Therapy for Chronic Pain
Chronic pain doesn’t just hurt physically.
If you’ve been struggling with chronic pain for months, years, or even decades, you know that it’s more than simply a physical problem. Pain impacts our entire lives. It makes it difficult to show up in relationships, at work, and during our free time. That’s why at Stella Nova, we offer therapy for chronic pain that takes your whole self into account.
By the time clients show up in our office, they’re usually exhausted. Not just from the pain itself, but from the weight of everything that comes along with it: Endless doctors appointments where they’ve felt misunderstood or dismissed. Important occasions missed with family and friends, and the hurt and disappointment that results. Lost career opportunities and work relationships frayed. The constant need to advocate for oneself in systems that are ill-equipped or hostile towards people with a pain-related disability.
Mental healthcare is an essential part of your holistic chronic pain treatment plan.
People with chronic pain are often told their pain isn’t real, or that they need to “power through”. What many people don’t realize is that stress, whether physical or emotional, literally changes our physiology. Your pain is very real. The fact that pain changes the body’s physiology is actually good news, because that means we can also change it by learning to rewire the nervous system and retrain the brain.
Given the pervasive impact that chronic pain has on our lives, it’s no surprise that it impacts our mental health as well. Chronic pain sufferers are up to four times more likely than people who are pain free to experience anxiety and depression. They’re also more likely to struggle with substance use problems, insomnia, and a generally reduced overall quality of life. That means that therapy can be a crucial and effective piece of your chronic pain treatment plan.
Meet Sage, Chronic Pain Therapist
As a member of your healthcare team, I believe that an effective approach has to address the mental, physical, and social impact that pain has on us.
I view my work with chronic pain and illness through a disability justice lens. Therapy should be a safe place to address not only your symptoms, but to unpack how living with a chronic condition can impact our identity. Many of my clients are seeking support not only around their internal experience, but with experiences of ableism, bias, or discrimination at work or in their community.
Whether you’re facing a new diagnosis and not sure what to do next, or you’ve been struggling with pain for decades, I invite you to connect and see how I can help!
Therapy for Chronic Pain Management at Stella Nova
At Stella Nova, we use evidence based approaches to treating chronic pain and its impact on our health and well-being. Working with a chronic pain therapist can help you reach goals, such as:
- Learning skills to navigate pain episodes more effectively
- Reducing anxiety and manage stress
- Developing a better relationship with your body
- Improving sleep and reduce insomnia
- Rebuilding relationships that have been impacted by pain
- Functioning better in your personal and professional lives
- Reconnecting with the things that make your life feel meaningful and worthwhile, whether pain is an ongoing part of your life, or just part of this chapter.
With Online Therapy, It’s Easy To Find A Chronic Pain Therapist Near You
At Stella Nova, you can access support online from the comfort and convenience of your home, meaning your chronic pain therapist is just a click away. Online therapy is convenient for many clients, but it can be particularly helpful for chronic pain patients whose symptoms can make planning or traveling to an in-person appointment difficult.
If you’re struggling with chronic pain and ready to make a change, we invite you to learn more by scheduling a consultation today. During your free, 20-minute call, our intake coordinator Amber will ask some questions about what you’re looking for and the goals you’re working on. She’s also available to answer any questions you might have about therapy at Stella Nova. We’ll match you with a therapist who is a great fit for your goals and needs.
Stella Nova is currently offering services online throughout California via secure video. Local clients may for in-person sessions at our Lower Pacific Heights, San Francisco location. (And keep an eye out for our new Los Angeles location coming in early 2023!)
Are you curious about connecting with a Stella Nova chronic pain therapist?
Contact us for a free 20-minute phone consultation to see how we can help you!
Other Services and Specialties
At Stella Nova, we don’t just offer online therapy for chronic pain. Our therapists have a wide range of specialties, including anxiety, therapy for burnout, and treatment of trauma. We specialize in supporting women and nonbinary professionals, with an emphasis on supporting the needs of BIPOC. We also offer therapy for couples and relationships. Learn more about our mission and values and sign up for a consultation to get matched with a great fit therapist today!
