Find a Chronic Pain Therapist

Understanding chronic pain and its wider impact

Chronic pain is pain that continues beyond the usual expected time for healing, and it can change how you move, sleep and think about everyday life. It is not simply a physical problem - physical sensations, emotional response and social factors interact, so you may notice shifts in mood, motivation, relationships and your ability to work or take part in activities you used to enjoy. Because it touches so many areas of life, people often describe a sense of loss, frustration and increased worry about the future. Therapy aims to help you make sense of those changes and to develop practical ways of living well alongside ongoing symptoms.

Signs you might benefit from therapy for chronic pain

You might choose to look for specialist help if pain is affecting your day-to-day functioning, if you find your mood is persistently low or anxious, or if sleep and concentration have become difficult. Therapy can be helpful when pain leads to withdrawal from activities you value, when fear of movement is limiting recovery, or when patterns of avoidance and tension are making pain worse. If you are using pain medication and want to explore complementary coping strategies, or if repeated medical investigations have left you feeling uncertain and overwhelmed, a therapist who understands chronic pain can help you set goals and work toward clearer management plans with less trial and error.

What to expect in therapy sessions focused on chronic pain

Initial assessment and setting goals

Your first session will usually include a detailed assessment of how pain affects your life, your medical history, and what you hope to change. Your therapist will ask about sleep, mood, activity levels and any treatments you are currently receiving. Together you will prioritise goals - for example improving sleep, reducing flare-ups, returning to a valued activity or changing how you respond to pain. This shared planning helps you and the therapist measure progress and make adjustments as needed.

Session structure and frequency

Sessions often last 50 to 60 minutes and are typically weekly to begin with, though frequency may reduce as you build skills and confidence. Therapy is collaborative - you will likely be given practical exercises to try between appointments, such as graded activity tasks, relaxation practices or thought-recording exercises. Your therapist will check in on these tasks and adapt them to fit your pace, energy levels and day-to-day commitments.

Monitoring progress

Therapists often use outcome measures to track changes in pain-related distress, function and mood. Regular reviews allow you to see what is helping and to change the approach if something is not working. You should expect an open dialogue about realistic outcomes - the focus is on improving quality of life and coping rather than promising elimination of all pain.

Common therapeutic approaches for chronic pain

Cognitive behavioural therapy is widely used to help you identify and change thinking and behaviour patterns that may increase suffering. Acceptance and commitment therapy helps you clarify values and take committed steps toward a life that matters to you even while symptoms persist. Mindfulness-based approaches teach ways to relate differently to physical sensations and to reduce the reactivity that can amplify pain. Pain management programmes combine education, paced activity and psychological strategies to build a balanced daily routine. Some counsellors work with trauma-informed methods when past experiences contribute to heightened bodily alarm. Many therapists also collaborate with physiotherapists, occupational therapists or pain clinics to offer a joined-up approach.

When reviewing therapist profiles look for registration and relevant experience. In the UK you can expect therapists to be registered with professional bodies such as BACP, HCPC or NCPS, which indicates recognised training and ethical standards. A therapist who specialises in chronic pain will often mention experience working with long-term conditions, multidisciplinary teams or pain rehabilitation programmes.

How online therapy works for chronic pain

Online therapy offers flexibility if travel is difficult or if you live some distance from specialist services. Sessions typically use video calls, telephone or messaging platforms, and many therapists are experienced at adapting exercises to the online format. You can work on pacing, graded activity, sleep hygiene and cognitive techniques from home and use screen-sharing for worksheets and resources. Online work also makes it easier to involve family members or carers in sessions when appropriate. If you are combining online therapy with in-person treatments such as physiotherapy, therapists will often coordinate with your other professionals to ensure that goals match across services.

Before starting online sessions you should agree practical arrangements with your therapist: how to contact them between sessions, what to do in an emergency, and how your personal information will be handled. Ask about appointment lengths, fees and cancellation policies in advance. You will benefit most when you have a quiet, comfortable environment for sessions, good internet connectivity for video calls and a plan for trying any homework tasks safely.

Tips for choosing the right therapist for chronic pain

Begin by considering what matters most to you - whether that is improving mobility, reducing anxiety about pain, returning to work, or better sleep. Read therapist profiles to check relevant experience and registration with recognised UK professional bodies. Look for mention of approaches you are interested in, such as CBT, ACT or mindfulness, and for experience working alongside medical teams. It is reasonable to ask therapists about their experience with long-term pain, how they measure progress, and how they adapt work for fluctuating symptoms. You might enquire about how they handle flare-ups, whether they can liaise with your GP or physiotherapist, and what a typical course of sessions looks like.

Accessibility is important. Check availability of appointment times that suit your routine, whether they offer shorter or longer sessions, and if they can work with any mobility or sensory needs you have. Ask about fees and whether they offer a brief initial conversation or assessment so you can get a sense of fit before committing to a full course. Trust your instincts about how comfortable you feel with a therapist - a good therapeutic relationship is a key part of effective work. If a particular approach does not feel right after a few sessions, a skilled therapist should be willing to discuss alternatives or signpost you to other services.

Making the most of therapy

Preparation helps. Before sessions you might note day-to-day patterns of activity and rest, sleep routines, pain triggers and what seems to help or worsen symptoms. Setting small, achievable goals reduces the risk of overdoing activity and causing setbacks. Be open about your medical treatments and any medications you are taking so your therapist can tailor strategies appropriately. Remember that change usually happens over time and that setbacks are part of the process rather than a sign of failure.

If you are looking for a therapist who understands chronic pain, use the listings below to compare qualifications, therapeutic styles and availability. Contact a few practitioners to ask questions and arrange an initial appointment - finding the right match can make a meaningful difference to how you manage pain and reclaim valued aspects of your life.