Chronic Pain Therapists in Olympia, WA
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Karen Kirsch
Counselor, MA, RSMT, CMA
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I have a special interest in working with individuals who are dealing with chronic
pain
and anyone who needs help with alignment, body mechanics or tailoring their exercise routines to their bodies.
I work within the modality of Somatic Movement Therapy and practice from the premise that body experience and movement hold a unique role in understanding and transforming human behavior. Sessions develop by directing clients awareness to sensation, impulse, movement and/or emotion in order to support physiological and neurological process. The pace and direction of this work is client led through verbal and nonverbal feedback. This approach is founded in developmental therapy, interpersonal neurobiology and attachment theory.
Josh Stabbert
Counselor, MA, LMHC
Verified
Verified
Some days the stress that comes with living with
chronic pain
can feel like you’re climbing a never-ending hill.
Feeling like you have to constantly push through just to make it through your day. The all too familiar experience of having to cancel plans you have because it feels like your mind and body are at war against you. This can make you feel powerless over it all and anxious thoughts of whether things will ever be different keep creeping into your head. You’ve tried every way to distract yourself so you don’t have to sit with this uncomfortable feeling and yet nothing seems to work. On top of it all, being told you have to learn to just live with it leaves you feeling like you have to figure it all out on your own. It’s exhausting.
Craig Smith
Pre-Licensed Professional, MA, MHCA
Verified
Verified
People might come to therapy because they are dissatisfied with where they are in life, or they feel maddened and drained by intrusive thoughts, or
pain
and loss in all its forms makes life feel intolerable and meaningless. Panic can make it diffuclt to focus. There might feel like an overwhelming amount of choices, and each choice with a host of pros and cons, with none of the choices standing out. Or the feeling of being trapped makes it difficult to see any choice at all. Often times it can feel as if time is working against us. Navigating one's own lives can feel overwhelming.
Megan Casebourn
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I hold a deep belief that we all have an enduring drive toward wholeness in the ways we attempt to manage life's events as they happen to us. As we grow up and older, the ways we learned to cope with those events often stop working for us. We hold onto those tactics because they are what we know how to do. What troubles us (fear, anxiety, depression, anger,
chronic pain
or
illness
- and more) is our coping strategies fail to prevent past traumas coming up in life again and again to haunt us. We can be free of those and experience happiness, peace of mind, and know what it is to have purpose and meaning.
Mukti Khanna
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
Have you ever wondered how you can become a more active participant in your own healthcare? Mind-Body Medicine Psychology can provide a biopsychosocial perspective to help alleviate individual and intergenerational trauma,
chronic pain
, depression, anxiety, spiritual emergence and other health related concerns. Learning to regulate your nervous system through mindfulness based practices, expressive arts therapy and energy psychology can decrease stress, enhance emotional well being and self care for both the person who has a health challenge and their caregivers or family members.
Tracy Kenela
Counselor, MA, LMHC, CRC, CEDS, ACHT
Verified
Verified
Lokahi Counseling helps individuals, couples and families discover how they see themselves functioning in the world, explore their inner
pain
, and learn how to move toward positive, life changes.
My counseling practice is structured toward treating each person as individuals. When I treat people who struggle with eating and body image issues and related challenges with anxiety, depression and relationships, every person is treated with their own, individual needs in mind. Treatment modalities range from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mind-Body Therapy (MBCT), Energetic work using Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Hypnotherapy and Subtle Energy work. Additionally, I provide individual, couples and family therapy for work-related support (including Career and Rehabilitation counseling) and troubled relationships.
Mike Pereira
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LICSWA, MHP
Verified
Verified
*Accepting new clients* The journey to healing begins with a desire to feel better. Together, we’ll work to discover what “better” looks like and what can be done to achieve it. There are many ways life shows us we are stuck in our own story; addiction, depression, anxiety, anger and many other indicators can be present when we’re experiencing such
pain
. How did we get here? How do we get out? What are we holding onto? Who can we not let go?
Waitlist for new clients
Abrea Anderson
Counselor, MA, LMHC
Verified
Verified
I am committed to helping you face your challenges, whether they be stress, anxiety, difficult relationships, faith-based or spiritual concerns, grief, a life transition, school hardships, or a chronic
illness
.
Waitlist option for daytime availability. My therapeutic approach is strength-based, client-centered, and integrative with the belief that we have the innate ability to heal, grow, and seek greater meaning in life. I see each individual as unique, whole, and inherently good. I believe therapy is an interactive relationship between you and me. My approach prioritizes authenticity, trust, and empathy as the foundation for effective therapy. Our first step is defining what brought you to pursue counseling. Then, we will look at the the difficulties you are facing and collaborate on a plan that is specific and unique for your situation.
Jean Madrone Lynch-Thomason
SEP, RH
1 Endorsed
1 Endorsed
Do you want to feel more grounded and engaged with the world around you? Are you looking for resolution and integration of past and current experience rather than continuing to cope? Do you need support managing stress in your life? I offer somatic experiencing trauma resolution therapy and holistic herbal medicine to support resilience and nervous system regulation, with a focus on attachment, healing from stress and trauma, chronic
illness
, autoimmune conditions, developmental and complex trauma, and support for grounding, connection, and embodiment.
Judith Frost
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LICSW
Verified
Verified
You don't need to continue to feel this
pain
.
This is a no shame, no blame zone where you will be heard. If you ask yourself "what's wrong with me" or hear it from others, it's the wrong question. The right question is "what has happened to you?" Trauma and grief reactions are normal human responses, not pathological diagnoses. But no one is born knowing how to deal with them- not you, not your best friend. Asking for help is the first step to healing. I'm a seasoned Grief Therapist, Certified Trauma Professional and EFT (Tapping) Expert who will collaborate with you to help you clear away the chaos to a more peaceful, productive life. Good therapy works. Give a call now.
Waitlist for new clients
Annie Scanlon Sawyer
Counselor, LMHC, CMHS
Verified
Verified
Hi, and welcome to my profile! I have been working in the mental health field for over a decade and treat a wide variety of presenting concerns, including ADHD, particularly ADHD in women; anxiety; depression; specific phobias; OCD; PTSD/trauma; life transitions; and perinatal mental health including infertility, miscarriage/pregnancy loss, traumatic birth experiences, neonatal loss and
illness
(including NICU experiences) and adjusting to parenthood. I see adults of all ages but have extensive experience working with older teens, young adults and women, addressing some of the unique concerns that these populations face.
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Amy Lennon Riggio
Counselor, LMHCA, LGBTQIA
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
[Ideally, please click "Website" tab and use our Contact Form.] My practice is focused on individual adults age 21 and older. I work with the queer community, transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, the ethically non-monogamous and the kink community, substance use issues, those struggling to manage depression or anxiety, and clients whose issues stem from PTSD, trauma, or grief. Giving witness and presence to
pain
helps facilitate a space in which people can heal. I am HAES (Health At Every Size) informed. I believe we all have what we need within us - we just need those qualities recognized, called forth, and polished.
Elliott McMurray
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LSWAIC
Verified
Verified
I am a trauma-informed practitioner and have experience working with adults and elders on a variety of concerns, including life transitions and stress, traumatic experiences, toxic and abusive relationships, chronic
illness
and disability, gender, sexuality, anxiety, and depression. As a person-centered practitioner, I believe that recovery is possible and that you know yourself best. I work to create an environment of unconditional acceptance as we work together to explore what's unresolved, unbalanced, and causing
pain
in your life. I draw from several evidence-based practices to provide individualized treatment to every client.
Jess Piper
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LSWAIC
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Has your life been impacted by health issues? Do you love or care for someone with health issues? Are you an overwhelmed caregiver? Are you feeling stuck? If this sounds like you, hi, I am Jess. I am a medical therapist that specializes in working with people who are diagnosed with a serious or chronic
illness
and their caregivers. Health issues & caregiving can take a toll on you physically and emotionally. In my 5 years in healthcare I have learned that people impacted by health issues need a place where the disease is not their identity where they can share their emotions & get guidance from someone who understands.
Laura Fore
Counselor, MA, LMHC, MHP
Verified
Verified
Welcome! My name is Laura Fore. I have a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling with a License as a Mental Health Counselor. I provide individual and family/couple counseling services at a private practice in Lacey, Washington. Please contact me and we can discuss how counseling can be the support you need to overcome challenges and attain your goals. Telemedicine not for you? I’m available for in-person services.
Jason Mills
Counselor, LMHC
Verified
Verified
This is Jason Mills but feel free to call him Jase. He has been serving Lewis, Thurston and Mason counties for the last 5 years. he has a BA from the University of West Georgia and Walden University a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling. He has worked with multiple ages and populations in a variety of diagnoses. He has an integrated counseling approach and meets everybody where they are at in their lives. He believes in the wholeness of the person and things in our life breaks the balance in our biopsychosocial model. He is mostly seeing clients in person at the Olympia office.
Karen M Buckley
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW, ACSW, OSW-C
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I provide Clinical Consultation for Clinicians, Supervision for professionals seeking License Hours as well as Mental Health Counseling & Adoption Home Studies. My website provides more information on all of these services including my expertise, training & focus. With every service I aim to provide a comfortable, safe & non-judgmental experience. This is imperative to help support you in your growth. I enjoy working with everyone regardless, of race, color, creed, ethnicity, religion, spiritual practice, age or sexual orientation.
Not accepting new clients
Sylo Cermak
Counselor, LMHCA, NCC
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Most of us carry around stories about who we are and who we should be without really knowing how we got them or if we want to keep them. Therapy is a place to gently explore and unpack these narratives. My clients want to like and understand themselves more, have better relationships, and feel more hope and possibility in their lives. They are determined and brave, but often have been trying things that aren't working or leave them more stuck. I believe every person has an innate capacity to heal, but sometimes trauma and life experiences can block those pathways and make life feel narrow and small.
Shanna Fletcher
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I am a very compassionate, positive person and love working as a Marriage and Family Therapist. I am available to work with couples, families, and individuals (children, adolescents, teens, and adults) with a wide variety of needs.
Adalyne Fettig
MA, AASP
If you notice yourself struggling with a specific area of your performance, such as confidence, focus, leadership, resilience, consistency, or you’re trying to generally grow and improve areas of your life, or even working through change, our work together will be transformative. I am a Mental Skills Consultant, meaning our focus together will be directed at improving your life through mentality in an Evidence-Based practice. It will not be clinical or focused on disorders, however, I will provide tools and support to manage, prevent, and cope with many disorders if needed.
See more therapy options for
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.