Managing Chronic Pain A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Approach Therapist Guide

Chronic pain has a multitude of causes, many of which are not well understood or effectively treated by medical therapies. Individuals with chronic pain often report that pain interferes with their ability to engage in occupational, social, or recreational activities. Their inability toengage in these everyday activities may contribute to increased isolation, negative mood, and physical deconditioning, which in turn can contribute to their experience of pain.Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been proven effective at managing various chronic pain conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, chronic back pain, and tension/migraine headache. CBT engages patients in an active coping process aimed at changing maladaptive thoughts andbehaviors that can serve to maintain and exacerbate the experience of chronic pain. Managing Chronic Pain, Therapist Guide distills many of these empirically validated techniques into one convenient volume that no clinician can do without. Each session presents the basic methods of a technique,such as stress management, sleep hygiene, relaxation therapy, and cognitive restructuring. Designed to be used in conjunction with the corresponding workbook, this therapist guide offers a complete treatment program. It provides session outlines, sample dialogues, and homework assignments for each technique, as well as addresses assessment and relapse. This CBT program can be used forthe successful management of chronic pain, helping patients regain control of their lives.

John D. Otis is Director, Pain Management Psychology Services, VA Boston Healthcare System; Associate Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine in Chestnut Hill, MA.