Chronic pain therapy in London
Can CBT help when pain is persistent?
CBT for chronic pain does not claim to remove pain; it changes your relationship with it, reducing the fear, avoidance and low mood that pain feeds and that feed pain back, so more of life becomes possible alongside it. Acceptance and commitment approaches help you act on what matters rather than wait for pain to lift. At The Lyceum, Sanah Younis, a BABCP-accredited CBT therapist, delivers this in Chiswick, Ealing and Richmond, or online. CBT complements medical care for pain; it does not replace it. Persistent pain can narrow activity, mood and confidence. Assessment considers the pain context, current medical care, fear-avoidance, pacing and whether CBT and acceptance-based principles can be useful alongside medical support. Does this sound familiar? Life has started to shrink around pain and the fear of a flare. Avoidance, frustration or low mood are adding another layer of difficulty. You are waiting for pain to lift before allowing yourself to return to what matters. The signed approach uses CBT and acceptance-based principles: values-based activity, reducing fear-avoidance, pacing and work with mood. It complements, and never replaces, appropriate medical care. What could become more possible More ability to act on what matters alongside pain. A less dominant fear-avoidance loop. How we measure progress Measures may be used alongside assessment to understand the pattern and its impact. They do not diagnose you or replace a conversation about safety, history and current support. GAD-7 alongside A pain measure if clinically used. New, severe, unexplained or changing physical symptoms need appropriate medical assessment. CBT complements medical care for pain; it does not replace it. They arrive carrying a profound exhaustion. Often, they have put their joy on hold, waiting for the pain to subside before they allow themselves to live fully. I see a client whose suffering is amplified by the exhausting effort to fight the physical sensations. The beautiful turning point happens when we shift our focus. Instead of the impossible goal of eliminating the pain, we work collaboratively to expand their life around it, rediscovering meaning and vitality alongside the physical reality.
Practical questions
How long does CBT for chronic pain take?
The pace and scope are set through assessment. Where focused work or a formal review is appropriate, this is agreed collaboratively rather than assumed from a page.
How much does chronic pain therapy cost in London?
Published fees are £110 for online appointments and £140 for face-to-face sessions. Current availability, practical arrangements and funding options can be discussed before booking. View fees and funding information.
Frequently asked questions
Does CBT mean the pain is all in my head?
No. CBT does not dismiss the physical reality of pain. It can address the fear, avoidance and low mood that may add to its impact.
Can CBT replace medical care?
No. CBT complements medical care for pain and is not a substitute for assessment of new, severe, unexplained or changing symptoms.
Can CBT help with fibromyalgia?
CBT and acceptance-based principles can be considered alongside appropriate medical care for fibromyalgia-related pain. The work can explore pacing, fear-avoidance, mood and values-based activity; it does not replace medical assessment or claim to remove pain.
What is pain pacing?
Pain pacing is the antidote to the "boom and bust" cycle, where you push yourself far too hard on a "good" day, only to crash and withdraw for days afterward. We work to establish a sustainable baseline of activity that doesn't trigger a flare-up. Alongside your appropriate medical care, this CBT strategy allows you to safely rebuild your stamina and reclaim your routines without constantly fearing the next crash.
Is chronic pain therapy saying the pain is psychological?
No. CBT does not dismiss the physical reality of pain. It can address fear, avoidance and low mood that may add to pain’s impact, while keeping clear that new, severe, unexplained or changing symptoms need appropriate medical assessment.
Can CBT replace medical care for chronic pain?
No. CBT complements appropriate medical care for pain and is not a substitute for medical assessment. The work can focus on the relationship with pain, activity, mood and avoidance alongside the medical support a person needs.