Chronic Pain Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain brings hundreds of people to therapy every week. Many physical and psychological issues can cause chronic pain and it is important to rule out any medical causes and get treatment by speaking to a physician.

Some people experience chronic pain as the result of untreated emotional overwhelm, unexpressed anger, depression or grief. Symptoms of chronic pain typically include headaches; muscle tension, pain or fatigue;  shooting nerve pains, and tension in the back, neck and shoulders.

Many people with chronic pain disorder are reluctant to explore the emotional causes of their pain for fear of being told that they are inventing the symptoms. However, true somaticizing is a very real condition in which the emotions are unable to leave the body.

Another reason why people are loathe to admit the emotional roots of their pain, is that they fear that there would be no medical cure. Chronic pain with an emotional root requires that they confront the emotions that have been hidden away, and this can be challenging.

Therapists and psychologists who do  chronic pain therapy offer a confidential and safe environment in which people can explore pent-up emotions and as a result experience short term and long term relief. Symptoms caused by long term emotional build-up may require long-term treatment and due to the physical changes, some medical intervention and active physiotherapy is often very important as well.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who works with chronic pain you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy encompasses a range of six principles that aim to help clients develop greater psychological flexibility. The six principles include:

1. Cognitive defusion help to reduce tendencies to regard thoughts, memories and emotions as real and concrete events.

2. Acceptance is about allowing the thoughts to surface and pass without the need to allow them to interfere with daily life.

3.  Being present means being aware of current existence and being involved with the now.

4. Self observation helps the client to be aware of the self and the unchanging consciousness.

5. Exploring values to discover those that are most important to the person.

6. Committed action involves setting goals based on the explored values, and setting actions in place to reach those goals.

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy is a form of cognitive behavioural therapy and is commonly used in therapy, and in it's sub-forms and helpful for a range of conditions, including OCD. If you require Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, have a look at the counsellors listed below.

Note: You may narrow your search by selecting more than one filter below.

Megan Hughes

M.A., Registered Psychology Assistant
*Now offering video and phone sessions.* *My practice is currently accepting new clients, to book please email/call: info@stillwatercounselling.com / 604-734-2779.* Megan Hughes has been counselling in... Read more

Halina Deptuck

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Periods of struggle, challenge, or feeling stuck inevitably occur throughout our lives. Whether you’ve gone through a life transition, are experiencing low mood, heightened anxieties, relationship challenges,... Read more

Ashley Shankar

M.S.W., RCSW
I’m a cis South Asian woman. My Masters in Social Work from the University of British Columbia has granted me the opportunity to work extensively in diverse community mental health settings. I work with... Read more

Marie Landry

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
In my perspective, counselling is like shedding light on your past, nurturing your resilience, and guiding you toward positive transformations. I believe in keeping it down-to-earth, tailoring my methods to fit your... Read more

Jill Arnold

M.A., RCC
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
Clients describe me as straightforward and kind while being practical, effective and patient. I am available to help you through a secure virtual platform or on the telephone. I want you to feel better. In... Read more

Deborah Kieran

M.C., R.Psych
Deborah Kieran is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of BC (#2677). She obtained her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from City University in 2008.  Deborah sees counselling as a... Read more

Rebecca Chan

M.A., RCC
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Psychology at Simon Fraser University and my Master of Arts in Counselling... Read more

Gayatri Saikia

M.Couns., RCC
    • Online booking
At A Hopeful Step, I offer a safe and non-judgmental space for you to share your story and embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing. I firmly believe that the therapeutic process... Read more

Cookie Bain

M.C., RCC
*** I currently have a waitlist for 1-2 months*** What I most love in this world is to see people thriving as they live their most authentic life. I understand that may of us us have grown up in a way hasn... Read more

Michelle Carchrae

M.C., RCC
    • Video on profile
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
People come to counselling when they want to feel better. I'm here to help you do that.  Whether you're experiencing depression and stuckness, anxiety, overwhelming emotion or difficulty in your... Read more

Colette Mrazek

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
My counselling career began over 20 years ago and since then, I have worked in a variety of settings with many different populations, such as youth at risk, children who have been orphaned, young parents,... Read more

Judy Zhu

M.Ed., RCC
Are you struggling with depression, anxiety, addiction, or feeling stressed out? Are you also experiencing health issues such as digestion problems, poor sleep, pain and fatigue? I am a registered clinical... Read more

Sanela Jakovljev

M.Couns., RCC
Are you tired of waking up to chronic pain each day, struggling to convey spoon theory to those who don't understand, or feeling dismissed by professionals who should be there to help? As a registered clinical... Read more

Sara Ahmadian

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
Are you tired of feeling trapped in a cycle of pain and exhaustion? Do you long for a sense of relief and hope in your life? I'm here to offer you a guiding hand on your journey towards healing and well-being. I... Read more

Sho sho O

M.Couns., RCC
    • Online booking
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) and Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist (CCTSI) from Hong Kong. I have specialized training in Eye Movement ... Read more

Josh Slatkoff

Ph.D., R.Psych
Dr. Josh Slatkoff is a Registered Psychologist (CPBC #1774) who sees adult clients in Victoria, BC. He works with clients to develop coping skills to face challenges and accept limitations. He believes that clients... Read more

Ned Baess

Psy.D., R.Psych
Dr. Ned Baess was awarded his doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, in 2003.  He was clinically trained at the Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH) and... Read more

Marie-Eve Martel

Psy.D., R.Psych
    • Online booking
I'm a bilingual (EN/FR) registered psychologist in British Columbia (#2785) with a strong compassionate presence and a mindfulness/acceptance-based orientation. I provide evidence-based care to help people... Read more

Joseph Tse

Ph.D., R.Psych
I am Registered Psychologist (#2491) in British Columbia. I enjoy working with adults on a variety of psychological concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress management, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).... Read more

Lephuong Ong

Ph.D., R.Psych
Insight and Therapy:  It takes great courage and insight to make the decision to engage in therapy to examine and address the concerns that have been troubling you. Though it may seem daunting, therapy... Read more