Counseling for Women Living with Chronic Pain in Cary & throughout NC
Rediscover enjoyment & peace.
Has a chronic pain changed everything?
You can’t think straight. The stress, anxiety, and depression that have come from the pain take a toll and have almost destroyed you. You can’t get around as easily as before, which makes it hard to take care of your kids, work, or to social events. It feels isolating and has wrecked many relationships, as no-one seems to understand. Sleep is elusive, as pain keeps you up or the medicine you take makes sleep restless and unsatisfying. You know your symptoms are real, but you feel dismissed by the medical community. The doubt is so loud. “Is God real?” “Is He good?” “Does He love me?” You may feel bitterness toward God. Your prayer life and devotional times suffer. Detached from your pre-pain life, you aren’t sure you’ll ever get it back. Counseling for chronic pain can help.
How Chronic Pain Affects Your Mental and Emotional Health:
Depression
Anxiety
Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
Feelings of worthlessness & guilt
Loneliness & isolation
Struggles with concentration
Have Any Questions? Send Us A Message!
Grieve your diagnosis
Learn how to live in the present
Tolerate, and come to enjoy, social activities
Engage in self care
Learn to cope with unhelpful advice & expectations
Meet your suffering with kindness rather than condemnation
Allow for both the joy & sorrow of life
Learn how to adapt & find a new normal
counseling can help YOU LEARN TO COPE, EVEN THRIVE, WHEN FACING CHRONIC pain.
Over time, therapy will help you grieve the changes in your body, change your relationship to your pain, & create a new normal.
chronic pain counselors
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Pat Lawson | Holistic Counselor
Women
trauma | ministry leaders & helping professionals | crises of faith | chronic illness/pain | anxiety | depression | grief & loss | relationships
Pat understands that living with chronic pain can be physically exhausting, emotionally draining, and deeply isolating. When pain begins to shape your identity, limit your relationships, or make everyday tasks feel overwhelming, she offers a place to process both the visible and invisible losses that often accompany it. Through a compassionate, whole-person approach, Pat helps women navigate the emotional impact of chronic pain, strengthen resilience, and find renewed purpose and hope without allowing pain to define who they are.
imagine if you…
Accept your body
Find meaning & hope
Feel heard, seen, & less alone
Reengage with the people & things you enjoy
rediscover a life of meaning and joy
A Holistic Approach to Chronic Pain Counseling in Cary, NC
A holistic approach incorporates mental, physical, spiritual, and social practices to both prevent symptoms and cope with them when they arise. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness are especially helpful for chronic pain.
We’ll work together to develop a strong self-care routine to prevent and cope with symptoms. This includes mindfulness and self compassion practices, journaling, movement, nutrition, social connectivity, and spiritual practices. We’ll teach breathing practices and other grounding techniques to help your nervous system become less reactive.
We’ll also work together to develop a repertoire of coping strategies for when you have symptoms. This includes understanding how activators affect your thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and actions. You’ll learn new ways to interact with your symptoms. You will make connections with possible trauma and past experiences that may have activated your symptoms. If desired, you’ll have faith-based coping tools as well, such as scriptures, affirmations, and prayer. Rather than beating yourself up, you’ll develop kindness and compassion toward yourself.
Each counseling session will leave you with new and tangible skills to help you feel empowered to cope with chronic illness and pain.
faqs
Common questions about chronic pain counseling
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We offer therapy to people with a vast range of chronic pain, from IBS to fibromyalgia & migraines (and more!). We also work with many clients who are still trying to determine the cause of their symptoms.
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There is no timeline for chronic pain counseling. It’s a personal journey. Just being seen and heard during our time together will help you feel less burdened and more free. Over time you will become more empowered to cope with symptoms rather than being defined by them.
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Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy as well as Acceptance and Commitment are effective ways to treat struggles with chronic pain.
These methods help you become more present and change your relationship with your symptoms. They also help your body reprocess pain signals.
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Give us a call, fill out a contact form, or schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation with our Care Coordinator. We’ll talk on the phone and get a better understanding of your needs and determine if we’re a good fit.
Learn More About Chronic Pain Therapy
i’m just not sure if i should move forward with counseling
Common barriers for women seeking chronic pain therapy
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We offer both Telehealth sessions as well as in-person sessions at our Cary office. If getting out of the house is difficult, don’t hesitate to schedule Telehealth sessions!
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Counseling for chronic pain is another appointment; however, it will empower you to better function at all of your other appointments and in life in general. Think about it as the one appointment we care about all of you, not just your physical symptoms.
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You’re right! Therapy isn’t going to take away your pain; however, it will help you process the way it affects your life and change your relationship with your pain.
WE want you to know:
You don’t have to suffer in silence.
We are chronic pain counseling specialists. It’s time to process your new reality and create a new normal.