Pain Is A Common Problem

According to the Institute of Medicine, an estimated 100 million U.S. adults suffer from chronic pain. The American Psychological Association (APA) describes pain as “simultaneously a sensation and an emotion, and is by far the leading reason people seek health care.”

Pain in and of itself is natural. In fact, it’s important and necessary for our survival. Without it, we wouldn’t know when to remove our hand from a hot stove, or when something was wrong in our bodies. It’s a signal that we are in danger; that our body is hurt and needs care. However, there are many types of main. Acute pain refers to pain that is the result of a direct and discernable source. When the source of the pain is gone, the pain fades away as we heal. Yet there are types of pain that linger even when the stressor itself may not be present, or at least not in an immediate way. When pain lingers in the months after a physical injury is gone, it becomes what we refer to as chronic pain.

When Pain Becomes Chronic

As anyone who has experienced chronic pain knows, it is more than simply the experience of physical pain. It typically also comes to involve the development of emotional problems, such as depression or anxiety. Pain is debilitating. It’s physically painful, which is draining and can result in fear of the next painful experience. It can also curtail the activities you once were able to participate in, shrinking your social circle, making you feel depressed and irritable, decreasing social support, and putting a strain on relationships.

Moreover, the experience of pain is unique for every individual. It’s also an invisible experience. It’s something that must be described by the person experiencing it. Unfortunately, this often results in many people feeling invalidated by others (either intentionally or not) when they feel their experience may not be believed or understood.

Your Pain is Real

The bottom line is this: If you feel pain, whether emotional or physical, it’s pain. Your pain is REAL and we believe you when you tell us that you feel it. There is no need to justify it. Your experience is valid because it is yours.

You may have spent years avoiding getting help for fear of not being believed or fear that nothing could be done to help your condition. The good news is that there is always something you can do to change; to move closer to where you want to be.

Therapy for Chronic Pain

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has emerged as the front line treatment for this debilitating condition. CBT can help you examine thoughts about your chronic pain that may be exacerbating the condition.  We understand the frustration and hurt that comes with coping with chronic problems.  However, many times our problems become two-fold when we begin to think negatively about this condition and our ability to handle it. 

CBT for Chronic Pain helps you identify thoughts behind this "second layer" of stress, equips you with skills necessary to change your relationship to your pain, relax your mind and body, and learn to cope in effective ways.

We also offer mindfulness and acceptance-based forms of therapy, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) that can help you change the way you relate to your thoughts and feelings, allowing you the freedom to move towards your values in spite of the pain.

As an additional option, our psychologists can work closely with your treatment team, if desired, to provide an integrated approach to your care.

Get Started

It’s possible to increase your sense of meaning and purpose, cope more effectively with your chronic pain, and improve your overall outlook and mood. Contact us today to learn more about the ways we can assist you in taking back your life from chronic pain.