Counselling for Chronic Pain

Living with chronic pain affects far more than just your physical body—it impacts your emotions, relationships, sleep, work, and overall quality of life. If you're struggling with the psychological challenges that come with persistent pain, you're not alone, and support is available to help you cope more effectively.

Chronic pain conditions we help with:

Fibromyalgia - Widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue and other symptoms

Chronic Back or Neck Pain - Persistent pain from injuries, disc problems, or other spinal conditions

Arthritis and Joint Pain - Ongoing pain and stiffness that affects daily activities and mobility

Neuropathic Pain - Nerve-related pain conditions that may cause burning, tingling, or shooting sensations

Migraine and Chronic Headaches - Frequent or persistent head pain that interferes with daily functioning

Post-Surgical Pain - Ongoing pain following medical procedures that hasn't resolved as expected

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome - Chronic pain condition that typically affects limbs

Autoimmune-Related Pain - Pain associated with conditions like lupus, multiple sclerosis, or inflammatory bowel disease

You might be experiencing:

• Feelings of frustration, anger, or helplessness about your pain condition
• Depression or anxiety related to living with chronic pain
• Grief over the loss of your previous lifestyle, activities, or abilities
• Isolation from friends and family who don't understand chronic pain
• Fear about your future or worsening symptoms
• Difficulty sleeping due to pain or worry about pain
• Relationship strain due to limitations or mood changes
• Identity confusion when pain becomes a central part of your life

Our approach to chronic pain counselling:

While we cannot eliminate your physical pain, we can help you develop effective strategies for managing the emotional and psychological impacts of chronic pain. Our approach may include:

Pain Psychology Education - Understanding the connection between pain, emotions, and stress

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - Learning to identify and change thought patterns that increase suffering

Emotion Focused Therapy - Processing difficult emotions related to living with chronic pain

EMDR Therapy - Addressing trauma that may be connected to your pain condition or pain-related medical experiences

Stress Management - Developing relaxation techniques and coping strategies to reduce pain flares

Grief Processing - Working through losses related to your changed abilities or lifestyle

Relationship Support - Improving communication with family and friends about your pain experience

What you can expect:

Chronic pain counselling focuses on improving your quality of life and emotional wellbeing while living with pain. Many clients find that addressing the psychological aspects of chronic pain helps them feel more in control and reduces their overall suffering, even when physical pain persists.

We understand that chronic pain is real, valid, and significantly impacts your life. Our goal is to provide you with tools and support that help you live as fully as possible despite ongoing pain challenges.

Sessions are available in-person at our Calgary office or online throughout Alberta, Nunavut, and Quebec. We can work flexibly around pain flares and energy limitations to ensure you receive consistent support.

You deserve to live well, even with chronic pain. Let us help you develop the emotional resilience and coping strategies you need to thrive.