Chronic Pain Therapists in San Diego, CA
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Autumn Phillips
Psychologist, PsyD, MA
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
As Founder and Clinical Director of Phillips Medstone, I am dedicated to helping those who suffer from
chronic pain
, or a health related condition find relief. I have 10 years of experience working with patients in a multitude of healthcare settings, including serving as the Clinical Director for the former Scripps Hospital Functional Restoration Program, for over 7 years. With two office locations serving the San Diego area, I want to make quality care accessible for everyone. I accept most all insurances, including Medicare, Tricare, and Workers' Compensation. Please see our website for additional details at www.phillipsmedstone.com.
Timothy Lynch
Psychologist, PsyD, MA
Verified
Verified
I am a licensed psychologist with over 20 years of experience working with individuals who struggle with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Specifically, I have expertise in Alpha-Stim treatment for
chronic pain
, and assessment of military/deployment related PTSD. I am a trauma trained psychotherapist in EMDR, CPT and Prolonged Exposure. I am also a combat experienced Veteran.
Patricia C Kantzavelos
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, MLIS, MSW
Verified
Verified
As a chronic
illness
warrior/ spoonie, I completely understand what it feels like to sit on the other side of the couch (or, screen), and how important it is to chat with someone who 'gets it.
I specialize in chronic health conditions and trauma, which I understand first hand. Chronic medical conditions (i.e. dysautonomia POTS, EDS, Lyme disease, Bartonella, IBS, fibro, fatigue CFS, Hashimoto’s, mast cell MCAS, sickle cell disease, mold
illness
CIRS, etc.) often come with significant challenges, like fear, anxiety, grief, medical PTSD, and may interfere with relationships and daily function. I utilize various holistic evidence-based treatment modalities and practice-based evidence, contingent on each person’s needs and goals, with an added focus on mindfulness techniques, positive psychology, and strengths-based therapy.
San Diego, CA 92116
& Online
Waitlist for new clients
V. John Nguyen
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
While I specialize in the treatment of
chronic pain
, I also treat a wide range of concerns including anxiety disorders, depression, and life transitions.
Life can be chaotic and confusing sometimes. While we are all equipped to cope with stress in various ways, chronic stress can become overwhelming. If you're experiencing anxiety, depression, anger management issues, or
chronic pain
, seeing a therapist may help alleviate symptoms. Therapy can help regain access to your problem-solving abilities through stress reduction while teaching you new methods of coping - strengthening your repertoire of coping skills.
Waitlist for new clients
A-Lisa Miles
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
I specialize in helping individuals cope with chronic
illness
and
chronic pain
and have many years of experience in working with this population and helping them to develop improved coping skills.
I provide psychological treatment and services to address the difficulties associated with a variety of challenges and transitions. My approach to treatment is tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual client and I aim to create an atmosphere where people feel comfortable discussing and exploring their life. I view therapy as a collaboration and partnership between the client and myself. I provide support and guidance to help you identify areas of your life that need improvement or change and help you to set goals and create an action plan that will allow you to grow, shift, and live the life you want for yourself.
Waitlist for new clients
Angelyna Lowe
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
I work with clients who generally feel stuck in their lives, anxiety, depression, past, or circumstances. I also received specialized training in health psychology and help those looking to cope with chronic
illness
or seeking to improve
chronic pain
or insomnia. My clients learn to show up to life in a meaningful way, while learning to choose effective behaviors when faced with stressful situations. This is a collaborative process that is unique to your personality and needs, and the relationship we create. My clients strive to be defined not by their circumstances, past, thoughts or feelings, but by the choices they commit to.
Katie Olson
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
I work with adults and teens. Clients come to me when they are looking to improve their overall sense of well-being -- body, mind and spirit. My treatment approach is non-traditional, and I work with people struggling to feel at home in their bodies and their lives. I help with
chronic pain
, anxiety, depression, infertility, Lyme Disease, pregnancy/postpartum issues, addictive behaviors, issues specific to Highly Sensitive People (HSPs), the effects of trauma, and people who just feel 'lost' and want to revamp their lives. If you've been told over and over that you are 'too sensitive' or 'too much', you are welcome here.
Waitlist for new clients
Tracey L Chester
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, MA
Verified
Verified
I primarily work with patients who suffer from
chronic pain
or chronic
illness
. Simply put, patients need extra attention their loved ones may be unable to provide. I am the founder and clinical director of San Diego
Pain
and Trauma Institute, located in Sorrento Valley. The mission of this clinic is to provide an integrated approach, with primary care doctors, and doctors from different specialties, trauma-informed care, from physical therapy techniques to the most up to date evidence based practices. I am amongst a small group of professionals studying the relationship between trauma, grief and
chronic pain
.
Julie Markowitz
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, MBA
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I believe in all people’s innate capacity to heal. To me, all symptoms that we experience whether it be
chronic pain
, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, etc can be explained by trauma. Trauma does not have to be big events. Trauma can be if we are not attuned to emotionally as children or if our parents have their own unprocessed trauma—this sort of trauma often leads to deep seeded beliefs that we are unloveable and bad. Our healing comes from teaching our parts that we are loveable and accepted just as we are.
Kimberly Lauro
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
4 Endorsed
Verified
4 Endorsed
Seeking treatment for depression, anxiety or
chronic pain
can be intimidating especially when you are feeling down, with little energy and overwhelmed. Because you are here, you are on the right track! I'm a clinical psychologist with over 12 years of experience helping people like you improve mood, energy, empowerment and quality of life.
Anne Nisenzon
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
I have extensive experience in
pain
coping, stress management, adjustment to major life changes, and insomnia therapy.
Sometimes life throws obstacles at you that are out of your control, but that does not mean you cannot live your optimally healthy life. Being truly healthy includes emotional, social, mental and physical well-being. When these aspects of life are out of balance due to health problems, work stress, or personal issues, it can feel like your whole world is falling apart. Working through these challenges and learning the best coping tools can help you put it back together. I strive to help you move through challenges in achieving a healthy mind and body using practical, evidence-based strategies and compassionate tailored care.
Camille Bien
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified
Verified
During this phase in life, you may be diagnosed with a chronic
illness
, raising a child, or losing a parent.
Do you feel hopelessly stuck, frustrated, depressed, or anxious due to childhood trauma? Do you feel distant in your relationships with others? I’m here to help you find meaningful connections and balance the constant changes in life. In therapy, I can provide you a safe and warm environment for you to process your trauma or triggers. I will assist you in discovering your own strengths and developing new tools to manage negative feelings and thoughts.
Waitlist for new clients
Mia Sarno (Dr. Mimi)
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
I work most often with clients who struggle from trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, chronic
illness
, relationship difficulties, and life transitions.
Healing can feel impossible when life keeps throwing us challenges and harmful systems around us don’t change. It’s easy to feel stuck and lose hope, motivation and inspiration. Healing is possible under the right conditions, including being with someone who truly cares, listens, and sees you. My approach to therapy is humanistic, transpersonal and integrative. This means I appreciate the multiple layers of existence we all experience, including our minds, physical bodies, energy bodies, cultural contexts, and systemic contexts. I honor your unique identity and potential to achieve personal fulfillment, however that looks for you.
Jason Cencirulo
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
6 Endorsed
Verified
6 Endorsed
Reaching out isn't an easy thing to do, whether your
pain
or suffering is new or has existed for quite some time.
The first step in healing is often the scariest, and my hope is that you take that step - for you, for those you love, and those who love you. Whether you’re reaching out to heal, to grow, to grieve, or to understand, my goal is to create a space where you will be heard, seen, and understood in a way that allows you to approach the challenges of living in new ways.
Wayne Allen Bardwell
Psychologist, PhD, MBA, F-APOS
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I believe the basis of a successful psychotherapy experience is a warm, empathic and non-judgmental connection where clients feel understood, supported and accepted. My clinical work focuses on helping people with depression or anxiety issues, chronic or life-threatening
illness
, &
chronic pain
. In addition, I enjoy working with older adolescents and young adults who have been frustrated in trying to capitalize on their strengths & achieve their personal & professional goals. Our work may involve issues related to mood, behaviors, education/career, stage-of-life transitions, relationships, & sexuality or sexual orientation.
Jeongmi Moon
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
depression, anxiety, bipolar,
pain
psychologist, couples' issues, family issues, anger issues, loss and grief, memory issues, aging issues, gender issues, cultural issues.
As a bilingual Psychologist (English/Korean) I have over 10 years of experience in the clinical Psychology field. I have worked closely in the fields of depression, anxiety, bipolar,
pain
psychology, couples' issues, family issues, anger issues, loss and grief, memory issues, aging issues, gender issues, and cultural issues in an individual, couples, family, and group setting. I have honed my therapeutic skills to provide person-center-oriented therapy and Cognitive behavioral therapy to assist clients to embrace an authentic self with their own color of voice.
Sarah Ray
Psychologist, PsyD, QME
Verified
5 Endorsed
Verified
5 Endorsed
We treat a wide-range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression,
chronic pain
and
illness
, trauma, self-esteem, & stress.
Advanced Health Care is HERE To HELP during COVID-19. Now more than ever, life can be stressful, confusing, and painful at times. The purpose of our work together is to help you live a healthier, happier, and more meaningful life. Whether you want to be a happier person, to have better relationships, or to simply understand yourself better, I can help you achieve this. I combine support, insight, and direction to help you have the skills to better manage your life, and obtain greater peace and joy. There is no greater blessing than helping a person improve their life, and I appreciate the opportunity to help you!
Sarah Minas
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
For over a decade, I've assisted clients navigate a broad spectrum of life obstacles such as academic/occupational stress, interpersonal relationships, guilt/shame, personality disorders, mood and anxiety issues, life threatening
illness
, end-of-life, grief, loss and bereavement, self-esteem issues, life transitions, and more.
My philosophy is simple: Make the most of life's transitions and challenges to develop insight and tools for the future. My practice provides a safe and judgment-free space to explore those things most important to you. Using a straightforward approach to identify current challenges, we'll formulate strategies to tackle life's difficulties.
#1 Psychological Testing & Evaluations Service
Psychologist, PsyD, PhD
Verified
Verified
Bariatric Surgery, Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS), Intrathecal
Pain
Pump, Peripheral Nerve Stimulator (PNS), Spine Surgery, & More), Legal Capacity and Competency Exams, Neuropsychological Testing, Employment screening, Personality Assessments.
Founded in 1993, Help Therapy has a team of over 50 licensed neuropsychologists and psychologists who offer a wide range of psychological evaluations. For patients who need extra support, therapy is also offered. Patients are matched to a provider of their choice based on their specific needs and preferences. Clinicians work with seniors, adults and youth (age 7+) all throughout California.
Not accepting new clients
Tracy Hughes
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
In an increasingly complex world, we all strive to find balance in our lives. When one aspect of our lives becomes more demanding, we can lose this sense of balance, and struggle to regain our footing. A job loss, a move, a new relationship, the loss of a loved one, an
illness
- all of these can upset our equilibrium and leave us overwhelmed and struggling to cope. Whether your difficulties are recent or longstanding, whether you are seeking to improve your mood, your relationships, or your ability to cope with life's challenges, working with a good therapist can help.
See more therapy options for San Diego
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.