Chronic Pain Counseling

When I treat you for chronic pain, you will understand that you will be working with someone who truly understands the challenges of coping with both physical and emotional suffering. We can work together to focus on developing a supportive alliance dedicated to compassion and giving you the skills to better manage your life.

To meet that goal, you will learn some very specific skill building strategies that are evidence-based and known to help people put pain in its place. Depression and anxiety are common comorbidities of living with chronic pain. Together, we will monitor feelings of hopelessness or anger that so often go along with the experience of chronic body pain. We will address your emotional life while helping you to develop better strategies for pain management and new methods of thinking about your body, your emotions and your life.

Our work together will be collaborative and supportive – results-oriented and practical. You will try specific strategies and address learning to relax in your body, strategically manage physical activity levels and how to change your way of thinking about your body and its pain.

What May be Causing your Chronic Pain

Damage to joints, bones, muscles and other soft tissue known as somatic nociceptive pain may feel like pressure, throbbing or aching pain. Some examples include tension headaches, arthritis and fibromyalgia

Pain signals often caused by damage or irritation to internal organs and known as nociceptive/visceral pain may be described as a dull ache and is often difficult to localize. Examples of visceral pain include endometriosis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Interstitial Cystitis.

Neuropathic Pain is caused by nerves sending out pain signals often caused by nerve irritation or nerve damage and may be experienced as stabbing, burning, and tingling. Examples of neuropathic pain include Post Herpetic Neuralgia, CRPS, peripheral neuropathy (often called diabetic neuropathy) and sciatica.

Migraines are usually associated with light, sound and smell sensitivity, There may be nausea or vomiting and pain is often located on one side of the head but is often felt bilaterally.

Issues associated with chronic pain:

  • Stress in finding a diagnosis
  • General frustration with the medical profession
  • Anxiety
  • Sleep problems
  • Alienation from friends and family
  • Problems at school and work
  • Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness
  • Depression and suicidality

How you can achieve your goals through Psychotherapy:

  • Establish a trusting therapeutic relationship
  • Use a multidisciplinary approach to treatment
  • Utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach to treatment
  • Work on short and long-term issues
  • Learn Mindfulness Meditation, Breathing and Relaxation Techniques
  • Establish good routines to promote sleep, healthy diet and exercise
  • Psychologist collaboration with medical doctors on medication management
  • Establish healthy and supportive relationships