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Therapy & CounsellingTo Help Cope With Chronic Pain & Illness

What is chronic pain?: Pain is an essential biological function that signals stress or damage in the body, prevents further harm through overuse of the afflicted area. However, with chronic pain, there are no longer signals that indicate damage to the body and instead present a detriment to the physical and psychological well-being of the sufferer

These types of conditions with persistent pain symptoms are ones that last for a long time. They usually cannot be cured, only managed, and can last from 6-12 months to a lifetime. Examples of chronic illnesses are diabetes, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), arthritis, back pain and migraines.

Chronic pain can stem from chronic illness, but it also refers to any long-lasting pain, in any part of the body, ranging from mild to debilitating. Some types of chronic pain can have a psychological source (for example, stress may make your muscles tense, leading to chronic headaches).

These types of pain and illness conditions can affect everything from your sleep, exercise and eating habits to your job, your mood and your relationships. They are also risk factors for mental health issues like depression, anxiety and even suicide.

Therapy Modalities That Deal Chronic Pain & Illness

What to expect from therapy for bereavement, grief & loss: Some types of body-oriented psychotherapy, alongside mindfulness therapy techniques like meditation, may help with your physical symptoms. Some people with chronic pain have found that therapy modalities like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) have worked for them to help deal with their issues.

We want you to feel able to discuss any questions or worries with your therapist. This is important in order for you to progress in your therapy.

***If you feel you need some help with getting therapy contact us using the form at the bottom of this page and someone will guide you through the process.***

These are some of the additional therapy issues we deal with that are closely related to chronic pain and illness.

Therapists & Counsellors Working With Chronic Pain & illness at HQ Therapy

If you are suffering from long term pain or illness, talking therapy can help you to deal with its psychological effects, manage your symptoms, and integrate and accept your reality. There are social aspects to chronic conditions too, like discrimination, stereotypes and access barriers, and therapy can help you manage those aspects of your life.

Below is a selection of our current therapists and counsellors who are fully trained to work with clients experiencing chronic pain and illness using different types of therapy modalities and a wide range of techniques.

Choosing the right therapist is an important decision for you and it is important that you work with the right practitioner and that both feel comfortable working together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should I Seek Therapy For Chronic Pain & Illness?

Many people, new to this type of help, believe that they need to be suffering from “mental illness” or serious “psychological problems”, or be in crisis in order for therapy and counselling to be appropriate for them. This is a common misconception; anyone can benefit from therapy when it comes to helping you deal with your personal feelings and problems, make positive changes in your life, and understand yourself better.

So what is therapy and counselling? If you’re new to this world then the first steps can sometimes be the most difficult. Therapy can be a very effective treatment for a whole range of personal problems covering areas from physical and emotional problems, different types of behavioural disorders, through to human sexuality issues and a host of wellbeing and complementary therapy techniques.

Any problem you have that is causing you concern, anxiety or distress is a valid and appropriate reason to reach out and find a therapist and talk to them about it. Far from something to be ashamed of, acknowledging your vulnerability and asking for help is a sign of maturity and strength.

If you feel that you have a desire and are committed to making changes in your life in order to overcome your current problems and achieve more long-term satisfaction, psychological wellbeing and personal fulfilment, then you are ready to seek therapy. We are here to help you work through a wide range of therapy issues that might be troubling you.

Will Information About Me Be Safe & Secure?

It is quite normal to be hesitant when it comes to sharing private and intimate information about yourself with a stranger. You may fear that you will receive judgment from your therapist, or that your therapist will share your details with others.

HQ Therapy Rooms takes your privacy and confidentiality very seriously. Our therapists are required to keep everything said in therapy sessions between you, just like your doctor is required to keep your records private.

For therapy to be effective, there must be unconditional trust built between you and your therapist, and this relies on a shared understanding of confidentiality. It applies to the outside world as well: it is standard practice for therapists not to acknowledge their clients if they run into them outside of the therapy rooms in order to help protect their client’s confidentiality. Read our full privacy policy for more information.

Can I Contact You For Advice About Getting Therapy?

Talking about your thoughts and feelings with a supportive therapist can often make you feel better and help you face your problems. It feels good to be listened to and to know that someone cares about you and wants to help. It is important that you find a therapist with whom you feel comfortable and can build a trusting relationship to help you make positive changes in your life.

But how do you know what type of therapy is right for you? Taking the first steps in finding the right therapist can be the biggest hurdle for newcomers, so we have made it easy. Simply get in touch with us using the form below or give us a call at 0203 997 9229 and one of our fully qualified referral therapists can work with you to make sure you connect with the right practitioner and receive the correct therapy and counselling services you require.

However, if you feel you are ready to start therapy straight away then click HERE to book an initial therapy assessment with a fully qualified therapist, or if you are struggling financially click HERE to book an initial therapy assessment with one of our Low-Cost therapists.

Our practitioners deal with a wide range of therapy issues using different types of therapy modalities tailored to the types of clients we work with. We also cater for people who are beset with financial difficulties, offering them services ranging from low-cost therapy and reduced-rate therapy to working with seasoned, qualified and accredited talking therapists.