Chronic Pain Therapists in Santa Monica, CA

I am a clinical psychologist specialized in the care of patients with physical pain . I provide psychological evaluation and individual/family psychotherapy. I rely upon a variety of therapy methods - psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral and existential. My hope is to help people suffering with the emotional consequences of physical pain to improve insight, coping and acceptance. I can also provide pre-surgical psychological evaluations as required by insurance for invasive pain and other medical procedures. I collaborate with health care providers. I also provide psychotherapy to non- pain patient for general emotional issues

I believe anxiety and stress to be the foundation of many issues we all face. My first goal is to help my patients reduce stress thereby decreasing chronic pain , depression and even the ravages of disease and illness . By developing rapport and trust and then utilizing healthy coping skills, the goal of anxiety reduction can be achieved. Its important to remember that we are engaged in a collaborative process where we learn to accept, resolve, move on and let go. I find that mindfulness, meditation and breathing is highly effective in decreasing anxiety and depression.

I help clients learn how to manage chronic pain without daily pain medications and to help clients with sleep disorders (all types) learn to sleep deeply and wake rested without sleeping pills. I also help clients with complex medical diagnoses to develop wellness programs. I have been the Director of four chronic pain program. I have been providing Behavioral Sleep Medicine therapy or the UCLA Sleep Medicine Programs for 16 years. My approach to correcting sleep disorders encompasses neurocognitive self-regulation, mindfulness, breathing training, mind control to stop mind racing,sleep education and classic CBT for insomnia.

I work with individuals and couples experiencing anxiety, depression and relationship concerns. Anxiety and stress are also often the underlying issues of depression and physical ailments such as Headaches, Back Pain , IBS and Fibromyalgia . My approach is mindfulness based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Reality Therapy.

Ketamine for Depression, Anxiety, and PTSD. Our treatment program helps patients address the many symptoms resulting from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) as well as the effects of anxiety and PTSD. Our program includes low-dose ketamine infusion to help patients manage CRPS symptoms and improve functional abilities. Our primary goal of ketamine and functional pain management is to treat anxiety, depression, and resulting effects associated with acute and chronic pain .

Colleen Perry, M.F.T., is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California (MFC38937).Most people come to see a therapist because they are in emotional pain , physical pain , or both, as one often creates the other. I understand how vulnerable this can make you feel, so I am committed to giving my full attention and respect to the unique experience of each client. It is for this reason that I maintain a small “boutique” practice, where I listen to what you want for your life and together we create a course of treatment that meets your goals and needs.

Are you hoping to find a solution out of a specific problem? Are you looking to make improvements in your life but just don't know where to start? Do you struggle coping with a chronic illness or chronic pain disorder? Do you find yourself feeling "stuck", unmotivated, or unable to experience the same joy as before? Are you constantly worried about something bad happening? Are you having difficulty sleeping? Have you experienced a loss, whether it's the death of a loved one or the loss of a future life you imagined? Is your relationship on the rocks or suffered broken trust? Is anxiety taking over your life?

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, author, UCLA Certified Mindfulness Facilitator, and Drama Therapist. I was on the cover of the February 2018 edition of Mindful Magazine. I have been a Licensed Clinical Psychologist for over twenty years. I combine mindfulness, somatic (body-based) therapies, and story in the work I do. I offer mindfulness-based services to help with stress, anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, relationship disruptions, poor attention/concentration, lack of focus, and chronic pain . I also emphasize skills to cultivate positive emotions for a happier, healthier, more peaceful life; and better relationships.

Late life is often a dynamic time and one of transition. For many older adults, it is fraught with illness , loss and emotional and physical challenge. But it can also be a time of enormous potential. With fewer obligations, long time personal goals can finally be realized and difficult family relationships repaired and healed. Evidence suggests that it's possible to make change at any stage of life. Together through the collaborative process of psychotherapy, we will work towards your goals using an integrated approach that includes psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, and solution focused strategies.

I believe in your capacity to change and to fully live and enjoy your life. Relationship struggles, illness , addictions, and many other obstacles may be blocking your way to a fully actualized experience. For over 20 years I have helped people overcome their obstacles, come to a new understanding of their choices and relationships, and experience a new freedom. When given a nurturing environment, people flourish. I provide a therapy that is active, warm, and at the same time challenging enough to help you achieve your goals and reach an enjoyment of life that you didn't know was possible.

I have had over 25 years of experience helping people deal with anxiety, depression and traumatic experiences. Creating a safe, trusting relationship is the basis of productive therapy and healing. I am an empathetic listener who uses a variety of approaches to help people reach their goals.

I specialize in working with clients who experience chronic pain , autoimmune disorders, anxiety and depression. Maybe you have seen many doctors, physical therapists, etc and you are still suffering in pain . Maybe nothing you have tried has been successful and you are feeling invalidated by the medical community. Pain is a signal of danger that comes from the brain. When the brain assesses threat due to stress, trauma or a previous injury, it may use actual pain as a way to communicate that it believes you are in danger. I am certified in Pain Reprocessing Therapy to assist you in learning to help retrain your brain.

Do you find yourself completely avoiding or “numbing out” because things seem so overwhelming? Do you find yourself so “revved up” to do things, to only later find yourself completely burned out? Do you feel like you can’t enjoy life because there is a constant pressure to do things and “do them right?” I help YOU manage these heavy feelings, learn coping strategies, and begin discovering “what’s right with you.” I have empowered many clients at UCLA Medicine, The Pain Psychology Center, and The Relational Center feel in order to truly heal.

My clients come to me for practical, tangible guidance and support on how to overcome the challenges they face. I use an evidenced based approach, combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, that helps clients regain control of their lives, reduce unhelpful racing thoughts, and develop resiliency and confidence. Unlike traditional "talk therapy," where much your time is spent discussing vague concepts, my approach is to create realistic, attainable solutions and help you identify the roadmap to achieve them. About half of my practice involves working with teens/young adults and half with adults.

You struggle with feelings of worry and restlessness, which interferes with your daily life and your quality of sleep. Maybe you also live with a chronic pain issue or condition, like chronic migraines, fibromyalgia , osteoarthritis, or something else that causes frequent pain and discomfort. You have a lot of ambitious ideas and thoughts, but struggle with implementation of them due to stress, pain , and fears of failure. Sometimes these feelings and physical sensations can seem unbearable, unrelenting and paralyzing. You sometimes may wonder if you are all alone in these feelings.

We are passionate about helping women who are faced with various challenges related to infertility, postpartum, women's health, and chronic illness . Our team of therapists uses their specialized training and lived experience to customize ways to best support you during this time.

A good therapist has wisdom, compassion and the ability to connect deeply with you, while creating a safe healing environment. These are among the strengths that my patients ascribed to me during my many years as a Pediatrician... and that ultimately led me to a career in psychotherapy. Having raised two preadolescent daughters after my wife died, I have experienced many of life's tragedies, celebrations, anxieties and fears. With empathy, expertise, and kindness, I 've helped countless individuals and families work through their issues. I would look forward to doing the same with you.

Life throws us obstacles every day. Sometimes we are able to overcome them on our own. Other times however, it is harder to move through them without support. When life becomes overwhelming & there seems like nowhere else to turn, therapy can be a helpful option. To some, therapy seems scary, uncomfortable, strange, or even stigmatizing. But overall, it takes courage to seek help or to make a change. I have training, education, & experience working with a range of psychological issues including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, compulsive behaviors, & addiction.

Perhaps you are here because of a recent diagnosis that has rocked your world and left you feeling powerless and scared, or maybe it's a last-ditch effort to find someone who can help you out of your private pain . I am here to join you there and help you up. There is hope! Hope for freedom from anxiety, fear, and loneliness. Hope for more satisfying relationships with your partner, child, parent or friend. There is even hope to thrive and experience true joy.

My passion is in body psychotherapy. Clients enjoy our work connecting their body/inner strengths and their mind/rational strengths to achieve growth. My clients value the kindness, compassion, and safety I create, so they feel comfortable and heard. I have success working with clients that experience cancer, adoption, grief, stress, excessive worry, depression, conflict with others, life transitions, parenting issues, chronic illness and pain . Caregivers and family members of cancer patients find working with me helpful, healing, and nurturing. Clients that are not comfortable just talking really appreciate the tools I give them.