About chronic pain
On this page you will find therapists who list chronic pain among their specialty areas, along with their approaches, languages, and clinical focus. Use the listings below to review practitioner profiles and learn how different therapists describe their work with chronic pain.
Browse the directory to compare approaches and find professionals whose experience and communication style align with what you want from care.
What to compare in entries
| Credentials | A US state licence, or membership of a professional body such as BACP or NCPS. They are different kinds of thing; each profile shows what was supplied. |
|---|---|
| Focus | Whether chronic pain is listed as a main focus or among the wider list of areas. Entries show both. |
| Way of working | The approaches named on the entry. Two people working with the same concern can describe very different sessions. |
| Time in practice | Years in practice, as supplied. A fact to weigh, not a ranking. |
| Language | The languages sessions can be held in, where that matters to you. |
Common questions
How were these entries chosen?
Everyone listed on this page has chronic pain among the areas they told the platform they work with. They are not ranked, rated or endorsed by this directory, and the order is not a recommendation.
Do I need a referral to start?
No. You can contact a therapist through their entry directly. A GP referral is not required for independent online therapy.
What if the first therapist is not right?
Changing therapist is normal and expected, and can be done at any point. One session is a small sample of how someone works.
Entries for chronic pain
Angela Teasdale, NCPS
Ref 119622
Supportive counsellor focusing on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingHillary Gonzalez, LCSW
Ref 214393
Person-centered social worker focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression Languages: English
View listingJoanne Maddison, BACP
Ref 276861
Compassionate counsellor blending insight and practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Parenting Languages: English
View listingJames French, BACP
Ref 203032
Practical support for anxiety and life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingClement West, BACP
Ref 167549
Gentle, practical support for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingNicola Claydon, NCPS
Ref 183763
Calm, practical support for complex life issues
Works with: Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Intimacy-related issues Languages: English
View listingCaroline Woodford, BACP
Ref 203033
Person-centred counselling with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Eating Languages: English
View listingVictoria Postles, BACP
Ref 164179
Practical, person-led counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingAllysia Steward, LCSW
Ref 331970
Compassionate skills-based therapy for daily life
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingSara Lowe, LPC
Ref 104527
Practical, compassionate therapy for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression Languages: English
View listingTamara Folaron, LCSW
Ref 349708
Compassionate mind-body therapy for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Anger, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingJudith Ramsay, BACP
Ref 135275
Counselling that focuses on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingFaryal Choudry, LCSW
Ref 266995
Compassionate guidance for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingSherry Ramsey Hansen, LPC
Ref 352558
Collaborative counselor focused on practical progress
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingMichele Ellis, LCSW
Ref 355791
Compassionate support for overwhelming life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English
View listingCecile Terrelonge, BACP
Ref 134582
Person-centred counsellor offering practical support
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Family Languages: English
View listingMichael Witham, LPC
Ref 56161
Practical, person-focused counseling for daily struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English
View listingFaith Beaulieu, LCMHC
Ref 23986
Somatic-minded counselor for focused change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship Languages: English
View listingDianna Wheeler, LPC
Ref 354614
Practical support for healing and stronger coping skills
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingClaudia Santiago, LCSW
Ref 149793
Practical, collaborative therapy for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English, Spanish
View listingRogenna Robinson, LPC
Ref 105891
Calm, practical support for life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDr. Robert Nolan, LMHC
Ref 15781
Steady, practical counseling for real-life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Bipolar Languages: English
View listingJoanna Bienkowska, BACP
Ref 169468
Calm, practical support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English, Polish
View listingFaye Noyland, BACP
Ref 176481
Calm, practical counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDonna Watts, BACP
Ref 219020
Compassionate, practical support for real-life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingVictoria Harper, BACP
Ref 257028
Gentle person-centred counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingKelley Sullivan, LCSW
Ref 526
Compassionate, practical therapy for real life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, Spanish
View listingDr. Robert Hunt, LPC
Ref 187307
Experienced therapist for life changes and emotion work
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingPatrick Gribel, LMHC
Ref 348422
Therapist focused on depth and steady change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Self esteem Languages: English, Portuguese
View listingRines Shanthakumar, BACP
Ref 251123
Practical, relational counselling for life’s challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English, Tamil
View listingKim Smith, BACP
Ref 203026
Warm integrative BACP counsellor
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Grief Languages: English
View listingJamie Finkelstein, LPC
Ref 16744
Compassionate counselor for practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingRani Sagar, BACP
Ref 180509
Gentle humanistic counselling for life changes
Works with: Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingChase Carter, LCSW
Ref 330670
Skilled LCSW focused on relationships and recovery
Works with: Addictions, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingNina Pavitt , BACP
Ref 123931
Supportive person-centred counsellor
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingFarah Southwell, LPC
Ref 203059
Practical, experienced therapist for life’s hard moments
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Haitian Creole
View listingPeter Bramhill, BACP
Ref 236747
Practical, compassionate counselling for life’s challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingElaine Bell, BACP
Ref 183764
Calm, relational counselling for life changes
Works with: LGBT, Grief, Anger Languages: English
View listingRosalind Oliver, BACP
Ref 232595
Gentle practical therapy for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, German
View listingJatindar Bhogal, BACP
Ref 116956
Calm, experienced support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Punjabi
View listingAngela Condit, LCSW, CSW
Ref 33489
Supportive clinical social worker focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Depression Languages: English
View listingAyelet Wellard, NCPS
Ref 236001
Person-centred therapy with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Hebrew
View listingBrittany Meredith, LCPC
Ref 310847
Practical support for stress and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingFiona Wallace, BACP
Ref 238204
Compassionate practical therapy for personal change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Intimacy-related issues Languages: English
View listingAbbe Goodman, LMFT
Ref 226386
Experienced therapist offering steady support
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Eating Languages: English
View listingBetty Lustig, LMHC
Ref 16843
Calm guidance for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English
View listingKeith Brown, LCSW-R
Ref 74478
Collaborative, practical therapy for real life
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Depression Languages: English
View listingMichele San Martin, LPC
Ref 84464
Therapist who offers steady practical support
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingMore about chronic pain
Understanding chronic pain and how it affects daily life
What chronic pain is and why it matters
Chronic pain is pain that persists beyond the usual course of an injury or illness, or that continues for months to years without clear resolution. It can involve ongoing sensations in the body, recurring flare-ups, or widespread discomfort. For many people, chronic pain is not only a physical experience but also a force that shapes mood, sleep, work, relationships, and how you move through the world. When pain is ongoing, it can change the way you think about yourself and your future, and it can influence daily routines and activities in ways that feel isolating or discouraging.
Because chronic pain interacts with emotions, behavior, and lifestyle, treatment often benefits from a comprehensive approach that addresses more than just symptom reduction. Therapy can offer tools to manage pain-related distress, adapt daily routines, and strengthen coping skills so you can participate more fully in the activities that matter to you.
Signs that therapy may help with chronic pain
When to consider professional support
If your pain affects your ability to sleep, concentrate, work, or maintain relationships, therapy can be a place to explore practical strategies and emotional responses. You might notice that pain increases feelings of anxiety or depression, that you avoid activities you used to enjoy because of fear of worsening pain, or that stress and sleep problems make pain feel worse. Therapy can help you learn ways to reduce pain-related distress, regain function, and reframe unhelpful patterns of thought and behavior.
You may find therapy helpful if you have cycles of catastrophizing - expecting the worst about pain - or if worry leads you to restrict movement and activity. Therapy can support you in setting realistic goals, pacing activity to reduce flare-ups, and addressing mood symptoms that often accompany chronic pain. People also seek therapy to process the emotional impact of long-term conditions, to cope with changes in identity and roles, and to cultivate a sense of control and agency in daily life.
What to expect in therapy sessions focused on chronic pain
How sessions typically unfold
When you begin therapy for chronic pain, the first sessions are usually devoted to understanding your history, current symptoms, goals, and what has or has not helped in the past. A therapist will ask about the patterns of your pain, how it affects daily functioning, and your priorities for change. Together you will explore realistic, measurable goals - for example, improving sleep, returning to a modified form of exercise, or reducing anxiety related to pain.
Sessions commonly mix education, skill-building, and practical problem solving. You can expect to learn techniques for managing stress, pacing activities to prevent flare-ups, and strategies to change unhelpful thought patterns that amplify pain. Homework between sessions is often part of the process - tracking activity and symptoms, practicing relaxation or breathing exercises, trying graded movement tasks, or testing out new coping strategies in real life. Over time, you and your therapist will review what works and adjust the plan to match your needs and progress.
Common therapeutic approaches used in chronic pain care
How different methods support pain management
Several therapeutic approaches are commonly used to address the emotional, behavioral, and cognitive aspects of chronic pain. Cognitive-behavioral approaches focus on identifying patterns of thinking and behavior that can increase distress, and on replacing them with more adaptive strategies that support activity and resilience. Acceptance-oriented approaches emphasize developing a different relationship to pain - noticing sensations without getting caught up in struggle - while clarifying personal values and goals that guide meaningful action despite discomfort.
Mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques teach present-moment awareness and relaxation skills that can lower arousal and help you respond to pain with less reactivity. Pain neuroscience education involves learning about how the nervous system processes pain and how factors like stress, sleep, and movement influence pain perception. Some therapists describe using movement-based or body-oriented work to help you reconnect with safe movement patterns and reduce guarding. You may also find therapists who list EMDR among their approaches for processing traumatic memories that relate to pain, or who list motivational interviewing to help you set and pursue behavior change goals. When reviewing profiles, note which approaches a therapist lists and how they describe applying those approaches to chronic pain care.
How online therapy works for chronic pain
Practicalities and what to expect remotely
Online therapy can provide flexible access to professionals who work with chronic pain, allowing you to meet from home, a workplace break room, or another familiar setting. Sessions generally take place via video or phone and follow the same general structure as in-person work - assessment, skill-building, problem solving, and review. Many people find online sessions reduce the burden of travel, minimize disruption to routines, and make it easier to maintain regular appointments during flare-ups or mobility challenges.
In online therapy you will still engage in goal setting, practice strategies between sessions, and collaborate with your therapist to adapt interventions to your daily life. Some therapists include guided relaxation or movement exercises during video sessions, while others coordinate care with your medical team when appropriate. If you use wearable devices or apps to track sleep, activity, or pain levels, your therapist may discuss how to incorporate that data into treatment planning. When considering online care, think about the environment where you will join sessions and how to create a comfortable, low-distraction setup that supports focus and practice.
Tips for choosing a therapist for chronic pain
What to look for in profiles and initial conversations
When searching for a therapist, start by focusing on the aspects of care that matter most to you. Look for clinicians who list chronic pain as a specialty or who describe experience working with pain-related challenges. Pay attention to the therapeutic approaches they mention and whether those approaches align with your preferences - for example, whether you prefer an approach focused on skills and behavior change, an acceptance-oriented style, or body-aware interventions. Also review languages offered and any statements about work with specific populations or life stages that match your situation.
Consider practical fit as well. Think about the session format that will work best for you, whether you want a therapist who integrates education about pain neuroscience, and how you prefer to collaborate on goals. Initial consultations can help you get a sense of communication style, empathy, and whether the therapist frames chronic pain in a way that resonates with your experience. It is reasonable to ask how they typically structure sessions for chronic pain, what kinds of homework they recommend, and how they measure progress. Choosing a therapist is a personal decision - prioritizing clear communication, cultural fit, and a plan that feels realistic for your life will help you find a therapeutic relationship that supports meaningful change.
If you are also working with medical providers, you may want to look for a therapist who is comfortable coordinating care when needed and who values a collaborative approach. Remember that progress often comes through steady practice and adjustments over time. Finding a therapist whose approach and focus mirror your goals can make it easier to stay engaged with the work, try techniques systematically, and reclaim activities and roles that pain may have limited.