Photo of Dana Fry, Psychologist in 19116, PA
Dana Fry
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
Philadelphia, PA 19116
My style is very down to earth, including humor, warmth, and acceptance. I am open to your ideas and your strengths. I listen closely to your feelings and to the challenges you face. I can help by offering new ways of looking at problems, at relationships, and at coping efforts. In this way, you can develop a better understanding of what may be keeping you stuck or making you unhappy, as well as new ways of responding to life's challenges.
My style is very down to earth, including humor, warmth, and acceptance. I am open to your ideas and your strengths. I listen closely to your feelings and to the challenges you face. I can help by offering new ways of looking at problems, at relationships, and at coping efforts. In this way, you can develop a better understanding of what may be keeping you stuck or making you unhappy, as well as new ways of responding to life's challenges.
(610) 486-3806 View (610) 486-3806
Photo of Ilona Menshova, Licensed Professional Counselor in 19116, PA
Ilona Menshova
Licensed Professional Counselor, MS, LPC, NCC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Philadelphia, PA 19116  (Online Only)
I will collaborate with you to identify what may be holding you back from the freedom to live a more enriching life. My mission is to help you rediscover a sense of hope and encourage you to move forward with the feeling of empowerment and a renewed ability to cope with life challenges. I focus on fostering a positive, non-judgmental environment while building trust. I build positive connections with my clients- sometimes through humor and laughter, other times through empathy and compassion.
I will collaborate with you to identify what may be holding you back from the freedom to live a more enriching life. My mission is to help you rediscover a sense of hope and encourage you to move forward with the feeling of empowerment and a renewed ability to cope with life challenges. I focus on fostering a positive, non-judgmental environment while building trust. I build positive connections with my clients- sometimes through humor and laughter, other times through empathy and compassion.
(215) 709-0518 View (215) 709-0518
Photo of Marina James, Pre-Licensed Professional in 19116, PA
Marina James
Pre-Licensed Professional, MA, CBC
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Philadelphia, PA 19116
Your anxiety is always present, and depression is a constant visitor, yet, energy and motivation rarely exist. You instinctively understand that society's rules are not always relevant; at the same time, it is hard to decide what is important and how to find your life's purpose, especially with unrealistic media expectations. You worry about money, the future, and the carbon footprint. You have difficulty with challenging conversations and making meaningful relationships. It is hard for you to keep up with the demands of life, keep things organized and workable, and find a healthy balance in life.
Your anxiety is always present, and depression is a constant visitor, yet, energy and motivation rarely exist. You instinctively understand that society's rules are not always relevant; at the same time, it is hard to decide what is important and how to find your life's purpose, especially with unrealistic media expectations. You worry about money, the future, and the carbon footprint. You have difficulty with challenging conversations and making meaningful relationships. It is hard for you to keep up with the demands of life, keep things organized and workable, and find a healthy balance in life.
(267) 982-4444 View (267) 982-4444

See more therapy options for 19116

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.