Chronic Pain Therapists in Saint Louis, MO
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Taylor J Scott
MA, PLPC
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
As someone who has had personal experiences with an injury from a car accident resulting in
chronic pain
, leaving a religious cult, and childhood trauma I have found a deeply rooted passion to be with others as they take the journey of self-awareness and personal transformation.
With the world evolving we need to be equipped to navigate our emotional bodies in daily life. I provide a unique and practical approach to therapy that focuses on integrating the spiritual, physical, and emotional parts of a person. This union reduces anxiety and increases confidence along with creativity. We deserve to live from the little fire in our souls, creating the life we not only deeply desire but the one we desperately need. I would love to journey alongside you as you take back your personal power!
Waitlist for new clients
Shannon Clark-Sienkiewicz
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
What's not working with your health and life goals? Do you suffer from
pain
and can't get a clear answer why? Do you find the motivation to stay healthy an impossible task with your busy schedule? Do difficult relationships or trauma make it hard to manage stress? It's time to do the deeper work.
Stephene VandenBrink
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified
Verified
Life can present us with a myriad of troubles. Sometimes we get stuck in survival mode; we’ve spent years just getting by or we’ve been knee deep in struggle. Maybe you’re tired? Tired of sadness, anger, hopelessness, physical
pain
, and anxiety. You’re ready for change, but need someone you can be honest with. Someone who won’t judge you, but will gently help you walk in new paths and gain the freedom and healing that you long for.
Sheri Rezak-Irons
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I practice with the utmost respect for my clients and their process of healing and growth, and maintain a supportive, encouraging and safe atmosphere.I believe in balancing the mind and body to assist in stress relief and healing. Clients receive a self soothe kit when they begin working with me.I have been practicing EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitizing and Reprocessing ) since 1993 and am an EMDR Consultant and Certified EMDR therapist. EMDR is invaluable in treating the trauma that accompanies,
illness
, grief,
pain
and loss, as well as helping clients find their inner resources and reconnect to themselves.
Not accepting new clients
Mary Ann Commes
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I specialize in working with adolescents and young adults who are experiencing anxiety, depression, grief or life transitions; chronic
illness
, or trauma.
Making the choice to start therapy can feel daunting, but it can be a rewarding and healing experience. Therapy is a space where you can express thoughts and feelings without judgment. You can explore and heal, learn and observe, and work towards the goals and values that you identify as important. I assist people in discovering peace and comfort within their lives through coping skills, mindfulness practices, and self compassion, as well as exploring and healing from past experiences and traumas.
Moira Killoran
PLPC, NCC
Verified
Verified
As an Internal Family Systems (IFS) trained therapist, I believe we are all made up of many different parts. We have vulnerable inner parts, referred to as exiles, who were wounded in the past and took on extreme beliefs and emotions. To protect us from re-experiencing those feelings and sensations, we develop protective parts to either manage our lives to prevent these wounds from being poked or firefighters who come on the scene to move us away from the
pain
once touched. I believe that all parts are valuable and deserve to be heard, understood, and unburdened from the extreme roles they have taken on to protect you.
Not accepting new clients
Washington University Psychological Service Ctr
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
Possible opening for couples counseling; call for availability! The Washington University Psychological Service Center (PSC) offers psychotherapy and neuropsychological/cognitive testing. Therapists are trained to treat a variety of concerns including: Anxiety, Panic, Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Trauma/Post-Traumatic Stress, Eating Disorders, Relationship problems, Aging-related issues, Grief and loss, Insomnia, and Behavioral health (e.g.,
pain
). Neuropsychological testing can assess concerns like ADHD, learning disability, memory complaints, or cognitive problems after stroke, brain injury, or other condition.
Megan Ferber
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PhD
Verified
Verified
As a therapist, my role is to help you reach your goals when it comes to feeling your best, however that looks. I have worked with a variety of individuals and couples around issues such as: depression, anxiety, communication issues, body and sexuality issues, and major life transitions. I have a passion for working with clients who are balancing new or chronic
illness
and those hoping to reconnect with their bodies while seeking weight loss, particularly the bariatric surgery population.
AJ Bostic
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, CD-PICD, PMH-C
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I believe that everyone deserves to be seen, no matter who you are, where you come from, where you work or what place you call home. I am focused on healing the community’s that I serve. I created a safe space for people to heal and make self-care a priority. I am dedicated to “Shattering the Silence” by encouraging community members to empower, uplift, inspire, motivate and support each other to break the silence and end the stigma about mental
illness
& mental healthcare. I look forward to being a helpful partner on your journey of healing, growth, learning and change. I will encourage you every step of the way.
Kate Early
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified
Verified
***CURRENTLY OPERATING A WAIT LIST FOR NEW PATIENTS****. My style of counseling blends deep emotional work with tangible, behavioral change. I have over 18 years and 18,000 hours of experience helping people of diverse backgrounds to navigate through dark times in their lives. I have REAL hope that people can overcome depression, calm anxiety, be transformed through grief, and find their peaceful center in the midst of over-stimulation and busyness. I love helping angry, estranged couples find connection and re-create intimacy. I enjoy helping people find psychological relief in the presence of physical
pain
.
Emily Hudson
Licensed Professional Counselor, ND, LPC
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with the state of Missouri. I received my Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology as well as a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in 2017. During my studies, I was a staff counselor at Bastyr University. In addition, I offered low cost therapy to the community at my year long internship at Seattle Therapy Alliance. I spent 4 years as a clinical fellow at Roots Renewal. I enjoy working with include adults and couples experiencing issues related to anxiety, depression, OCD, grief/loss, chronic
illness
, identity development, career, body image and self confidence.
Amy Studer
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified
Verified
Amy Studer (she/zir) has a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling and specializes in accessibility for those with disabilities, trauma,
chronic pain
, neurodivergence, and severe mental health diagnoses.
Our clients often identify as LGBTQIA+ / Queer, Non-monogamous, sex positive or sex neutral, neurodivergence, and or disabled and living within Missouri. Clients often start therapy to work on goals to learn more about identities, setting boundaries with others in their lives, opening up their relationship, learning more about themselves or others gender or sexual expression. Through individual, relationship, or family counseling we work to increase healthy communication based on our values, instead of assumed social norms.
Not accepting new clients
Rebekah Larson
MA, LPC, HTP-A
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
Healing Touch is an energy modality that can help reduce
pain
, anxiety, and stress, making space for well being, peace, and self wisdom.
*Working online only* A truth I have learned in my own life is that the human heart cannot heal on its own. Our hearts need the presence of another. Our emotions, spirit, and body are often speaking to us, which can be scary and confusing. Healing is a process that takes time, attunement, and courage. My desire is that my clients would feel emotionally safe and supported in therapy as they learn to heal themselves.
Cathy Luebbering
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
There may be unresolved losses, disappointments and
pain
showing up as
chronic pain
, headaches or low-level depression.
I work with those who are courageously facing
pain
and trauma in their lives. Perhaps you wonder if you can look at your own experiences... Maybe you fear being overwhelmed if you dare look. You may be thinking anxiety will overwhelm you. It need not be this way. Allow me to journey with you as you explore the questions tugging at you. You need not face them alone. Support is here; it is real. You CAN face these challenges, and you need not face them alone in the silence of your heart. Reach out now for the support you deserve.
Chester Smith
Licensed Professional Counselor, MEd, LPC
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Addressing sources of stress and emotional duress can lead to the reduction and/or better management of symptoms whether those symptoms are anxiety; depression; physical symptoms such as
chronic pain
, digestive disorders or other medical conditions; or behavioral issues of a child or adolescent.
With over 30 years in practice I have experience working with people of all ages with a range of conditions and concerns. People come to me to learn more about themselves and the source of their symptoms. It is though better understanding that we are able to heal and grow. My work with children/adolescents includes anxiety, adoption, depression, family issues, and behavioral problems. My work with adults includes chronic medical conditions, depression, anxiety, loss/grief, and relationship issues.
James P Ahearn
Licensed Professional Counselor, MEd, LPC, JD
Verified
5 Endorsed
Verified
5 Endorsed
In our humanness we carry so much
pain
and doubt, anger and grief, and every other emotion possible.
The clients I serve are often at a crossroads in their life story and unsure of how to close one chapter and begin anew. Clients I enjoy working with recognize that counseling continues outside of the session in self reflection, exploring behavior change, and shifting how we think and relate to ourselves. I find that counseling helps meet goals and needs as diverse as the client, and sometimes goals arise throughout the course of the relationship. No one needs a "good reason" to come to counseling, for the desire to reach out and try will always be sufficient.
The Candid Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor
Verified
Verified
I use a combination of solution focused and trauma informed approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy and EMDR, to treat a wide range of emotional and behavioral problems including
chronic pain
/
illness
, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, law enforcement and military issues, veterans, LGBTQ issues, sex abuse, substance abuse, trauma and PTSD.
Change is hard and we are only motivated to change when we become uncomfortable with our current situation. Change also requires risk, commitment and hard work; I am looking for clients who are ready to take tangible steps towards change, personal growth, and mental health improvement using a telehealth platform that allows you to remain in the safety and comfort of your own environment, with no time wasted for travel. I’m accepting clients who reside in Missouri and flexible scheduling is offered. Call or email me for a free consultation to see if I’d be a good fit for you and your mental health goals.
Valentina Penalba
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, LMFT
Verified
Verified
My focus is also on helping patients and their families who are impacted by a chronic
illness
such as cancer, cardiac conditions, diabetes, and dementia.
Sometimes, even when we know that something is wrong, we still need guidance in order to disentangle the problems that cause us suffering. Every problem has a solution and every difficult period can have a peaceful resolution. My therapeutic approach primarily stems from Family Systems Theory. I focus on emotional independence through individuation and help individuals, couples and families gain additional growth, strengths, and insights into their lives. I work on reducing negative communication patterns and installing love as an attachment bond.
Michael Deal
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified
Verified
Often these men benefit from education, support and their own counseling to address their experience and participation in the family member's
illness
.
When working with individuals, I aim to help them through a collaborative process to understand the underlying issues that are causing them to not live up to their potential. The model which I employ assumes that many of our struggles are connected to conflicts within us of which we are not completely aware. I feel that therapy is most effective when the entire person's personality and history are considered instead of just focusing on current problematic behaviors. My work focuses on recognizing long standing relationship patterns that are troublesome as well as developing a more emotionally stable and adaptive personality.
Master Mind Hypnosis
CCH
I've helped people to counter weight, smoking, the nausea of pregnancy and chemotherapy, dental and test-taking anxiety,
pain
associated with surgery, root canal treatment and childbirth, fear of flying and public speaking, compulsive hair-pulling; and intractable hiccups, among many other troublesome health problems.
"...hypnosis is not mind control. It's a naturally occurring state of concentration; It's actually a means of enhancing your control over both your mind and your body."
Dr. David Spiegel, Assoc. Chair of Psychiatry (Stanford University School of Medicine). Hypnosis is a powerful tool that helps people change behavior, improve emotional response and physical wellbeing. Through hypnosis, you can improve study habits, reduce stress and bost self-esteem...Wehn it is difficult to control appetite, sleep or stress, hypnosis will help you change in a positive way faster with more comfort.
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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.