Sexual Health and Disabilities
This group's focus is for people with physical disabilities ( different abilities) wanting support with sexual health. People are quite diverse with their different abilities. For some, it might be obvious and others, they are looked at as "healthy" but ...
Hosted by Pamela Lewis
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Brea, CA 92821
This group's focus is for people with physical disabilities ( different abilities) wanting support with sexual health. People are quite diverse with their different abilities. For some, it might be obvious and others, they are looked at as "healthy" but ...
Chronic Pain Support
Hosted by Marissa Long
Psychologist, MAOB, PsyD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Claremont, CA 91711
Countertransference and the Self of the Therapist
This is a consultation group for psychotherapists which focuses on enhancing the therapist's understanding of her Countertransference and potential intersecting vulnerabilities with patients to facilitate both personal and professional development. This group meets on the second Friday of the month. ...
Hosted by Susan Diamond Moore
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, ACSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Berkeley, CA 94705
This is a consultation group for psychotherapists which focuses on enhancing the therapist's understanding of her Countertransference and potential intersecting vulnerabilities with patients to facilitate both personal and professional development. This group meets on the second Friday of the month. ...
Wellness in Illness (for Patients and Caregivers)
Hosted by Audra Potz
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Coping with Chronic Pain
Does chronic pain limit your life? Do you find it difficult to enjoy the activities and people you used to? Are you depressed and tired? Or anxious about the pain? You don't have to manage it alone! If you are ...
Does chronic pain limit your life? Do you find it difficult to enjoy the activities and people you used to? Are you depressed and tired? Or anxious about the pain? You don't have to manage it alone! If you are ...
Vulvodynia Chronic Pain Group
Vulvodynia Group (chronic pelvic pain) . Learn methods to eliminate or greatly reduce your pain based on brain training techniques. Email healingwithsipora@gmail.c om for more info.
Hosted by Sipora B. Weissman
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Ventura, CA 93001
Vulvodynia Group (chronic pelvic pain) . Learn methods to eliminate or greatly reduce your pain based on brain training techniques. Email healingwithsipora@gmail.c om for more info.
Virtual Chronic Illness Support Group
Whether you’ve just been diagnosed or you’ve been dealing with chronic illness for years, this group is for you. This group is designed to be a space where you can connect with others living with chronic health conditions to feel ...
Hosted by Allyson Byers
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Los Angeles, CA 90046
Whether you’ve just been diagnosed or you’ve been dealing with chronic illness for years, this group is for you. This group is designed to be a space where you can connect with others living with chronic health conditions to feel ...
Chronic Illness Psychotherapy Group
A small private psychotherapy group for adults who are interested in personal growth and also have a chronic illness.
Hosted by Cherylynne Berger
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Pasadena, CA 91101
A small private psychotherapy group for adults who are interested in personal growth and also have a chronic illness.
Holistic Mental Wellness
Virtual group to address mood and relationship problems through holistic coping skills and social support. Members discuss current stress and health problems in order to problem solve and support each other in seeking natural forms of supporting mental health. The ...
Hosted by Dianna C Hansen
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, LADC
Verified Verified
Group meets in Imperial Beach, CA 91932
Virtual group to address mood and relationship problems through holistic coping skills and social support. Members discuss current stress and health problems in order to problem solve and support each other in seeking natural forms of supporting mental health. The ...
Chronic Pain Relief via Video
This online chronic pain recovery and relief group will begin to meet via video (California residents only) when there are enough interested participants. I anticipate starting this group in June of 2024. I have led chronic pain education and support ...
Hosted by Dr. Heather Martarella
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Emeryville, CA 94608
This online chronic pain recovery and relief group will begin to meet via video (California residents only) when there are enough interested participants. I anticipate starting this group in June of 2024. I have led chronic pain education and support ...
Embrace Intimacy | Sex, Pain and Illness
(women only) Do you want to renew, revive and nurture your romantic, intimate and sexual relationship? In this group we will explore ways of how to have a fulfilling, intimate relationship with your partner regardless of pain or illness ( ...
Hosted by Tacha Kasper
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Huntington Beach, CA 92646
(women only) Do you want to renew, revive and nurture your romantic, intimate and sexual relationship? In this group we will explore ways of how to have a fulfilling, intimate relationship with your partner regardless of pain or illness ( ...
Chronic Pain Support/ Therapy Group:
Trauma, isolation and loss of connection with
others are major issue for most people dealing with chronic pain and illness. This warm, long-term support group addresses hidden disabilities, chronic pain, and life-altering medical challenges. Members of this unique group inspire ...
Hosted by Ann Steiner
Marriage & Family Therapist
Verified Verified
Group meets in Lafayette, CA 94549
Trauma, isolation and loss of connection with
others are major issue for most people dealing with chronic pain and illness. This warm, long-term support group addresses hidden disabilities, chronic pain, and life-altering medical challenges. Members of this unique group inspire ...
Periodic 4 Wk Mindfulness Group
Mindfulness is a gentle awareness of the present moment without judgement. We practice mindfulness meditation in order to increase our capacity for joy and calm throughout a busy day. Additionally, this deep silence alleviates anxiety and depression and rebalances the ...
Hosted by Elizabeth Carr
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, MA, MS, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Burbank, CA 91505
Mindfulness is a gentle awareness of the present moment without judgement. We practice mindfulness meditation in order to increase our capacity for joy and calm throughout a busy day. Additionally, this deep silence alleviates anxiety and depression and rebalances the ...
Queer and Chronically Ill
Join us and process what it’s like to come from a faith-based background and be queer with others who understand and share your experience. Some session topics include the following: Week 1, Coming Out and Calling In; Week 2, Family ...
Hosted by Sobia Saleem Psychotherapist
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, MA
Verified Verified
Group meets in Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Join us and process what it’s like to come from a faith-based background and be queer with others who understand and share your experience. Some session topics include the following: Week 1, Coming Out and Calling In; Week 2, Family ...
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain
CBT has been shown by multiple studies to be effective in helping people manage the symptoms of chronic pain. The focus of this group is improving quality of life and functioning. Learn how to build coping skills, about the neurobiology ...
Hosted by Kira Monterrey
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, MPA, CIMHP
Verified Verified
Group meets in Antioch, CA 94531
CBT has been shown by multiple studies to be effective in helping people manage the symptoms of chronic pain. The focus of this group is improving quality of life and functioning. Learn how to build coping skills, about the neurobiology ...
Coping with Chronic Pain or Illness
This group is for adults who suffer with coping with chronic pain or illness and want to learn new coping skills and ways to life a fulfilling life regardless of circumstances. We will cover all the emotional impact of living ...
Hosted by Tacha Kasper
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Huntington Beach, CA 92646
This group is for adults who suffer with coping with chronic pain or illness and want to learn new coping skills and ways to life a fulfilling life regardless of circumstances. We will cover all the emotional impact of living ...
Court mandated Classes that include the following:
Court Mandated Classes - Parenting Class 11 lesson, Alcohol and Drug Awareness, Victim Impact Panel, Shoplifting and Theft prevention, Anger Management up to 52 weeks, Cognitive Skills, Verbal de-escalating PP training, Christian Anger Management. Groups include, depression, anxiety, teens, spanish ...
Hosted by The Trauma and Healing Foundation
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Rialto, CA 92376
Court Mandated Classes - Parenting Class 11 lesson, Alcohol and Drug Awareness, Victim Impact Panel, Shoplifting and Theft prevention, Anger Management up to 52 weeks, Cognitive Skills, Verbal de-escalating PP training, Christian Anger Management. Groups include, depression, anxiety, teens, spanish ...
Endometriosis Support Group
Endometriosis can be a debilitating disease. There are more solutions than just getting on birth control or getting a hysterectomy. Join us for a weekly process group at SHAPE Center in Pasadena as we share our stories and explore living ...
Hosted by Dr. Shannon Chavez
Psychologist, PsyD, MA, LCP, CST
Verified Verified
Group meets in Pasadena, CA 91101
Endometriosis can be a debilitating disease. There are more solutions than just getting on birth control or getting a hysterectomy. Join us for a weekly process group at SHAPE Center in Pasadena as we share our stories and explore living ...
Pelvic Pain Treatment Group
An on-going weekly treatment and support group for women with chronic pelvic pain issues. Learn how to manage your pain, gain support from other members, utilize effective relaxation techniques, understand how to have control over your pain, and heal through ...
Hosted by Kayna Ambroz Cassard
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Venice, CA 90291
An on-going weekly treatment and support group for women with chronic pelvic pain issues. Learn how to manage your pain, gain support from other members, utilize effective relaxation techniques, understand how to have control over your pain, and heal through ...
Women's Metastatic Cancer
Support Group for women with metastatic cancer to share experiences, treatment, journey
Hosted by Kim C Venezia
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Berkeley, CA 94705
Support Group for women with metastatic cancer to share experiences, treatment, journey
See more therapy options for California
Chronic Pain Support Groups
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, catastrophizing, 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 behavioral 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.