Pain Psychologists Appointments

Why does my doctor want me to have a Pain Psychologist appointment?

You want help with your pain control and we know that the most effective way of lowering pain levels and increasing your wellbeing is by engaging in active therapies. Pain is a complex experience which encompasses the mind and the body; pain management active therapies involve physical skills and mental skills. A pain psychologist has special training in all the mental pain management skills, so you can implement them in your life.

You will learn how your thoughts, emotions, and behavior choices may impact your pains and what to do about it. You will learn important skills from the pain psychologist to lessen your pains, and these treatments do not have the side effects that medications have. Examples of these active therapies are mindfulness, thought management, emotion management, stress management, relationship management, flare management, visualization, relaxation, pacing, and goal setting. We only teach pain treatments that other members have found very helpful in controlling or eliminating their pain.

Does this mean my doctor thinks the pain is all in my head?

No. Your pain is very real. Someone looking at you can’t see the pain you are in, that is true. But, your pain is real, and you need as many real and effective tools as you can gather to get your pains under better control. The Pain Psychologist is part of your team, and your team is here to support you in every aspect. Pain psychologists assist our members in lowering pain levels and increasing wellbeing using active therapies. You’ll learn skills that you can use in your day to day life to control the pains.