Photo of Kathleen Adams, Psychologist in 78746, TX
Kathleen Adams
Psychologist, PhD, CGP
Verified Verified
Austin, TX 78746  (Online Only)
Pain exists to make us pay attention. Trying desperately not to hurt, we compromise our integrity, our hearts and our sense of self, on some misguided mission to be invulnerable, to please, to care-take, or just to belong...Somewhere along the way, our vision of ourselves loses focus. Therapy can help create a new template for living. Research shows us that the brain can actually re-wire itself in the context of a secure relationship, developing new capacities for self-soothing, obtaining perspective, and being intimate. I believe that all suffering bears embedded gifts, if we look hard enough.
Pain exists to make us pay attention. Trying desperately not to hurt, we compromise our integrity, our hearts and our sense of self, on some misguided mission to be invulnerable, to please, to care-take, or just to belong...Somewhere along the way, our vision of ourselves loses focus. Therapy can help create a new template for living. Research shows us that the brain can actually re-wire itself in the context of a secure relationship, developing new capacities for self-soothing, obtaining perspective, and being intimate. I believe that all suffering bears embedded gifts, if we look hard enough.
(361) 596-3981 View (361) 596-3981
Photo of Ali Houshmand, Marriage & Family Therapist in 78746, TX
Ali Houshmand
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, LPC
Verified Verified
Austin, TX 78746
Seeking support after the death of a loved one, or preparing for the death of a loved one, can be overwhelming. The focus of my work is to support individuals, families, couples, and children/teenagers when they are dealing with the challenges of loss due to an illness or other issues related to loss. I strive to help my clients cope with the difficult prospects of loss such as death, suicide, divorce, marital discord, terminal illness, chronic illness, job loss, and the challenges it brings to the client, and their family.
Seeking support after the death of a loved one, or preparing for the death of a loved one, can be overwhelming. The focus of my work is to support individuals, families, couples, and children/teenagers when they are dealing with the challenges of loss due to an illness or other issues related to loss. I strive to help my clients cope with the difficult prospects of loss such as death, suicide, divorce, marital discord, terminal illness, chronic illness, job loss, and the challenges it brings to the client, and their family.
(512) 764-1045 View (512) 764-1045
Photo of Engracia B Gill, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 78746, TX
Engracia B Gill
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, MBA
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Austin, TX 78746
My great joy is to facilitate healing in body, mind and spirit. I use a varied approach to suit your needs and circumstances. Difficult life events such as a relationship breakup, divorce, addictions and depression demand learning new coping skills. Releasing stress, creating safety within and with others are the first tasks in the therapeutic alliance. Understanding your world is my focus. We work to transform your life stressors into growth opportunities, a challenge I meet willingly. With trust, everything is achievable.
My great joy is to facilitate healing in body, mind and spirit. I use a varied approach to suit your needs and circumstances. Difficult life events such as a relationship breakup, divorce, addictions and depression demand learning new coping skills. Releasing stress, creating safety within and with others are the first tasks in the therapeutic alliance. Understanding your world is my focus. We work to transform your life stressors into growth opportunities, a challenge I meet willingly. With trust, everything is achievable.
(361) 444-1892 View (361) 444-1892
Photo of Susannah D. Kirksey, Licensed Professional Counselor in 78746, TX
Susannah D. Kirksey
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC, EMDR
Verified Verified
Rollingwood, TX 78746
We live in an extraordinary stressful time. Do you find yourself feeling anxious, depressed, or lonely? Maybe you face issues of love and relationship, career and money, health and happiness, or bereavement and loss. Perhaps you are simply sick of repeating the same self-defeating patterns. Whatever the case, we can figure it out together. I will guide you in the journey of self-inquiry that will lead to creating something beautiful and extraordinary in your life no matter the circumstance. Life will take on new meaning and purpose as you begin to explore and discover and love who you are.
We live in an extraordinary stressful time. Do you find yourself feeling anxious, depressed, or lonely? Maybe you face issues of love and relationship, career and money, health and happiness, or bereavement and loss. Perhaps you are simply sick of repeating the same self-defeating patterns. Whatever the case, we can figure it out together. I will guide you in the journey of self-inquiry that will lead to creating something beautiful and extraordinary in your life no matter the circumstance. Life will take on new meaning and purpose as you begin to explore and discover and love who you are.
(512) 598-4239 View (512) 598-4239
Photo of Three Oaks Counseling & Psychiatry, Licensed Professional Counselor in 78746, TX
Three Oaks Counseling & Psychiatry
Licensed Professional Counselor
Verified Verified
We are a group of talented and experienced mental health clinicians that provides counseling and medication management all across Austin and greater Texas. We have offices in West Lake Hills, Georgetown, and Dripping Springs. We also provide telehealth service anywhere in Texas.
We are a group of talented and experienced mental health clinicians that provides counseling and medication management all across Austin and greater Texas. We have offices in West Lake Hills, Georgetown, and Dripping Springs. We also provide telehealth service anywhere in Texas.
(512) 772-5453 View (512) 772-5453
Photo of Esmé Valette, Licensed Professional Counselor in 78746, TX
Esmé Valette
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, EdM, EMDR, LPC
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Austin, TX 78746
I strive to create a therapeutic environment where you feel comfortable expressing whatever is on your mind without fear of judgment. I believe that you are the expert in your own healing, and I will work collaboratively with you to identify and reach your treatment goals. I use approaches that have been scientifically researched and found to be effective, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and somatic and mindfulness-based interventions. I will work with you to ensure that you are not in therapy longer than is necessary to reach your treatment goals.
I strive to create a therapeutic environment where you feel comfortable expressing whatever is on your mind without fear of judgment. I believe that you are the expert in your own healing, and I will work collaboratively with you to identify and reach your treatment goals. I use approaches that have been scientifically researched and found to be effective, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and somatic and mindfulness-based interventions. I will work with you to ensure that you are not in therapy longer than is necessary to reach your treatment goals.
(512) 548-2372 View (512) 548-2372
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.