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 Neary, BACP
Ref 109659
Experienced person-centred counsellor with practical support
Works with: Addictions, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingSiyue Zhang, AASW
Ref 243585
Calm, practical therapy focused on real-life change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Mandarin
View listingAnastasia Seale, BACP
Ref 173105
Compassionate integrative counsellor for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Russian
View listingJennifer Hughes, NCPS
Ref 187476
Warm, practical therapy for stress and trauma
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingMalak Alsaidi, LCSW
Ref 203999
Supportive New York LCSW focused on healing
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingJanet Hardin, LCSW
Ref 55726
Practical, compassionate support for life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Bipolar Languages: English
View listingJulia Allen, BACP
Ref 193195
Practical support for stress and low mood
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingBianca Righetti, BACP
Ref 220095
Practical support for stress, anxiety and life change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingBrittany Elledge, LPCC, LMHC
Ref 11729
Practical, client-centered support for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingBrandi Kelly, LA Psychologist
Ref 201932
Experienced Louisiana psychologist focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Parenting, Depression Languages: English
View listingCarol Broad, NCPS
Ref 128573
Calm, practical counselling for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English
View listingShannon Mott, LCSW
Ref 108724
Compassionate, practical therapy for life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingMelissa Rollins, LPC
Ref 340542
Practical support for stress and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingAnnie Taylor, NCPS
Ref 153305
Experienced client-centred counsellor
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English
View listingLisa McCormack, BACP
Ref 256148
Practical, compassionate therapy for anxiety and life change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingEthel-Caroline Miman, AASW
Ref 259803
Gentle, practical therapy for life’s big challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingKavitha Devarajan, AASW
Ref 345247
Supporting stress, anxiety and life goals
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English, Hindi, Kannada
View listingKeith Chilton, LMFT
Ref 106189
Experienced marriage and family therapist
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingJill Malcolm, BACP
Ref 231136
Gentle practical support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingJennifer Mcpherson (Norman), BACP
Ref 161239
Experienced relationship and trauma counsellor
Works with: Relationship, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingLucy Warner, BACP
Ref 200588
Support for grief and long-term illness
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Anger Languages: English
View listingLouis Blea, LPC
Ref 277410
Practical, strengths-focused counseling for common struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDale Thompson, LCSW, CSW
Ref 341301
Practical, experienced help for stress and trauma
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDarla McAdams, LPC
Ref 58935
Practical, person-focused counseling in Missouri
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, LGBT Languages: English
View listingFaith Beaulieu, LCMHC
Ref 23986
Somatic-minded counselor for focused change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship 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 listingSally Smith, LPC
Ref 338970
Practical therapy for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingKerrie McCabe, BACP
Ref 128546
Compassionate counsellor blending listening with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingStella Sacarello, BACP
Ref 261216
Person-centred counsellor for life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Grief Languages: English
View listingJosephine Sultana, AASW
Ref 309775
Compassionate social worker blending therapy and lifestyle care
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Sleeping Languages: English
View listingLoire Bennett, LMHC
Ref 25344
Experienced Florida LMHC focused on practical growth
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Grief Languages: English
View listingTeneka Gerido, LPC
Ref 203172
Practical support for stress and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingSidonia Stiles, BACP
Ref 101572
Experienced counsellor for relationships and grief
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English, Portuguese
View listingConnie Seth, LISW
Ref 206834
Seasoned Iowa LISW focused on practical coping
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingKalpna Kerai, BACP
Ref 165701
Calm, practical counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingMaria "Patti" Lorenzo, LCPC
Ref 26902
A practical, compassionate approach to emotional change
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Self esteem, Coping with life changes Languages: English
View listingEdward Mcguinness, BACP
Ref 263954
Practical, respectful support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJoyce Voltaire Huertas, LCSW
Ref 94229
Practical, relationship-focused therapy for life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDebby Sawyer, LIMHP
Ref 236392
Experienced, practical help for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDaniel Windemer, NCPS
Ref 173238
Calm, practical counselling to help you move forward
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingRobert Marshall, BACP
Ref 116379
Person-centred counsellor with practical focus
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingCatherine Kearns, BACP
Ref 183397
Practical, person-focused therapy for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingSoraya Hind, BACP
Ref 115815
Support for trauma, identity and ongoing stress
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Depression Languages: English
View listingBeth VanKeuren Maldonado, LCSW
Ref 101474
Experienced Connecticut LCSW offering practical support
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJoanne Shipp, BACP
Ref 291844
Practical, person-focused counselling for everyday life
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingJoanne Fabrick, LPC
Ref 148298
Experienced Texas counselor focused on practical growth
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Anger, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDonald Henderson, LMHC
Ref 68596
Practical support for trauma and life change
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Grief, Anger Languages: English
View listingSophia Mas, LMHC
Ref 91155
Compassionate counselor with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Spanish
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.