Photo of Laura Beann, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Laura Beann
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94101  (Online Only)
I approach psychotherapy from a whole-person perspective and I believe therapy, along with other practices, can help us awaken to a life of meaning. In therapy I will help you identify the source of your longing to be whole, and together, we will move closer to that source, so you become re-sourced. Together we will explore your innate natural cycles and help you align to your own rhythm, so that you might meet depletion with rest and energy with creativity.
I approach psychotherapy from a whole-person perspective and I believe therapy, along with other practices, can help us awaken to a life of meaning. In therapy I will help you identify the source of your longing to be whole, and together, we will move closer to that source, so you become re-sourced. Together we will explore your innate natural cycles and help you align to your own rhythm, so that you might meet depletion with rest and energy with creativity.
(650) 547-3560 View (650) 547-3560

Online Therapists

Photo of Niccola Rosza, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA
Niccola Rosza
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Santa Rosa, CA 95403  (Online Only)
I utilize a holistic and integrative approach that offers a safe, supportive setting, using dream analysis, mindfulness, art therapy, journaling, meditation and other creative ways leading to an authentic and more rewarding life. From my studies under Rev. Kawakami, deputy head priest of Shunkoin Temple in Kyoto in Mindfulness and Zen Meditation, I have developed this therapeutic approach that treats, balances, and nourishes the mind, body, emotions, and soul. I use a variety of therapeutic perspectives and techniques including Psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioral, Jungian, and Mindfulness-based interventions.
I utilize a holistic and integrative approach that offers a safe, supportive setting, using dream analysis, mindfulness, art therapy, journaling, meditation and other creative ways leading to an authentic and more rewarding life. From my studies under Rev. Kawakami, deputy head priest of Shunkoin Temple in Kyoto in Mindfulness and Zen Meditation, I have developed this therapeutic approach that treats, balances, and nourishes the mind, body, emotions, and soul. I use a variety of therapeutic perspectives and techniques including Psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioral, Jungian, and Mindfulness-based interventions.
(707) 504-0873 View (707) 504-0873

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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.