Photo of Dr. Marcel Peloquin, Psychologist in Nova Scotia
Dr. Marcel Peloquin
Psychologist, PhD, RPsych
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
Halifax, NS B3K
What has spared us from pain in the past often keeps us stuck and anxious in the present. Most of us wish to be free of our psychological suffering, but we find ourselves continuing to treat ourselves or others poorly in spite of our best interest to do otherwise. We all need a therapeutic relationship where we can learn to experience our emotions safely, regulate our anxiety, and turn against our defenses. I provide Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), a comprehensive form of psychotherapy that helps patients experience their emotions and understand themselves across a broad range of clinical concerns.
What has spared us from pain in the past often keeps us stuck and anxious in the present. Most of us wish to be free of our psychological suffering, but we find ourselves continuing to treat ourselves or others poorly in spite of our best interest to do otherwise. We all need a therapeutic relationship where we can learn to experience our emotions safely, regulate our anxiety, and turn against our defenses. I provide Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), a comprehensive form of psychotherapy that helps patients experience their emotions and understand themselves across a broad range of clinical concerns.
(902) 906-5225 View (902) 906-5225
Photo of Timothy R Walker, Counsellor in Nova Scotia
Timothy R Walker
Counsellor, PhD, CCC, NSRCT
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Halifax, NS B3H
I work from the perspective that everyone has basic healthiness, a natural yearning for brilliant sanity and the wisdom of wholeness as part of their being. Conditioning and confusion can obscure these endowments but they are never absent. My job is to help draw out this wisdom for healing that is already there, by encouraging awareness. I begin with client-centered listening that honours where you are now, and the change you want. I then move into more experiential work to facilitate transformation. The contract for change and the pace of change is always in the client's hands
I work from the perspective that everyone has basic healthiness, a natural yearning for brilliant sanity and the wisdom of wholeness as part of their being. Conditioning and confusion can obscure these endowments but they are never absent. My job is to help draw out this wisdom for healing that is already there, by encouraging awareness. I begin with client-centered listening that honours where you are now, and the change you want. I then move into more experiential work to facilitate transformation. The contract for change and the pace of change is always in the client's hands
(902) 510-0189 View (902) 510-0189
Photo of Simon Sherry, Psychologist in Nova Scotia
Simon Sherry
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
Halifax, NS B3J
Dr. Sherry is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Dalhousie University. He has published 160 journal articles, delivered 275 scientific presentations and earned $2.5 million in grant funds. In 2018, Dr. Sherry and his wife founded CRUX Psychology, a team of 16 Ph.D.-level psychologists. We provide high-quality individual therapy, couples therapy and assessment. We use scientifically tested therapies and assessments. And each service is tailored to your preferences, values and goals, and delivered with exceptional care and warmth. By merging compassion with science, we help you get the results you want.
Dr. Sherry is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Dalhousie University. He has published 160 journal articles, delivered 275 scientific presentations and earned $2.5 million in grant funds. In 2018, Dr. Sherry and his wife founded CRUX Psychology, a team of 16 Ph.D.-level psychologists. We provide high-quality individual therapy, couples therapy and assessment. We use scientifically tested therapies and assessments. And each service is tailored to your preferences, values and goals, and delivered with exceptional care and warmth. By merging compassion with science, we help you get the results you want.
(902) 904-5582 View (902) 904-5582
Photo of Jason Tucker, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in Nova Scotia
Jason Tucker
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, RSW
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Truro, NS B2N
Accepting New Clients- I have a Masters in Social Work and have worked in Mental Health and Addictions for the past 7 years as a clinical therapist. Based in Truro, Nova Scotia, I meet clients in my office, over secure online video, or phone depending on needs and preferences. Are you suffering with anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties or another mental health disorder or challenge and are seeking a life without this distress? Maybe you need help navigating available services? I offer a supportive client centered environment and utilize evidence-based treatment practices to help you in achieving your goals.
Accepting New Clients- I have a Masters in Social Work and have worked in Mental Health and Addictions for the past 7 years as a clinical therapist. Based in Truro, Nova Scotia, I meet clients in my office, over secure online video, or phone depending on needs and preferences. Are you suffering with anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties or another mental health disorder or challenge and are seeking a life without this distress? Maybe you need help navigating available services? I offer a supportive client centered environment and utilize evidence-based treatment practices to help you in achieving your goals.
(902) 905-2622 View (902) 905-2622
Photo of Mike Whitehouse, Counsellor in Nova Scotia
Mike Whitehouse
Counsellor, RCT, BSc, BJourn, MEd
Verified Verified
Bedford, NS B4A
I am a Registered Counselling Therapist (RCT). My counselling approach is built on something called unconditional positive regard. I am a non-judgemental listener who likes to use kindness, support and sometimes even humour to build relationships with my clients. We can use a wide range of counselling practices depending on your personal or professional needs. Any person or group wrestling with an aspect of your personal or professional life is welcome to work with me. I have many years of experience in education and professional practice and have helped individuals, families, and businesses solve challenges they are facing.
I am a Registered Counselling Therapist (RCT). My counselling approach is built on something called unconditional positive regard. I am a non-judgemental listener who likes to use kindness, support and sometimes even humour to build relationships with my clients. We can use a wide range of counselling practices depending on your personal or professional needs. Any person or group wrestling with an aspect of your personal or professional life is welcome to work with me. I have many years of experience in education and professional practice and have helped individuals, families, and businesses solve challenges they are facing.
(782) 201-0182 View (782) 201-0182

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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.