Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on June 24, 2024Living with chronic pain is not just a physical experience—it’s emotional, mental, and often invisible to others. When pain doesn’t go away, it can take over your life, affecting your mood, relationships, work, and sense of identity. You may feel exhausted, misunderstood, or even hopeless. But help is available. Chronic pain therapy provides tools to manage pain more effectively and regain a sense of control over your body and your life.
Certified Clinical Social Worker (CSW), Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor (LCAC), Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), Hypnotherapist
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Lacota Mckee is a Certified Clinical Social Worker (CSW) in undefined, undefined. They treat Chronic Pain, Childhood Abuse, Anger Issues.
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Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (DCSW), Education Specialist (EdS), Hypnotherapist
Murdaugh Street, Varnville, South Carolina 29944
Doctor Professor is a Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (DCSW) in Varnville, South Carolina. They treat Chronic Pain, Body Image, Anxiety.
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Nurse Psychotherapist, Nutritionist, Pastoral Counselor, Primary Care Physician, Psychiatric Nurse, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychologist, Pre-Licensed Professional
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Terkis Loon is a Nurse Psychotherapist in undefined, undefined. They treat Chronic Pain, Infertility, Antisocial Personality.
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Counselor
1776 South Main Street, Akron, Ohio 44301
Halla William is a Counselor in Akron, Ohio. They treat Chronic Pain, Borderline Personality, End of Life.
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Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP), Community Resource, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Pastoral Counselor, Primary Care Physician
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Oleh Nov2 Nov 2 is a Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP) in Kansas, Kansas. They treat Chronic Pain, Anger Issues, College and School Placement.
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Certified Social Worker (CSW), Licensed Sex Offender Treatment Provider (LSOTP), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
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Lorem Ipsum is a Certified Social Worker (CSW) in undefined, undefined. They treat Chronic Pain, Cognitive Functioning, Insomnia.
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Chronic pain is pain that lasts longer than three to six months or beyond the typical healing time of an injury or illness. It might be constant or intermittent. It may have a clear cause—or no identifiable medical explanation at all.
Common examples of chronic pain conditions include:
Pain becomes “chronic” when it persists beyond the point where the body should have healed, often becoming a condition of its own. A pain management therapist works with you not just to relieve pain—but to change how you relate to it, reduce suffering, and improve your quality of life.
Yes—therapy can be a powerful tool in managing chronic pain, even though it doesn’t “cure” the source of the pain directly.
Therapy works by helping you:
Pain is a complex experience shaped by biology, psychology, and environment. Cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain, among other approaches, teaches evidence-based skills to reduce the impact of pain on your daily life.
Several forms of psychotherapy have been shown to be effective in chronic illness counseling and pain management. Your therapist may use one or a combination of the following:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
The most researched psychological treatment for chronic pain, CBT helps you:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Focuses on accepting pain rather than fighting it, while helping you commit to living a meaningful life despite discomfort. ACT teaches mindfulness and psychological flexibility.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Combines meditation, gentle movement, and awareness techniques to reduce stress and change your relationship with pain.
Biofeedback and Relaxation Training
Teaches you to regulate physiological responses like muscle tension, heart rate, and breathing, which can all influence pain levels.
Pain Neuroscience Education
Helps you understand how pain works in the brain and body, reducing fear and catastrophizing, which often intensify pain perception.
An experienced chronic illness therapist will tailor treatment to your condition, lifestyle, and preferences.
Chronic pain and mental health are deeply intertwined. When you live with pain day after day, it’s common to experience:
These symptoms are not weaknesses—they’re understandable responses to ongoing physical suffering. A chronic illness therapist can help you address the emotional side of pain, which often leads to real, measurable improvement in overall well-being.
Pain psychology focuses on the mental, emotional, and behavioral aspects of living with chronic pain. Unlike physical therapy, which addresses movement and function, pain psychology helps you:
Both disciplines are essential. While physical therapy helps your body function better, a chronic pain therapist helps your mind and nervous system respond more effectively—so you can feel more in control, less distressed, and more empowered.
Yes—and often does. Chronic stress, unresolved trauma, or early adverse experiences can sensitize your nervous system, making pain feel more intense and harder to manage. This doesn’t mean your pain is “psychological” or “made up.” It means that pain is multidimensional, and psychological factors can influence how it's experienced.
This is especially true for people with:
A trauma-informed chronic pain therapist will help you process these experiences safely, reduce nervous system reactivity, and teach regulation skills that can soften both emotional and physical pain.
Absolutely not. One of the most harmful misconceptions is that if therapy is recommended, your pain must not be real. Pain is always real.
What therapy does is acknowledge that pain has both physical and emotional dimensions. Your thoughts, emotions, stress levels, and past experiences all influence how your brain and nervous system process pain signals.
Therapy doesn’t suggest the pain is imagined—it provides tools to help your brain change its response to pain. Just like physical therapy strengthens muscles, pain psychology strengthens emotional and cognitive resilience, giving you more control over your experience.
In your first few sessions, your chronic pain therapist will:
Over time, therapy may include:
The pace is gentle, and the focus is always on building safety, skill, and empowerment.
In many cases, yes. While medication plays a vital role for some people, chronic pain therapy can help reduce reliance on painkillers by:
Your therapist will never ask you to stop taking medication—but they will support your goals, whether that’s medication reduction, lifestyle change, or better functioning with current treatment.
Start by being honest. You might say:
Most doctors are supportive, especially if you’re proactive and informed. You can also bring information about pain management therapists or clinics to your appointment, showing that you’re serious about comprehensive care.
Yes—support groups and group therapy can be incredibly validating and helpful for people with chronic illness. They provide:
Look for groups specifically focused on chronic pain, fibromyalgia, autoimmune illness, or related conditions. These may be in person or online. Your chronic illness counselor can help you find a group that aligns with your needs and comfort level.
Living with a chronic illness or persistent pain often involves grieving the life you thought you’d have. It’s common to experience a rollercoaster of emotions—anger, sadness, fear, guilt, even resentment of your own body.
Therapy can help you:
A compassionate chronic illness therapist walks beside you, helping you reclaim a sense of self that is strong, whole, and more than your diagnosis.
You are not imagining your pain. You are not weak. You are not alone.
Whether your journey with chronic pain is new or decades long, you deserve comprehensive support. Therapy isn’t a last resort—it’s a powerful tool for building a more sustainable, meaningful life, even in the presence of pain.
Explore care with a trained chronic pain therapist, seek chronic illness counseling, or begin cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain to start reclaiming your life today. You are more than your pain—and healing is possible.
Remember, recovery is possible. With early intervention, a supportive network, and the right professional care, you can overcome the challenges of Chronic Pain and build a fulfilling life. We are here to help you find care.
