CHRONIC PAIN

Living with chronic pain can feel overwhelming.

Pain is much more than a physical ailment or illness. It is an experience – and often viewed through a negative lens which in turn causes stress, anger, anxiety and frustration. Chronic pain can cause us to withdraw and isolate in relationships. Quality of life is impacted, including impaired sleeping and changes in eating. Questions such as “why me?” and “how can I live like this?” drive individuals into a downward spiral and ultimately contribute to a further negative relationship with the pain. Though therapy cannot take away the pain, it can help you create a more positive outlook to living with pain, not be as burdened by the pain experience and foster a more empowering worldview.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness are just a few of the approaches that we use to help manage pain.  CBT identifies and challenges negative thought patterns, develop healthier coping strategies and change behaviors that are worsening the pain.  ACT helps in developing a different relationship to the pain experience, which includes a less negative outlook.  Mindfulness is used to observe the pain without judgment.

Here are just a few examples of chronic pain that we work with:

• Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Back and neck pain
• Nerve damage
• Headaches/Migraines
• Autoimmune disorders