Chronic Pain Therapists in Charlottesville, VA
See all therapists in CharlottesvilleWaitlist for new clients
Lynessa Sheppard Plotnick
Marriage & Family Therapist, LPC, LMFT
Verified
Verified
More about specialties: I work with children 18 months and up; specialize in working with children and adult children of alcoholics, patients with
chronic pain
, patients experiencing depression and or anxiety, patients with ADHD, couples and whole families.
I believe in the human spirit and our capacity to make positive changes in all aspects of our lives, even in the face of adversity. By exploring our thought patterns, we can better identify feelings that affect our actions on a daily basis. We can then make effective changes that improve the quality of our lives, decreasing stress, anxiety, and depression and providing us with a more peaceful and joyful life. I also believe in the benefit of human interaction with other loving creatures; you will meet my little Yorkie-Poo therapy partner, Mojo, when you come to visit me. He loves children and adults.
Not accepting new clients
April Bennett
Licensed Professional Counselor, EdS, LPC
Verified
Verified
Accompaniment matters. Relationships transform. We sit together to access the health that is at the center of every human being, even when one of us can’t feel it. We sit because healing happens in relationship, access to true self is made easier in the presence of another person’s settled nervous system, and because your healing matters for the health of all of us. Whether you are facing overwhelm, anger, a frozen feeling, compulsions, depression, trauma, anxiety, or facing other difficult experience, we can touch it with awareness and respect. Our experience includes joy, includes
pain
, and includes connection and compassion.
Waitlist for new clients
Jenny Pfeiffer
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified
10 Endorsed
Verified
10 Endorsed
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Life Coach. My approach to therapy is to help clients identify, understand, and ultimately change the areas in their lives that have contributed to emotional and relationship
pain
. I deeply believe that to have the breakthrough we need in current relationships we must understand our history and how it profoundly colors and impacts us as adults. Once we learn to own our history, it no longer owns us.
Nicole Moriarty: Trauma Resolution Energy Therapy
Licensed Professional Counselor, MS , LPC, LPCC
Verified
Verified
It's time to change how we think about healing from mental
illness
.
Does is feel like anxiety and depression are taking over your life? Are you fighting that powerless feeling, trying to hold on to hope, determined to find some way out of that trap? You may already know where it all started or you may have no answers to the "why's". I can help you find, name and clear out the roots of your suffering. Once the roots are cleared, you will find that change is easy and natural. Clients tell me that it sometimes feels like a miracle, but the power of this therapy is rooted in science. It is simply working with an understanding of how memories are held in our bodies and subconscious mind.
Thomas Paulus
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
We all have suffering in our lives-- it's part of human experience. Too often, however, there is a layer of unnecessary psychological
pain
caused by unconscious defenses. We often resist painful feelings and the realities they point to. When this happens chronically we can get stuck in our resistance, becoming emotionally and physically sick. So our suffering increases. I work together with patients to build and/or embrace their capacity to honestly and compassionately face, untangle, and accept truths they can no longer resist.
Jessica Bayne
Licensed Professional Counselor, BA, MEd, LPC
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I specialize in helping my clients through issues such as traumatic experiences, depression, anxiety, relational issues, career stress/burnout, severe mental
illness
, & other life challenges.
Are you struggling with your overall mental wellbeing? Do you feel overwhelmed, lost, stressed or having difficulties coping with your symptoms of depression, anxiety and/or trauma related symptoms? Have you tried therapy in the past and not seen the progress you were expecting? If you are in need of a supportive, knowledgeable, and understanding therapist to help you make the progress you would like to make, please let me know how I can help! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of VA. Book an appointment at jmariespsychotherapy.clientsecure.me/
Beverly Morgan-Fullilove
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I have been an LCSW for over 40 years. I'm proficient at helping adults who may be experiencing depression, anxiety, PTSD, adjustment to aging, trauma,
chronic pain
or
illness
, divorce issues, or recovering from loss due to death. I also excel at providing therapy for seniors experiencing a variety of issues that commonly accompany the aging process. In addition to being an LCSW in Virginia, I am also credentialed as an LCSW in the state of Louisiana. I'm excited to help you on your healing journey and look forward to hearing from you soon!
Clare Venus
Psychologist, PhD, CDE, LCP
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Are you experiencing a crisis in your life, feeling overwhelmed and struggling to cope? Dealing with a major life transition, physical
illness
or caregiver stress? I have worked with people who suffer with depressed mood, persistent anxiety, chronic
illness
,
pain
and disability. These emotional and physical stressors can result in considerable disruption in relationships and work life balance. As a Licensed Psychologist I utilize a variety of therapeutic approaches that promote healing and change. I welcome clients from all backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities and sexual orientations.
Not accepting new clients
Vivian M. Rodriguez Archilla
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
I am a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of the Center for Mind+Body Health. My practice specializes in health psychology or behavioral medicine. This means that I have specific training in helping adults cope and adjust to chronic
illness
, with particular expertise in working with cancer patients and their family members, and helping individuals make significant health-related behavioral changes to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I also work with adults experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, sleep problems, and
chronic pain
, among other issues.
Ronald Brill
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
Specialty includes combined Psychotherapy and Neurofeedback for a wide variety of problems. Neurofeedback trains voluntary control over mood states, sleep states, cognitive functioning,
chronic pain
and many autonomic symptoms. The process of conceptualizing problems from different perspectives and planning changes needed, along with Neurofeedback to change actual brain function, often brings about rapid positive change, and enables reduction or even elimination of psychotropic medications.
Waitlist for new clients
Arminda Cheshier-Perch
Pre-Licensed Professional, MSW, MBA
Verified
Verified
Perhaps you feel like you’ve got it together, except inside, where you feel stuck, stressed, anxious, burned out, depressed or overwhelmed. Yet, there's a part of you that longs for a change because you've noticed that what’s happening to you on the inside is influencing your mood and function on the outside. Your story may include experiences of trauma, loss, overwork, mistreatment, dysfunction,
illness
,
pain
, spiritual struggles, or similar experiences, and you want the needs of your mind, body, and spirit to be met. Searching for a counselor is one of the many brave steps you are taking, and I congratulate you for seeking help.
Not accepting new clients
Deborah Sinek
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Can you use your mind to reduce your suffering, rather than increase it? Or to increase meaning and depth in your life? You can, but most people need a little help with this. Sometimes a sympathetic family member or wise friend can help a great deal; other times when a knowledgeable, compassionate professional is a better choice. Perhaps your internal life feels out of control, or you're feeling stuck, repeating ineffective patterns of relating to yourself and others. I work with people to help them understand themselves and their situation, manage stress better, and make positive changes happen.
Waitlist for new clients
Angela Green
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, CCTP
Verified
8 Endorsed
Verified
8 Endorsed
As a trauma-informed therapist, I am passionate about helping my clients shed their burdens and feel more empowered in their lives. I believe each of us has innate healing powers that that can become overcome by trauma, leaving us feeling stuck, frozen, or in states of panic. I typically blend EMDR with experiential, somatic, and mindfulness techniques. Using these approaches, I will provide you with practical tools to cope with and overcome the issues you are experiencing, while also helping to heal the underlying causes of those issues.
Janine I Russell
PNP, MSN, RN
Verified
Verified
Sometimes we come to a place along our path where we realize what we've been doing is no longer serving purpose and we are ready to manifest a change for ourselves. This often takes some courage to make this decision as well as seeking some help. If you find that you are ready for a change in your life, I can help.
Not accepting new clients
Claire Hopkins
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, EdS, LPC
Verified
Verified
As a counselor, I understand that trauma occurs at any age, in many different forms. It can be overt, in the case of physical abuse and death; ambiguous, in the form of divorce, break-ups, peer pressure, bullying and the impact of social media. It can also be entirely hidden from our consciousness. Counseling is a way to approach and connect with trauma in a safe place. It is a way to help yourself heal.
Kellie Cannon
Resident in Counseling, MA, RIC
Verified
Verified
As a resident in counseling, my approach is to meet you where you are, empower you to create goals, and I will provide you with support along the way. Counseling is all about you and what you need.
Claudia Lineweaver
Licensed Professional Counselor, PhD, LPC
Verified
Verified
Do you focus on everyone else's needs except your own? Do you find it difficult to put yourself as a priority, always putting your children, work, spouse, parents, friends, or family above your own needs and concerns?
Do you struggle with being self-critical and a perfectionist? Has this ever resulted in symptoms of depression, anxiety, compulsive overeating, exhaustion, and/or alcohol abuse in your life?
Waitlist for new clients
Megan Stocker Headley
Counselor, LMHC, LPC, RYT
Verified
Verified
Do you feel chronically disconnected or stuck in unhelpful patterns despite "knowing better"? This misalignment might be affecting your physical health, your relationships, your sense of self, and your visions for the future. While many of the strategies you relied upon in early life were both necessary and adaptive, they can also become what hold you back later in life. What if we explore some of your origin stories and update those defaults to better reflect who you are, instead of who you believed you had to be? What if we deepen your self-belonging, thereby strengthening your capacity to connect more effortlessly with others?
Cynthia Starnes
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I have extensive experience supporting clients who suffer from trauma-related disorders, including intimate partner violence, childhood abuse/sexual abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and loss and grief issues. We will work together as partners in your treatment, developing a plan to process your trauma and move from the role of victim to that of a strong and successful survivor. I also have experience working with clients who have other anxiety-related disorders and now offer online sessions via HIPAA compliant, secure, easy to use platform. Easy online scheduling.
Leigh Freilich, LCSW
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I am an EMDRIA-certified therapist with 15+ years of experience serving individuals and families in Charlottesville. I operate from a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach and incorporate interventions from the following therapeutic modalities, depending on the client's goals for therapy and presenting issues: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, expressive arts therapies.
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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.