Clinical Application of Novel Psychological Therapies for Chronic Pain

There is growing scientific and clinical recognition that mainstream psychological interventions for chronic pain (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy), although more effective than usual care and associated with few negative effects, have relatively limited clinical benefits. Innovative psychological treatments based on emerging neuroscientific models of pain have been recently developed and tested, with encouraging results for the pain clinician searching for more powerful therapies. A common theme of these new therapies is that they view the brain as the driving organ of most chronic pain, with treatment focusing on reducing patients’ fear and avoidance or pain and movement as well as negative emotions and stressful or traumatic experiences. The three speakers here are the lead developers and clinical trialists of three of these newer approaches: Pain Reprocessing Therapy (Dr. Yoni Ashar), Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (Dr. Mark Lumley), and Hybrid Exposure Therapy (Dr. Katja Boersma). Each speaker presents the rationale for the given therapeutic approach and supporting data and will focus on teaching attendees how these therapies are conducted, using case presentations, demonstrations, or video materials. Presenters will also examine the opportunities and challenges in implementing these approaches.

Faculty:

• Yoni Ashar
• Mark Lumley
• Katja Boersma