Anxiety and/or Panic, Chronic Pain Body Centred Psychotherapy

Anxiety and/or Panic, 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.

Body Centred Psychotherapy, EMDR

Body centered psychotherapy is sometimes referred to as somatic psychotherapy. It combines a range of approaches that promote psychological health while considering the body's role in healing and life experience. People often repress the impulses, emotions and feelings that form part of our experiences, and body centered psychotherapy opens up their understanding and experience of these aspects.

This form of therapy offers a level of healing that is not often experienced in conventional talk therapy. The conscious controls verbal expression and maintenance of muscular tension. Those functions anchor and reinforce a person's characterological responses to their environment. Body centered psychotherapy helps patients to become aware of their physiological sensations, impulses and emotions to gain greater control over their thoughts and behaviours.

A body centered psychotherapy therapist will guide the client to increase body awareness to become conscious of their movements, breathing, and the way in which they speak.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers body centered psychotherapy therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

EMDR, also known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy uses a range of processes to address the full clinical situation. Dual stimulation is one of the key elements and the therapist will use tools such as bilateral eye movements, taps or tones.

Reprocessing involves the client momentarily attending to triggers, past memories or anticipated future events, all the while focusing on the supplied external stimulus. Normally, the client will experience memory changes, new associations and insights. EMDR has been found to be incredibly useful for processing past and present trauma that can continue to impact an individual in many ways.

There are eight phases to EMDR treatment and the therapist will devise a treatment plan during the first phase, and equip the client with the necessary coping skills in the second phase. Phases 3-6 cover the actual EMDR treatment, described above. Phase 7 is about closure, while phase eight is all about re-evaluation of the process.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers EMDR Therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

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

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

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

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

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

Joanna Nicholson

M.A., RCC
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
Since 2017, I have been working in an oncology setting within the health care system. I understand that navigating illness can be incredibly lonely. Feelings of grief and depression are common reactions to health-... 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

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

Darcee Cooper

M.S.W., RSW
I am both a Registered Social Worker (RSW) and a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and have been practicing as a social worker since 2002.  I have extensive experience working with: trauma, chronic medical... Read more

Morgan MacCarl

M.Couns., RCC
*My practice is currently full and I am unable to take on new clients* I work with adults and couples who are struggling with grief, trauma, relationship challenges, ADHD symptoms, life transitions, and those who are... Read more

Marco Ma

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
I am a compassionate and dedicated Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC # 17221) affiliated with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. With the expertise in individual and couple therapy, I tailor my... Read more

Dorota Hedzelek

Ph.D., RCC
    • Online booking
*Offering In Person and online video Zoom sessions* *My practice is currently accepting new clients, to book please visit online booking on website or email dorota@paincounselling.com RECOVERY FROM PAIN IS... Read more

Patrick Myers

Ph.D., R.Psych
    • Online booking
Is life pushing you too hard?   Do you feel like you can't keep up?   Do you stay up late at night worrying?   Do you feel drained emotionally and/or  physically? Is your... Read more

Joelle Lazar

M.A., RCC
I love my work, and am passionate about helping people have more joy and fulfillment in their lives and relationships! I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with extensive training and experience providing... Read more

Laurel Aasen

M.C., RCC
It’s an honour and privilege to get to work alongside people as they make changes to create hopeful and fulfilling futures. I believe that change happens when we have the freedom to explore and expand who we are... Read more

Rebecca Rauscher

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
I have over 15 years experience as a helping professional, first as an Occupational Therapist and then as a Registered Clinical Counsellor. Working with people is my passion! I love joining my clients on their... Read more
    • Online booking
My priorities as a therapist: Share my knowledge and insights gathered over my 30 years as a therapist, as well as recent training in Somatic Psychotherapy,  to enhance my client's experience in therapy... Read more

Maya Misic

Ph.D., RCC
    • Online booking
Since 2002, I’ve helped my clients break through the obstacles that seem to be holding them back in life. Life's too short to be unhappy, unsure, or unfulfilled. I am here to help my clients achieve a more... 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

Ginnie Cramer

MC, RCC
**My practice is currently full. If you would like to be placed on my waiting list please e-mail me indicating this** ***Due to the Covid-19 circumstances I will be doing telephone and video... Read more

Leona Westra

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Do you find your life limited by trauma and chronic pain and want to get more out of your life? Are you tired of the pain and suffering and are looking for a way to gain some control over your life? If the following... Read more