Photo of Nicole L. Morrissey, Counsellor in Nova Scotia
Nicole L. Morrissey
Counsellor, MEd, CCC, RCT-C
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Halifax, NS B3K  (Online Only)
Do you experience reoccurring overwhelm, anxiousness, dysregulation, depression, relationship difficulties, bodily and/or emotional numbness, depletion of energy levels, insomnia or restless sleeps, dependency on substances to cope with stressors and/or difficult emotions, feelings of hopelessness, and/or thoughts that hinder your ability to live well? If so, I could be the right person to help navigate these challenges with you.
Do you experience reoccurring overwhelm, anxiousness, dysregulation, depression, relationship difficulties, bodily and/or emotional numbness, depletion of energy levels, insomnia or restless sleeps, dependency on substances to cope with stressors and/or difficult emotions, feelings of hopelessness, and/or thoughts that hinder your ability to live well? If so, I could be the right person to help navigate these challenges with you.
(782) 800-5383 View (782) 800-5383
Photo of Amiee Wilson Counselling, Counsellor in Nova Scotia
Amiee Wilson Counselling
Counsellor, BIS, MACP, RHN, CCC, RCT-C
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Sydney, NS B1S  (Online Only)
Step into a journey tailored to your needs on every level – physical, social, mental, and spiritual. If you're seeking support to combat mental health challenges and understand yourself deeply, you're in the right place. My holistic approach delves into the core of your being, unraveling the connections between your physical, social, mental, and spiritual well-being. Together, we'll empower you with insights that foster balance and renewal. Are you ready for a transformative journey towards understanding and holistic wellness? Let's start this chapter together, guiding you towards a more empowered, resilient you.
Step into a journey tailored to your needs on every level – physical, social, mental, and spiritual. If you're seeking support to combat mental health challenges and understand yourself deeply, you're in the right place. My holistic approach delves into the core of your being, unraveling the connections between your physical, social, mental, and spiritual well-being. Together, we'll empower you with insights that foster balance and renewal. Are you ready for a transformative journey towards understanding and holistic wellness? Let's start this chapter together, guiding you towards a more empowered, resilient you.
(902) 903-6390 View (902) 903-6390

See more therapy options for Nova Scotia

Chronic Pain Counsellors

How does chronic pain therapy work?

Engaging with a psychotherapist to help treat chronic pain does not mean that one’s pain is all in their head. Therapy for chronic-pain patients has been shown to benefit both the mind and the body, targeting physical symptoms and increasing daily functioning. In other words, for many, addressing their emotional health through therapy affects their physical health. A therapist can help a client challenge unhelpful thoughts about pain and develop new ways to respond to it, such as distraction or calming breathing techniques. Studies have found that therapy can be as effective as surgery for certain cases of chronic pain and many doctors recommend trying psychotherapy in advance of considering invasive surgery.

What are the most effective treatment options for chronic pain?

Stress, anxiety, depression, catastrophising, ruminating, lack of activity, and social withdrawal all make chronic pain worse. Addressing these issues, research shows, can help people gain control over their pain symptoms. Therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy, biofeedback, and mindfulness-based stress reduction, along with greater pain-management education, have been found to help people reduce fear and disability.

Are there new treatments for chronic pain?

Many cases of chronic pain, particularly those involving back pain, remain medically unexplained. But there is evidence that changes in the brain or nervous system are caused by previous physical ailments such as tissue damage; in such cases, the brain may continue to send out pain signals despite the physical cause having healed. To aid patients under these circumstances, a recently developed treatment known as pain reprocessing therapy (PRT) is designed to help the brain “unlearn” this response. A PRT practitioner helps individuals to reduce the “threat value” of their ongoing pain signals until they can reappraise them as less threatening and fear-inducing. They also help an individual to develop new emotional regulation skills.

How long does therapy for chronic pain take?

There is no set timeline for recovery from chronic pain, especially as there may be a range of physical and psychological causes for any individual’s discomfort, but most patients should expect to see a therapist for a number of weeks or months, typically spanning at least 12 sessions. Studies of pain reprocessing therapy found that many individuals’ experience of pain lessened in eight sessions over four weeks.