Chronic Pain Therapists in Oakland, CA
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Andrew Damian
Psychologist, PsyD, BCN
Verified
Verified
I am a licensed psychologist with expertise in neurofeedback, neuropsychology,
chronic pain
treatment, individual psychotherapy, meditation, and qEEG brain mapping. I am board certified in neurofeedback and I use cutting-edge techniques to determine the best treatment and to improve outcomes.
Waitlist for new clients
Suzie Rudloff
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
People come to therapy with unique needs, concerns, and life circumstances. Through the process of self-inquiry, I help clients gain insight and develop effective coping skills to move through a challenge with greater ease and understanding. My therapeutic style is warm, compassionate and curious about one's experience. I use an attachment based, person-centered approach that offers individuals and couples clarity around repetitive patterns that cause
pain
, conflict, and limit growth.
Naomi Edelson
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Hello! I am a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in issues related to stress and anxiety, as well as chronic health concerns and
chronic pain
. I have a strong background in evidence-based medicine and focus on practical, results-oriented treatments that have been proven effective. No matter what challenges you are facing, such as work stress,
illness
, trauma, life transition, or relationship issues, I can help you make the necessary changes to move towards what is most important to you in life.
Bayla Travis, Psy.D. - Pain Management Specialist
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
I specialize in brief (6-24 weeks) psychotherapy for individuals, couples and groups with
chronic pain
and other health-related challenges, especially anxiety. I have expertise in treating people with gastrological illnesses and serve on the medical advisory committee of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. I also have extensive experience working in hospitals with medical providers. Clients typically see progress within 6 weeks. Treatment goals generally fall into two categories: meeting work/home responsibilities and increasing self-care. This process involves setting achievable short-term goals while keeping long-term goals in sight.
Karin K. Vandervoort
Psychologist
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
My services are built on years of compassionate & successful treatment outcomes: decreased passive and invasive modalities to treat injury/
illness
; recovered partnerships; reconciliation of loss, limitation, and trauma; greater flexibility and freedom; decreased internal "sibling rivalry"; & greater enjoyment of what you already have and who you already are.
Without meaning and the chance to therapeutically practice new insights and behaviors, we may suffer unnecessarily during times of high stress, trauma, or in daily life. Feelings may become an overwhelming flood of dread, sorrow or numbness; thinking becomes confused, panicky, and self-critical; joy, spontaneity and self-trust may feel lost. Together we can make good use of your strengths, symptoms and external challenges. Through exploring and deepening our understanding and trust in your own inner world, dignity and liveliness may be restored even under the most challenging or enduring of circumstances, illnesses or problems.
Deanne Samuels
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
SMOKING CESSATION VIRTUAL GROUPS AVAILABLE. Is stress, anxiety, panic, or
pain
ruining your life? Or were you recently diagnosed with a chronic/terminal
illness
or currently living with one? I can help. I specialize in stress management, anxiety, health anxiety / hypochondria,
pain
management, panic, smoking cessation, and support for those living with chronic
illness
(e.g., cancer, HIV). I utilize short-term cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation /meditation, mindfulness, and cognitive restructuring techniques to get you back to living your life. Phone / video sessions only for CALIFORNIA residents and FLORIDA residents.
Pauline Wakeham
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, SEP
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I help people to heal that
pain
.
Are you having trouble getting over a past shock or trauma?
Are you frequently in overwhelm/collapse?
Are you constantly bracing against danger, ready to fight or run away?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, I can help.
I specialize in working with people who have experienced being overwhelmed by events and experiences that have shaken their very foundations.
I take time to assess your personal stress/trauma history and provide guidance and support to assist you in your recovery.
I also help couples create sustained improvement in their relationship, creating more effective communication and fulfilling relationships.
Frances Gilliam Slocumb
MA, PhD, RP
Verified
Verified
Much psychological and physical
pain
and
illness
is based in early trauma experiences outside the reach of memory or words.
I am a Jungian analyst in private practice in North Berkeley. Trained in Zurich, I bring thirty years of experience to a wide range of psychological suffering, including depression, childhood trauma, relationship and family issues, grief, creativity, and spiritual crisis.
Christine S Kovach
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I specialize in supportive counseling with those facing serious
illness
(chronic, life threatening or new diagnoses), coping with the challenges of caregiving and grief/loss, as well as dealing with other life transitions. I am also pleased to provide consultations regarding elder care and planning for increasing needs. I frequently facilitate caregiver support groups and groups to support hospice staff members as they provide care to those who are terminally ill. In addition, I offer workshops employing expressive arts to address issues of grief and life transitions (Example: Day of the Dead Altar-making in Honor of Lost Loved ones).
Lisa Wright
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I specialize in the treatment of insomnia, coping with
illness
, and stress/anxiety.
Are you suffering from sleepless nights and unable to shut off your mind from stress and negative thoughts? Has stress been affecting your health and well-being? Have you felt stuck in terms of your ability to move toward your goals or have the life or career that you want? No matter what challenges you are facing, such as stress,
illness
, trauma, life transition, relationship issues, or loss, I can help you make the necessary changes to move toward what is most important to you in your life.
Lina M Hannigan
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
6 Endorsed
Verified
6 Endorsed
With a background in health/medical psychology and biofeedback, I focus on mind-body health and
chronic pain
/
illness
management.
Therapy with me is a place of active change. I help people manage stress and reduce overwhelm, strengthen relationships, build resilience, and move from "stuckness" into growth. My patients come to me to shift thinking styles, improve communication, and increase productivity. I use evidence-based practices (such as CBT and mindfulness) to enhance self-awareness, build skills, and achieve targeted goals. We also explore core beliefs and behavior patterns to deepen self-understanding. With couples, my work is informed by the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy. My office is located in a beautiful, peaceful marina setting.
Mauricio Lask
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
I have over 10 years of experience providing psychotherapy to people facing a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, stress, and
chronic pain
.
Whether you are struggling with difficult emotions or you would like to have a more vital life, therapy can help guide your personal journey. There are moments when we all struggle, get lost, and stray off the path towards our goals. We get stuck in unhelpful patterns that are hard to break free from. Insight into these patterns can lead to making different choices that are empowering and life-affirming. I create a warm and inviting space for exploration and personal growth. While I provide therapy for adolescents and adults, I also provide psychological evaluations to clients across the lifespan.
Keesha Clark
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, ACSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I specialize in helping individuals heal from depression, anxiety, peri/postpartum mood disorders, body image issues by increasing self-care, self-compassion and self- acceptance, even as they cope with chronic
illness
or
pain
.
The beauty and reward as a therapist is the opportunity to sit with someone in their darkest, most troubling places and reassure them that they aren’t alone while providing the support and encouragement they need to understand that healing is possible. If you are in need of a safe space and listening ear with a compassionate, down to earth, encouraging person ready to walk with you as you gain freedom from cycles of trauma and
pain
, I am the person for you. My biggest joy is bearing witness to my clients finding what they lost in the fire and empowering them to be restored in new & unimaginable ways.
Nancy Levine-Jordano
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, PsyD, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I believe most people seek therapy as a road to change: lessening sadness, loneliness, anxiety, guilt, shame; changing relationships; making life transitions. I have devoted many years of training and practice to better help my patients understand their unconscious obstacles to desired change. For some patients change means learning to confront
pain
from chronic conditions like anxiety, depression, bi-polar or attention deficit disorders, For others, change entails finding their authentic voice in relationships or facing difficult realities. I enjoy developing a close, working relationship with my patients to create new capacities within themselves, hopefully perceiving new choices in their lives.
Waitlist for new clients
Susan B. Garner, MA MFT
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified
Verified
I enjoy working with adults who are interested in becoming more conscious. We all have reactions to things but there are some reactions or triggers that cause emotional
pain
. These triggers are usually a leftover piece of unprocessed
pain
. Unless they are understood and healed, they'll keep coming up. I enjoy working with clients who are motivated and curious about this process. The result is more peace of mind and a more fulfilling relationship with oneself and others.
Loretta Sun Nam
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
Racism, harassment, brutality, microaggressions affect our levels of self-esteem, anxiety and depression. You're feeling shame and embarrassment, reeling from the shock, anger and
pain
and find it difficult to talk to others. You are experiencing trauma, and reliving it in your mind and feel alone. Telling those who may not understand, often makes it worse. It's important that you find someone with whom you are comfortable and trust. It’s important for your healing to be supported heard and validated.
Not accepting new clients
Rachel Walker
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Are you anxious, out of control, or overwhelmed on the inside, yet work hard to remain competent and in control on the outside? If so, my work may be particularly helpful to you. I specialize in helping people recover/discover a calm, secure experience of life. Whether you struggle with fears, self-doubt, anger or self-sabotage; whether you've had trauma in your past, or experienced a recent loss, break-up,
illness
or accident - I will help you understand what is happening, resolve disturbing feelings, and apply new skills and solutions.
Dr. Jacquie Josephson- Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
Do you feel stuck, like you are getting in your own way? Feelings hopeless and isolated? Life presents all kinds of challenges which we often try to manage on our own and creates frustrations. This frustration creates barriers that can leave you feeling distant from others and even a stranger to yourself. What is worse is often we don’t even know why we are struggling. I am dedicated to helping you with the difficult and painful experiences by facilitating understanding of yourself and the issues that cause
pain
.
Angela M. Anderson, LCSW
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, MA
Verified
Verified
I use an integrative approach to help my clients work through trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief, life transitions, and managing chronic
illness
.
Are you struggling to identify what you need? Are you in transition or wanting to make a change? Do you feel stuck and don't know why? Do hurts and disappointments from the past continue to bother you? I work to empower my clients to figure out what they need to feel happy with themselves and their lives. My clients gain self-confidence, self-knowledge, and an enhanced capacity to create the lives they want to live.
Bonnie Doughty
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I have been working with clients who struggle with mood, relationship challenges, and unhealthy substance use for the past 17 years. I understand how hard life can be when you struggle with any of these stressors. I can offer supportive listening, new coping mechanisms, and help with sorting out conflicting feelings so that you can let go of your past behaviors and/or beliefs that are causing
pain
and move towards living in the way you want to live. I love helping people who want to see change happen.
See more therapy options for
Chronic Pain Therapists
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.