Chronic Pain Program

The program is based on a range of evidence-based therapies, in particular, drawing from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.  Sessions are facilitated by the multidisciplinary team, including a Health Psychologist, Exercise Physiologist, Psychiatrist and Pain Specialist.  

In a group therapy setting, patients will:

• Develop an understanding of chronic pain and its impact from a biopsychosocial perspective.
• Develop  and practice adaptive coping strategies for pain and emotional distress.
• Learn the concepts of behavioural activation and pacing.
• Develop and work toward value driven goals.
• Learn techniques to manage unhelpful thoughts which exacerbate negative experience.
• Understand the relationship between depression and/or anxiety and pain.
• Improve communication and social support, including conflict resolution.
• Address grief and loss.
• Reduce the functional and emotional impact of chronic pain.
• Participate in therapeutic  outings, including hydrotherapy.

The program requires a 13 day admission and offers therapy groups three times daily (weekdays).  General therapy groups, including those available to carers, are also offered on a Saturday.