Chronic pain therapy is not about proving your pain is "all in your head." Your pain is real. Therapy helps your brain and nervous system feel safer, so pain takes up less space in your life. Your first session is a conversation, not a test, and you don't need the perfect words to begin.
I'm Beth Freese (she/her), a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona, Connecticut, and Oregon. I'm a trauma therapist trained in Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), and I specialize in chronic pain management. I see clients in person in Phoenix and by telehealth across all three states.
What is chronic pain therapy?
Chronic pain therapy is counseling that looks at how pain, stress, and your nervous system affect each other.
It doesn't replace your doctor, physical therapist, or medication. It works alongside them.
Pain is processed in the brain. When your body has been on high alert for a long time, the brain can stay braced for danger, and that bracing can make pain louder. Therapy gives that alarm system a chance to settle.
Therapy for chronic pain can help with:
Fear and dread around flare-ups
The exhaustion of pushing through every single day
Grief about the life you had before pain
Noticing when your body is bracing, before it spirals
Resting without guilt
Does therapy actually help with chronic pain?
Many people find that therapy changes their relationship with pain, even when the pain itself doesn't fully go away. Researchers have studied how psychological approaches affect pain and daily life. I can't promise a specific result, and I'd be wary of anyone who does.
What I can say is this: pain and stress feed each other. When stress drops, a lot of people notice more room to breathe, sleep, and enjoy their lives again.
"Therapy doesn't work for me." Why I hear this so often:
In my work with clients, this is one of the most common things people tell me in our first conversation. Most of the people I work with have tried therapy before. Some went for years. Nothing really stuck.
I believe them. And I don't think it means they're broken or "bad at therapy." What I often see in my practice is that past therapy helped people understand their pain, but it didn't change how their body felt. You can know exactly why you're stressed and still feel your shoulders up by your ears.
That's a big part of why I work the way I do. We spend time with what's happening in your body, not just the story about it.
What happens in your first session?
Your first session is mostly about getting to know each other and figuring out what you need. Here's what you can expect.
Do I have to tell you everything right away?
No. You set the pace. You don't need to share your whole history in one sitting, and you're always allowed to say "I'm not ready to talk about that yet."
Will we talk about my body?
Yes, gently. I'll ask what your pain is like, when it tends to get worse, and what helps, even a little. We'll also notice together what happens in your body as we talk. That information matters, and it's often something past therapy skipped.
Will I have to relive painful memories?
Not the way most people fear. DBR is a slow, quiet approach. It works with the first moments of how your brain reacts to stress, before the big emotions kick in. Many people find it calmer than they expected.
What should I bring?
You don't need to prepare anything. If it helps, you can jot down:
What you've already tried (therapy, medical treatment, anything else)
What you'd most like to be different
Any questions you have for me
How is DBR different from other trauma therapy?
Deep Brain Reorienting was developed by psychiatrist Dr. Frank Corrigan. It focuses on the brain's earliest response to something that felt threatening or overwhelming. Instead of talking through every detail, we slow way down and track small shifts in tension and feeling.
This matters when chronic pain and trauma overlap. Many of the people I work with are smart, funny, capable, and totally worn out from holding it all together. DBR makes room to notice what your body has been carrying, carefully, so your nervous system has a chance to settle.
What does working with me look like?
I offer two ways to work together:
Therapy intensives: half-day sessions designed for deep, focused work. A good option if you want momentum and don't want to wait weeks between sessions.
Ongoing 90-minute sessions: a regular rhythm for people who prefer steady, consistent support.
Why longer sessions? Settling into your body takes time. A standard 50-minute session often ends right when things start to shift. Longer sessions give us room to slow down and still close each session feeling grounded.
I see clients in person in Phoenix and Scottsdale, and through telehealth anywhere in Arizona, Oregon, and Connecticut.
Is this a good fit for you?
This approach tends to be a good fit if you:
Are high-functioning and capable, and also completely worn out
Have tried therapy before and it didn't stick
Notice that stress and pain seem connected, even if you can't explain how
Want to work with your body, not just talk about it
Like the idea of longer, more focused sessions
Something else might be a better fit if:
Your pain is new, changing, or hasn't been checked by a medical provider yet. Start there.
You're in crisis or need daily support. A higher level of care may help more right now.
You want a strictly skills-based, workbook-style program. Some therapists in Phoenix focus on that, and it's a completely valid choice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a diagnosis to start therapy for chronic pain?
No. You don't need a formal diagnosis to start. Many people come to therapy while they're still looking for answers from their doctors. I do recommend staying connected with a medical provider so any new or changing symptoms get checked. Therapy works best as one part of your care, not a replacement for it.
Are you going to tell me my pain is in my head?
No. Your pain is real. What therapy looks at is how your nervous system and your pain affect each other. Stress, fear, and old overwhelm can turn the volume up. That isn't imaginary. It's how bodies work, and it's something we can gently work with together.
Can I do therapy online in Arizona?
Yes. I offer telehealth sessions for adults anywhere in Arizona, as well as Oregon and Connecticut. Many people find online sessions easier on their bodies, especially during a flare. If you're local, in-person sessions are also available. We can talk about which option fits you best during your consultation.
How long does therapy for chronic pain take?
It's different for everyone, so I don't give timelines. Some people come for a single intensive, and some prefer ongoing sessions over several months. What we focus on, how your body responds, and what's happening in your life all play a role. We'll check in regularly about what's helping and what isn't.
Learn more about therapy for chronic pain here.
What's the difference between an intensive and ongoing sessions?
An intensive is a half-day session for deep, focused work. Ongoing sessions are 90 minutes and happen on a regular schedule. Intensives can help when you want momentum. Ongoing sessions work well when you want steady support over time. Some people use both, and we'll figure out the best fit together.
Learn more about intensives here.
Do you take insurance?
I'm a private-pay practice, so I don't bill insurance directly. I can provide a superbill that you can submit for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Private pay lets us shape care around what you need, like longer sessions and intensives, instead of what an insurance plan will cover. You can read more about the investment here.
Ready to take the first step?
If you've been carrying pain and holding everything together on your own, you don't have to keep doing it that way. Chronic pain therapy can give your body a chance to rest, and give you a chance to feel more like yourself again.
If you're in crisis, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.
The easiest way to start is a $25, 20-minute consultation. We'll talk about what's going on, what you've tried, and whether working together makes sense. No pressure either way.
(Arizona, Connecticut, and Oregon residents only)
About the author
Beth Freese, LPC is a licensed therapist serving Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona, with virtual sessions available across Arizona, Oregon, and Connecticut. She specializes in trauma therapy, anxiety, and therapy intensives, integrating Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) and somatic approaches to help clients process deeply, regulate effectively, and create lasting change. At Evolve Therapy, Beth provides compassionate, trauma-informed care that fits real life—whether that’s weekly or intensive work.
