Photo of Grace Wellness Center, Licensed Professional Counselor in 15235, PA
Grace Wellness Center
Licensed Professional Counselor, MSEd, MEd, LPC
Verified Verified
Pittsburgh, PA 15235
We are a group of Christian Counselors who treat clients of all ages through Biblical truth and the healing power of God's grace. We integrate the best from the discipline of psychology with Christian counseling to help people find peace and contentment. We have counselors who specialize in addictions, attachment and trauma issues, grief, relationships, children, parenting, depression, anxiety and most other issues. Our organization has several centers throughout western PA. Please visit our website to see if we have a location that will meet your needs. www.thegracewellnesscenter.com
We are a group of Christian Counselors who treat clients of all ages through Biblical truth and the healing power of God's grace. We integrate the best from the discipline of psychology with Christian counseling to help people find peace and contentment. We have counselors who specialize in addictions, attachment and trauma issues, grief, relationships, children, parenting, depression, anxiety and most other issues. Our organization has several centers throughout western PA. Please visit our website to see if we have a location that will meet your needs. www.thegracewellnesscenter.com
(724) 906-4319 View (724) 906-4319
Photo of Betsy A DeChant, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 15235, PA
Betsy A DeChant
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LISW-S, BCD, FAGPA
Verified Verified
Penn Hills, PA 15235
I have been in full-time practice as a clinical social worker/psychotherapist since 1969, and practiced in both hospital and agency psychiatric settings for over 15 years, in addition to maintaining a private practice. Throughout my career, I have provided numerous national and regional training seminars and workshops for MH professionals on women's issues; the chronically mentally ill; dual-diagnosed populations; and group psychotherapy modalities, and have also published in these areas. I have an eclectic style that encourages a flexible and collaborative working partnership which reflects the needs, goals, and personal context of the individual person.
I have been in full-time practice as a clinical social worker/psychotherapist since 1969, and practiced in both hospital and agency psychiatric settings for over 15 years, in addition to maintaining a private practice. Throughout my career, I have provided numerous national and regional training seminars and workshops for MH professionals on women's issues; the chronically mentally ill; dual-diagnosed populations; and group psychotherapy modalities, and have also published in these areas. I have an eclectic style that encourages a flexible and collaborative working partnership which reflects the needs, goals, and personal context of the individual person.
(724) 907-1668 View (724) 907-1668
Photo of Richard States, Licensed Professional Counselor in 15235, PA
Richard States
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified Verified
Pittsburgh, PA 15235  (Online Only)
People of all walks of life often go through tough times ... and I am here to help. I have worked, since 1991, with individuals, couples, and families across outpatient and inpatient settings, in homes and schools, and now through telehealth. I have assisted people with a variety of challenges--whether related to depression, anxiety, stress and trauma, behavioral control, self-esteem, substance use, life transition, and other concerns.
People of all walks of life often go through tough times ... and I am here to help. I have worked, since 1991, with individuals, couples, and families across outpatient and inpatient settings, in homes and schools, and now through telehealth. I have assisted people with a variety of challenges--whether related to depression, anxiety, stress and trauma, behavioral control, self-esteem, substance use, life transition, and other concerns.
(724) 200-8481 View (724) 200-8481
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.