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Chronic Pain Psychology Service

Doctor supporting older person with hand on shoulder

What is the Pain Management Psychology Service?

We are a specialist psychology support service for patients under the care of Whittington Health, who are experiencing chronic or persistent pain. We can only see people who have been assessed and referred by the Pain Consultant or pain physiotherapists at the Whittington Pain Clinic based in Whittington Hospital. The service is generally recommended for people who have completed all their investigations into the medical cause of their pain.
 
Psychologists specialise in understanding behaviour, thoughts, and feelings. Persistent pain can influence our behaviour (we feel less able to do things), our thinking (we tend to have more negative thoughts or low confidence) and feelings (we may feel low, anxious, or angry). All those reactions are perfectly normal and common responses to experiencing pain but can unfortunately also have a negative impact on life.
 
The aim of the service is not to cure or ‘fix’ pain. Your psychologist will work by helping you understand how pain is caused and how to make changes to cope with pain, reduce stress, and improve quality of life.
 
We strive to be an inclusive and respectful service in which everyone is welcome. Our psychology team have experience of working with individuals with a diverse range of backgrounds, life experiences, perspectives, and priorities. We commit to adapting our input to support our service users and to meet the needs of people whose voices are often marginalised. We can be flexible in offering remote attendance options (video) and are able to arrange interpreters if needed.

What is Chronic or Persistent Pain?

Chronic or persistent pain is pain which has lasted more than three months.
Psychology input can help you with the following:

  • Low mood and anxiety in relation to pain.
  • Grief in relation to a chronic pain diagnosis.
  • Trauma linked to experience of pain.
  • Low confidence.
  • Adjusting to decreased mobility.
  • Difficulties with relationships.
  • Reduced quality of life due to chronic pain.

What support can I receive?

Support can be offered via our Pain Management Group programme (see details below) or 1:1 input. Current approaches include ACT, CFT, CBT, person-centred and narrative approaches.


Pain Management Program
 
  • 12 session group run jointly by Psychology and Physiotherapy.
  • Sessions run for 2 1/2 hours, weekly for 12 weeks (currently online).
  • Groups run twice a year – starting in February and October.
  • Aims to develop skills and knowledge to help you deal with and manage your pain.
  • You have the opportunity to meet other people in similar situations to you, to learn from each other, and make supportive connections with others.

Individual 1:1 Pain Management Psychology
 
  • 8 one to one sessions with a psychologist.
  • Variable weekly or fortnightly sessions.
  • Can be face to face, or online, depending on preference and availability.
  • Aims are flexible depending on your specific needs and goals.

Is Psychology the right service for me?

If you are ready and motivated to make changes in your life, we are here to support you. To attend psychology sessions, you will need to be willing to try new things and consider new perspectives. We understand that pain can be unpredictable and can get in the way of many things, including attending appointments. If you miss multiple appointments, then it is unlikely that you will benefit from the support. Therefore, we ask for a commitment during your sessions with us.

How to get referred to the Chronic Pain Psychology team

You can be referred by your Pain Consultant or pain management physiotherapists from the Whittington Pain Clinic.

What happens after I am referred?

Once we receive your referral, you will be invited to attend a one-off 1 hour workshop (currently online) where you can receive more information about the pain management psychology service to give you a chance to consider if it is right for you just now.
 
After the workshop, you will then be asked to 'opt-in' to the service.
 
  • If you decide to 'opt-out' or not respond, you will be discharged from the service, but you can be referred again in the future as long as you are under the care of Whittington Pain Clinic.
  • If you 'opt-in', a member of our team will give you a brief phone call to get a better understanding of your pain and individual circumstances. They will support you to decide whether the Pain Management Program or 1:1 individual support is best for you.

Further information

What Our Patients Say

What Our Patients Say
“It helped me understand a lot of issues I had hidden and also how to deal with them especially the pain I get on a daily basis – my emotions have a lot to do with it which I have come to understand a lot better.”

“It really helped me understand the ramifications of serious chronic pain. It helped me understand and hopefully alter (actually have begun to) the negative patterns… all in all it was one of the best things I have ever done and has really helped me and for that I am very grateful.”
Last updated10 Jul 2025
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