Chronic Pain Therapists in West Los Angeles, CA
I offer a range of therapy options: Finding and Evaluating your Prospective Partner, mindfulness training, navigating life transitions, couples therapy, divorce and separation, blended families, bereavement, acculturation issues, trauma, eating disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, test preparation and performance anxiety, social skills training, stress management, parenting, adolescent therapy, guided autobiography and chronic pain.
I am an Attachment Therapist. My therapeutic approach is collaborative, interactive and individualized. I work together with clients assisting them to reach personal fulfillment, healthy and rewarding relationships, and empowerment. We accomplish this by overcoming longstanding obstacles, such as, negative thoughts, behaviors or emotions. Emotional limitations and fears are explored and conquered through insight and mindfulness, leading to clarity of understanding your path for personal growth. Insight opens the path to conquer obstacles, the way for cognitive behavioral changes, helps you achieve balance, reach your full potential and live a healthier life filled with joy and a sense of freedom.
I offer a range of therapy options: Finding and Evaluating your Prospective Partner, mindfulness training, navigating life transitions, couples therapy, divorce and separation, blended families, bereavement, acculturation issues, trauma, eating disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, test preparation and performance anxiety, social skills training, stress management, parenting, adolescent therapy, guided autobiography and chronic pain.
I am an Attachment Therapist. My therapeutic approach is collaborative, interactive and individualized. I work together with clients assisting them to reach personal fulfillment, healthy and rewarding relationships, and empowerment. We accomplish this by overcoming longstanding obstacles, such as, negative thoughts, behaviors or emotions. Emotional limitations and fears are explored and conquered through insight and mindfulness, leading to clarity of understanding your path for personal growth. Insight opens the path to conquer obstacles, the way for cognitive behavioral changes, helps you achieve balance, reach your full potential and live a healthier life filled with joy and a sense of freedom.
Dyan Haspel-Johnson
Psychologist, PSY
Verified Verified
West Los Angeles, CA 90025 (Online Only)
Waitlist for new clients
I use hypnosis to treat everything from pain and chronic illness to anxiety and self-esteem.
Are you looking for greater balance and harmony in your life? I am aware of the interaction between mind, body, and spirit and how challenges to these components can be opportunities for growth, strength, and wisdom. We are all unique individuals so my approach to each person varies to suit each particular issue and patient. By focusing on your core values, I will actively help you to reach your potential. I see therapy as a collaborative process with myself here to facilitate the building of your resources and strengths to empower you.
I use hypnosis to treat everything from pain and chronic illness to anxiety and self-esteem.
Are you looking for greater balance and harmony in your life? I am aware of the interaction between mind, body, and spirit and how challenges to these components can be opportunities for growth, strength, and wisdom. We are all unique individuals so my approach to each person varies to suit each particular issue and patient. By focusing on your core values, I will actively help you to reach your potential. I see therapy as a collaborative process with myself here to facilitate the building of your resources and strengths to empower you.
Jill Solomon-Hardie
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified Verified
11 Endorsed
West Los Angeles, CA 90025
I can help with relationship issues, sex/intimacy issues ( SEX/LOVE addiction), codependency/ recovery as well as trauma and chronic PAIN and illness.
My practice specializes in COUPLES as well as individuals who want to grow together and let go of old patterns that aren’t serving them anymore. Your therapy has to feel like a 'good fit', so I use my curiosity and experience to help us discover what feels right. People can confront the more difficult parts of themselves in a safe environment. I provide this in our sessions together, bringing warmth, respect and humor to the relationship. Aside from couples, my practice focuses on recovery, codependency, love/sex, chronic pain and illness, relationship issues, NPD abuse healing, and anxiety/depression and early attachment wounds.
I can help with relationship issues, sex/intimacy issues ( SEX/LOVE addiction), codependency/ recovery as well as trauma and chronic PAIN and illness.
My practice specializes in COUPLES as well as individuals who want to grow together and let go of old patterns that aren’t serving them anymore. Your therapy has to feel like a 'good fit', so I use my curiosity and experience to help us discover what feels right. People can confront the more difficult parts of themselves in a safe environment. I provide this in our sessions together, bringing warmth, respect and humor to the relationship. Aside from couples, my practice focuses on recovery, codependency, love/sex, chronic pain and illness, relationship issues, NPD abuse healing, and anxiety/depression and early attachment wounds.
Wendy S. Schmelzer
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
West Los Angeles, CA 90025
My practice also includes end of life psychotherapy & psychosocial support and therapy for those living with serious or chronic illness.
Late life is often a dynamic time and one of transition. For many older adults, it is fraught with illness, loss and emotional and physical challenge. But it can also be a time of enormous potential. With fewer obligations, long time personal goals can finally be realized and difficult family relationships repaired and healed. Evidence suggests that it's possible to make change at any stage of life. Together through the collaborative process of psychotherapy, we will work towards your goals using an integrated approach that includes psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, and solution focused strategies.
My practice also includes end of life psychotherapy & psychosocial support and therapy for those living with serious or chronic illness.
Late life is often a dynamic time and one of transition. For many older adults, it is fraught with illness, loss and emotional and physical challenge. But it can also be a time of enormous potential. With fewer obligations, long time personal goals can finally be realized and difficult family relationships repaired and healed. Evidence suggests that it's possible to make change at any stage of life. Together through the collaborative process of psychotherapy, we will work towards your goals using an integrated approach that includes psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, and solution focused strategies.
On my web site, there is a four-page article from the American Chronic Pain Association about my approach to improving sleep quality, reducing pain, and lowering medications.
I help clients learn how to manage chronic pain without daily pain medications and to help clients with sleep disorders (all types) learn to sleep deeply and wake rested without sleeping pills. I also help clients with complex medical diagnoses to develop wellness programs. I have been the Director of four chronic pain program. I have been providing Behavioral Sleep Medicine therapy or the UCLA Sleep Medicine Programs for 16 years. My approach to correcting sleep disorders encompasses neurocognitive self-regulation, mindfulness, breathing training, mind control to stop mind racing,sleep education and classic CBT for insomnia.
On my web site, there is a four-page article from the American Chronic Pain Association about my approach to improving sleep quality, reducing pain, and lowering medications.
I help clients learn how to manage chronic pain without daily pain medications and to help clients with sleep disorders (all types) learn to sleep deeply and wake rested without sleeping pills. I also help clients with complex medical diagnoses to develop wellness programs. I have been the Director of four chronic pain program. I have been providing Behavioral Sleep Medicine therapy or the UCLA Sleep Medicine Programs for 16 years. My approach to correcting sleep disorders encompasses neurocognitive self-regulation, mindfulness, breathing training, mind control to stop mind racing,sleep education and classic CBT for insomnia.
David E Bresler
Psychologist, PhD, LAC, DiplAc, NCCAOM, AAPM
Verified Verified
West Los Angeles, CA 90025 (Online Only)
I was Executive Director of the UCLA Pain Control Unit and a professor in the UCLA Medical, Dental Schools and Psychology Department.
My practice focuses on helping individuals, couples, and families who are suffering from emotional or physical pain or the aftereffects of trauma. We help them resolve the traumatic experience, as well as its consequences (e.g. physical pain, stress, disability, depression, anxiety, insomnia, medication dependence, isolation, etc.) Although many of our patients have not responded well to prior therapies, we've had outstanding success in helping them move from feeling a severe loss to finding a new and positive beginning. We love to work with people who are ready to change and eager to learn how to do it.
I was Executive Director of the UCLA Pain Control Unit and a professor in the UCLA Medical, Dental Schools and Psychology Department.
My practice focuses on helping individuals, couples, and families who are suffering from emotional or physical pain or the aftereffects of trauma. We help them resolve the traumatic experience, as well as its consequences (e.g. physical pain, stress, disability, depression, anxiety, insomnia, medication dependence, isolation, etc.) Although many of our patients have not responded well to prior therapies, we've had outstanding success in helping them move from feeling a severe loss to finding a new and positive beginning. We love to work with people who are ready to change and eager to learn how to do it.
I specialize in chronic illness, medical gaslighting, chronic pain, invisible illness, autoimmune, cancer, health psychology, and medical trauma. In addition, I have worked in addiction/dual diagnosis for over 15 years. Specializing in substance abuse and cross addictions.
I specialize in chronic illness, medical gaslighting, chronic pain, invisible illness, autoimmune, cancer, health psychology, and medical trauma. In addition, I have worked in addiction/dual diagnosis for over 15 years. Specializing in substance abuse and cross addictions.
Through hypnotherapy or Reiki you can find self improvement. Stress relief, weight loss, fears/phobias and letting go of grief are some of the issues I help clients with. I also work in conjunction with doctors to help with medical issues such as pain relief, dentist care, etc. Hypnosis helps you access the larger part of your mind (the subconscious) responsible for automatic behavior. Through suggestions you can achieve transformation by letting go of limiting beliefs. Some clients prefer Japanese Reiki energy sessions which help balance the body mentally, physically and emotionally.
Through hypnotherapy or Reiki you can find self improvement. Stress relief, weight loss, fears/phobias and letting go of grief are some of the issues I help clients with. I also work in conjunction with doctors to help with medical issues such as pain relief, dentist care, etc. Hypnosis helps you access the larger part of your mind (the subconscious) responsible for automatic behavior. Through suggestions you can achieve transformation by letting go of limiting beliefs. Some clients prefer Japanese Reiki energy sessions which help balance the body mentally, physically and emotionally.
Martha Jane Joachim
Psychologist
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
West Los Angeles, CA 90025 (Online Only)
I work with and train others to work effectively with diverse people, issues and modalities: relationships, parenting, seniors (Medicare), LGBT, illness, addiction, eating disorders, life challenges.
I have had many years of gratifying experience in deeply engaging with the people I work with, and training and supervising doctoral students and therapists (many on this site have been my students!). Discovering what has been causing personal distress, worry, loneliness, or disappointment is what transforms life. These underlying stresses can cause problems with relationship, career, mood, or just general feelings of dissatisfaction. The personal growth that blooms in the therapy opens doors inside and out, and creates the rich opportunities and experiences we all want in life.
I work with and train others to work effectively with diverse people, issues and modalities: relationships, parenting, seniors (Medicare), LGBT, illness, addiction, eating disorders, life challenges.
I have had many years of gratifying experience in deeply engaging with the people I work with, and training and supervising doctoral students and therapists (many on this site have been my students!). Discovering what has been causing personal distress, worry, loneliness, or disappointment is what transforms life. These underlying stresses can cause problems with relationship, career, mood, or just general feelings of dissatisfaction. The personal growth that blooms in the therapy opens doors inside and out, and creates the rich opportunities and experiences we all want in life.
Specialty areas include hypnosis for pain management, anxiety, depression, and habit control.
People who see me for the first time are often feeling overwhelmed, confused, depressed or anxious. Some people are unable to sleep, have distressing thoughts, or cannot control troublesome habits and behaviors. Others have have struggled with chronic pain due to injuries or illnesses. Many have endured the stigma of having a major mental illness which created difficulties in daily functioning, mood swings, or poor judgement and distorted thinking. And others have functioned well with significant achievements in their careers, family, and relationships but still feel empty inside, and cannot experience pleasure, meaning, or fulfillment from their lives.
Specialty areas include hypnosis for pain management, anxiety, depression, and habit control.
People who see me for the first time are often feeling overwhelmed, confused, depressed or anxious. Some people are unable to sleep, have distressing thoughts, or cannot control troublesome habits and behaviors. Others have have struggled with chronic pain due to injuries or illnesses. Many have endured the stigma of having a major mental illness which created difficulties in daily functioning, mood swings, or poor judgement and distorted thinking. And others have functioned well with significant achievements in their careers, family, and relationships but still feel empty inside, and cannot experience pleasure, meaning, or fulfillment from their lives.
I have a background in behavioral skills development, chronic and acute illness, grief support and corporate behavioral training.
As a cognitive behavioral therapist and life skill trainer for over thirty years, I have been helping clients transform their lives. I can help you navigate interpersonal relationships and help you improve your communication style. My clients explore either short-term specific issues, or delve into deeper long-standing problems to achieve personal growth and inner peace.
I have a background in behavioral skills development, chronic and acute illness, grief support and corporate behavioral training.
As a cognitive behavioral therapist and life skill trainer for over thirty years, I have been helping clients transform their lives. I can help you navigate interpersonal relationships and help you improve your communication style. My clients explore either short-term specific issues, or delve into deeper long-standing problems to achieve personal growth and inner peace.
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Maxine Herman
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
West Los Angeles, CA 90025 (Online Only)
Our world's been shaken up in ways we've never imagined. We're understandably anxious, trying to cope. Jobs, family, illness. How do we hold it together? Are you looking for someone to talk to who can walk through this labyrinth with you? I specialize in trauma, perhaps I can help. You may be having problems with your partner, kids or parents-- most significantly with yourself. If your pain is manifesting as panic attacks or addictions, if there's grief or you're in parent/child conflicts at any age, therapy may help. I work with individuals and couples to enhance communication, creativity and a core sense of self.
Our world's been shaken up in ways we've never imagined. We're understandably anxious, trying to cope. Jobs, family, illness. How do we hold it together? Are you looking for someone to talk to who can walk through this labyrinth with you? I specialize in trauma, perhaps I can help. You may be having problems with your partner, kids or parents-- most significantly with yourself. If your pain is manifesting as panic attacks or addictions, if there's grief or you're in parent/child conflicts at any age, therapy may help. I work with individuals and couples to enhance communication, creativity and a core sense of self.
Rachel Bar
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PsyD
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
West Los Angeles, CA 90025 (Online Only)
Waitlist for new clients
And yet this pain and frustration in relationships, at work and towards ourselves can heal.
Therapy is about exploring transitions and losses. A loss of a relationship, a job, a lifestyle, a home, a friendship, or the loss of a dream or expectation. We dismiss some losses, not realizing their impact on our day to day life. We may suffer from anxiety or depression without understanding why they are present. Other losses, however, can be so traumatic that we lose our ability to heal from them. Moreover, we find ourselves repeating the same mistakes, not being able to transform ourselves and change our behavior, even when we realize that our reactions are unhelpful and self-destructive. We wonder whether life will be better.
And yet this pain and frustration in relationships, at work and towards ourselves can heal.
Therapy is about exploring transitions and losses. A loss of a relationship, a job, a lifestyle, a home, a friendship, or the loss of a dream or expectation. We dismiss some losses, not realizing their impact on our day to day life. We may suffer from anxiety or depression without understanding why they are present. Other losses, however, can be so traumatic that we lose our ability to heal from them. Moreover, we find ourselves repeating the same mistakes, not being able to transform ourselves and change our behavior, even when we realize that our reactions are unhelpful and self-destructive. We wonder whether life will be better.
Darcy Lubbers
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, MFT, ATR-BC
Verified Verified
9 Endorsed
West Los Angeles, CA 90025
My work as a marriage and family therapist, clinical art therapist and somatic psychotherapist is integrative, interactive, and holistic. Drawing from over 30 years of experience in private practice, residential and outpatient treatment, I offer pathways to healing and well-being within the context of a safe and supportive environment. In my work with individuals, couples and families, treatment specialties include the healing of communication and relationship issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, family and personal illness, grief and loss.
My work as a marriage and family therapist, clinical art therapist and somatic psychotherapist is integrative, interactive, and holistic. Drawing from over 30 years of experience in private practice, residential and outpatient treatment, I offer pathways to healing and well-being within the context of a safe and supportive environment. In my work with individuals, couples and families, treatment specialties include the healing of communication and relationship issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, family and personal illness, grief and loss.
Alexandra Rudd-Barnard
Psychologist, PsyD, MA
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
West Los Angeles, CA 90025
I believe everyone can obtain mental stability and peak performance even during life transitions and crisis situations. At One Neuro our clinicians provide therapy, tailored evaluations, mindfulness, and neurofeedback, treatment for children and adults who experience low achievement, attentional challenges, learning difficulties, and developmental disorders. We also work with individuals who have complex medical conditions (e.g., tics, concussion, migraines, epilepsy, chronic pain, sleep difficulty, cancer, TBI, genetic conditions) that may be impacting their adaptive functioning.
I believe everyone can obtain mental stability and peak performance even during life transitions and crisis situations. At One Neuro our clinicians provide therapy, tailored evaluations, mindfulness, and neurofeedback, treatment for children and adults who experience low achievement, attentional challenges, learning difficulties, and developmental disorders. We also work with individuals who have complex medical conditions (e.g., tics, concussion, migraines, epilepsy, chronic pain, sleep difficulty, cancer, TBI, genetic conditions) that may be impacting their adaptive functioning.
) / Addictions/ ADHD / ADD/ Adolescents/ Adoption Issues/ Adult Children Of Alcoholics/ Adults/ Aging/ Senior issues/ Anger Management/ Anxiety Disorders Art/ Therapy Asperger / Bipolar Disorder/ Career Transition/ Childhood Abuse/ Children/ Christian Counseling/ Chronic Illness/ Chronic Pain/ Co-Dependency Issues/ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/ Couples/ Crisis Intervention/ Depression/ Domestic Violence/ Eating Disorders/ EMDR/ Family Therapy/ Farsi/ Gay / Lesbian Issues / Gender Identity /Grief / Loss Group Therapy /Homeopathic Medicine/ Hungarian/ Learning Differences/ Life Transitions Marital / Couples Therapy /Memory Loss/ Men's Issues/ Minority / Cultural Issues/Mood Disorders /OCD/Obsessive Compulsive Disorder /Panic Disorders/Parenting Issues Performance Anxiety/ Phobias/ Play Therapy /Polish /Post Traumatic Stress Disorder// PTSD Post-Partum Depression/ Premarital Counseling/ Psychiatry/ Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Relationship Difficulties/ Separation and Divorce /Spanish /Spiritual/Religious Issues/ Stress Management /Substance Abuse/ Terminal Illness/ Transitional Stress /Trauma /Veterans Women's Issues/ Workplace Stress / EAP.
We are a group practice Network offering video and in person app Our vision is to connect you to a network of some of the most talented, highly qualified and compassionate professionals in the mental health field, each with a broad range of skills and unique personal style. Our therapists and psychiatrists are uniquely equipped to work with individuals, children, adolescents, couples and families. They will help you access the keys to your emotional/psychological healing, wholeness and sense of well being. Once you are connected with a therapist, all communication with them will be handled via their individual voice-mail or email.
) / Addictions/ ADHD / ADD/ Adolescents/ Adoption Issues/ Adult Children Of Alcoholics/ Adults/ Aging/ Senior issues/ Anger Management/ Anxiety Disorders Art/ Therapy Asperger / Bipolar Disorder/ Career Transition/ Childhood Abuse/ Children/ Christian Counseling/ Chronic Illness/ Chronic Pain/ Co-Dependency Issues/ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/ Couples/ Crisis Intervention/ Depression/ Domestic Violence/ Eating Disorders/ EMDR/ Family Therapy/ Farsi/ Gay / Lesbian Issues / Gender Identity /Grief / Loss Group Therapy /Homeopathic Medicine/ Hungarian/ Learning Differences/ Life Transitions Marital / Couples Therapy /Memory Loss/ Men's Issues/ Minority / Cultural Issues/Mood Disorders /OCD/Obsessive Compulsive Disorder /Panic Disorders/Parenting Issues Performance Anxiety/ Phobias/ Play Therapy /Polish /Post Traumatic Stress Disorder// PTSD Post-Partum Depression/ Premarital Counseling/ Psychiatry/ Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Relationship Difficulties/ Separation and Divorce /Spanish /Spiritual/Religious Issues/ Stress Management /Substance Abuse/ Terminal Illness/ Transitional Stress /Trauma /Veterans Women's Issues/ Workplace Stress / EAP.
We are a group practice Network offering video and in person app Our vision is to connect you to a network of some of the most talented, highly qualified and compassionate professionals in the mental health field, each with a broad range of skills and unique personal style. Our therapists and psychiatrists are uniquely equipped to work with individuals, children, adolescents, couples and families. They will help you access the keys to your emotional/psychological healing, wholeness and sense of well being. Once you are connected with a therapist, all communication with them will be handled via their individual voice-mail or email.
He is skilled at interpreting quantitative and qualitative data, as well as the influence of medical illness and psychological symptoms.
Currently licensed in California (In-Person & Virtual) and Nevada (Virtual Only). Dr. Daniel Fenton is a Neuropsychologist and Psychotherapist who works with individuals across the lifespan. He provides neurocognitive and psychological evaluation, in addition to psychotherapy. His specialty is the interaction between medical illness and psychological symptoms/conditions such as, depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance abuse. He is passionate about working with individuals experiencing chronic and acute medical conditions, marital and relational conflict, career stress, as well as challenging life transitions.
He is skilled at interpreting quantitative and qualitative data, as well as the influence of medical illness and psychological symptoms.
Currently licensed in California (In-Person & Virtual) and Nevada (Virtual Only). Dr. Daniel Fenton is a Neuropsychologist and Psychotherapist who works with individuals across the lifespan. He provides neurocognitive and psychological evaluation, in addition to psychotherapy. His specialty is the interaction between medical illness and psychological symptoms/conditions such as, depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance abuse. He is passionate about working with individuals experiencing chronic and acute medical conditions, marital and relational conflict, career stress, as well as challenging life transitions.
Ashley Alpert
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
West Los Angeles, CA 90025
Are you looking for a psychotherapist during these tough times? I work with children and adults who struggle with behavioral issues, ADHD/learning disorders, divorce, depression, anxiety, trauma, and chronic pain. Many believe disorders are a disability, but I know this to be wrong. They only make you stronger, and do not have to keep you from living a full and healthy life. It may be time to tap into your inner strength, and I am here to help.
Are you looking for a psychotherapist during these tough times? I work with children and adults who struggle with behavioral issues, ADHD/learning disorders, divorce, depression, anxiety, trauma, and chronic pain. Many believe disorders are a disability, but I know this to be wrong. They only make you stronger, and do not have to keep you from living a full and healthy life. It may be time to tap into your inner strength, and I am here to help.
Steven Bradshaw
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, SEP, CGP, MA
Verified Verified
19 Endorsed
West Los Angeles, CA 90025
I work with high-potential, creative and sensitive beings, who may feel stuck and burned out. I've discovered personally how somatic therapy revitalizes the organism and resolves psychological and health issues at the source. In particular it can shift anxiety, chronic pain, depression, loneliness, and imposter syndrome. It works to restore the nervous system to a state of healthy regulation, energy, flow and feeling at home in your body. This provides a foundation of authentic self-esteem that becomes the basis for a meaningful career and a network of healthy relationships—a life that feels great on the inside.
I work with high-potential, creative and sensitive beings, who may feel stuck and burned out. I've discovered personally how somatic therapy revitalizes the organism and resolves psychological and health issues at the source. In particular it can shift anxiety, chronic pain, depression, loneliness, and imposter syndrome. It works to restore the nervous system to a state of healthy regulation, energy, flow and feeling at home in your body. This provides a foundation of authentic self-esteem that becomes the basis for a meaningful career and a network of healthy relationships—a life that feels great on the inside.
Together we can look at your challenges in direct and objective ways to help address that which prevents you from living fully. I enjoy working with people hoping to transform their lives and wanting to reconnect to their authentic self. I also work with techies and individuals struggling with medical illness and chronic conditions. Sessions will entail better understanding you, your tribulations, and that which no longer serves you.
Together we can look at your challenges in direct and objective ways to help address that which prevents you from living fully. I enjoy working with people hoping to transform their lives and wanting to reconnect to their authentic self. I also work with techies and individuals struggling with medical illness and chronic conditions. Sessions will entail better understanding you, your tribulations, and that which no longer serves you.
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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.