Injuries and accidents can leave deep scars and chronic pain in their wake. As you move on after the injury, you seek help from medical professionals to treat your pain.
Dealing with physical pain can take time, especially in cases of chronic pain or significant injury. Plus, the emotional impact of your physical pain is something you and your medical provider can address – and this is most effectively accomplished through pain management counseling in your recovery process.
What Is Pain Management Counseling?
In this specialized type of counseling, a mental health professional will help to alleviate your pain by changing your perception of it via cognitive and behavioral techniques. They will take the reins in helping you to navigate the various feelings you are experiencing.
Pain management counseling serves as an adaptive and noninvasive way of coping with pain by analyzing and refocusing the emotional trauma that may have developed because of your physical pain. This works because these types of pain (physical and emotional) are often intertwined, especially after a traumatic event.
How Pain Management Counseling Helps with Physical Pain
Physical pain can lead to depression, anxiety, and stress. You may develop feelings of helplessness and have catastrophic and negative thoughts, which can be detrimental to your overall well-being.
Accidents and the injuries that you sustained from them can significantly impact your feelings of independence and self-confidence. For instance, those who used to live independently before they were injured may now have to rely on the help of family or friends in order to get by in daily living.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Pain
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy that allows people to develop skills in changing negative behaviors and thoughts. Through this method, you learn to recognize your negative and inaccurate thoughts so that you can respond to pain or other distressing situations better and develop healthier coping skills.
Discussions during pain management counseling may include your fears of accidents and injuries, accepting the pain you are experiencing, and pain catastrophizing – wherein you magnify and focus on the negative effects of your physical pain. These thoughts and feelings can further decrease your quality of life and even your response to medical interventions.
With the help of mental health professionals, CBT encourages patients to have a problem-solving attitude. It helps you develop a sense of self-control and mastery over your feelings. Likewise, you can develop healthy coping mechanisms that apply not only to pain management but also to mental stressors, depression, and anxiety. Pain management counseling can also reduce your reliance on medication.
Pain Management Counseling in Delaware
If you need help addressing the emotional impacts of physical pain in your life, Delaware Back Pain & Sports Rehabilitation Centers’ on-site psychologist Dr. Irene Fisher is here for you. She can help you weave through the complex emotions you are experiencing and take back control of how you feel.
Dr. Fisher has worked with many of our patients who have significantly benefited from their counseling sessions. With her expert skills and experience, she will help you harness your emotions and thoughts better and find healthier coping skills during your recovery process.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, call our clinic near you today or request an appointment now via our online form. Together, we can help change your outlook for the better.
