might be tough and challenging, but the view is worth it. There is a purpose for that pain; you just can’t always see it right away." – Victoria Arlen.
To live is to feel pain in its various expressions. Our relationships with our family systems are often the blueprint by which we respond to the experience. Certain responses can result in experiences of depression, anxiety, or the habitual urge to numb ourselves. The ability to experience, hold space for, and then release our pain is the path to healing; where your heart & mind stop fighting and arrive together finding acceptance, peace, and understanding. "The climb might be tough and challenging, but the view is worth it. There is a purpose for that pain; you just can’t always see it right away." – Victoria Arlen.
![Photo of Zar Getz, MSS, LCSW, LICSW, Clinical Social Work/Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/1519f825-9d73-4962-9b82-2c490dd084d1/1/320x400.jpeg)
Zar Getz
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSS, LCSW, LICSW
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
San Mateo, CA 94403 (Online Only)
I cannot move mountains for you, but I can help you climb. Facing fears, healing from loss, finding meaning and joy - these are the inevitable tasks of life. Therapy may be your first step or your last resort. Often people avoid it all together because they believe their pain is too great, worry they will be judged or that their situation is too complicated. Some people believe they should solve problems on their own or only with family and friends. However, while family and friends may want the best for us, they often come with opinions or past hurts. Sometimes it helps to have a safe space outside your daily experience.
I cannot move mountains for you, but I can help you climb. Facing fears, healing from loss, finding meaning and joy - these are the inevitable tasks of life. Therapy may be your first step or your last resort. Often people avoid it all together because they believe their pain is too great, worry they will be judged or that their situation is too complicated. Some people believe they should solve problems on their own or only with family and friends. However, while family and friends may want the best for us, they often come with opinions or past hurts. Sometimes it helps to have a safe space outside your daily experience.
See more therapy options for Half Moon Bay
Nearby Chronic Pain Therapists Searches for Half Moon Bay
- Atherton
- Belmont
- Burlingame
- Foster City
- Menlo Park
- Millbrae
- Pacifica
- Redwood City
- San Bruno
- San Carlos
- San Mateo
- South San Francisco
Chronic Pain Therapists
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.