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Psychological Support for Persistent Pain

I have a strong interest in supporting people with chronic pain. My interest in pain management developed from supporting people on the Queensland Opioid Treatment Program for which a large majority had chronic pain issues.

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Living with ongoing pain is exhausting.
It can affect sleep, mood, work, exercise, relationships, and your sense of who you are. Many people I see have tried a range of medical and physical treatments and still feel stuck or worn down by pain.

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Psychological support doesn’t replace medical care, and it doesn’t aim to “think the pain away”. Instead, we focus on:

  • Reducing the impact pain has on your life.

  • Supporting your mood, coping and sleep.

  • Helping you do more of what matters to you, even alongside pain.​​​

How Psychology Can Help With Pain

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Current pain science tells us that pain is influenced by many factors, including:

  • The body (injury, inflammation, nervous system changes).

  • Thoughts and beliefs about pain.

  • Emotions such as fear, anger or hopelessness.

  • Stress, sleep, fatigue and activity levels.

  • Past experiences with pain and treatment.

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When we only target the physical side, these other factors can keep pain and distress going.


Psychological approaches can help you:

  • Understand what might be amplifying pain and suffering.

  • Respond differently to pain, rather than getting caught in a cycle of struggle and avoidance.

  • Build skills to cope with flare-ups and uncertainty.

  • Re-engage with meaningful activities in a safe, graded way.

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The focus is on improving quality of life and functioning, not on promising to remove pain.

My Approach

​​I use evidence-based approaches that have been widely studied in chronic pain, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness and compassion-based strategies, and pain education.

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Over recent years I’ve completed training in contemporary pain science, including the Explain Pain program (NOI Group), professional development in chronic pain management through the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, and participation in the Pain Revolution Rural Outreach Tour.

 

This training helps me integrate up-to-date pain education with practical psychological strategies, so we can link what’s happening in your nervous system with the tools you use day-to-day.

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We’ll tailor these approaches to your goals, preferences and existing treatment plan.

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Riding with the Pain Revolution Rural Outreach Tour, 2025

What We Might Work On Together

 

Depending on your situation, our work might include:

  • Making sense of your pain story and its impact on your life.

  • Understanding pain science in clear, practical language.

  • Pacing activity so you can stay more consistent and reduce flare-ups.

  • Managing worry, low mood, frustration and grief related to pain.

  • Improving sleep routines and energy management.

  • Building confidence to return to valued activities, work or exercise.

  • Handling medical appointments and communication with health professionals.

  • Navigating changes in identity, roles and relationships.

  • Developing self-compassion instead of self-criticism.

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You don’t need to work on all of these. We’ll focus on what feels most important to you right now.

What to Expect in Sessions

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  • Initial session
    We’ll talk about your pain history, current supports, what you’ve already tried, and what you’d like to be different. We’ll also discuss whether individual sessions, a structured plan, or occasional check-ins might suit you best.

  • Ongoing sessions
    Sessions are practical and collaborative. We’ll review how things are going, introduce skills step-by-step, and adapt the plan around flare-ups, medical treatment and life demands.

  • Length of treatment
    Some people attend for a short block of sessions around a specific issue (for example, coping with an upcoming surgery or returning to work). Others prefer medium-term support as they adjust to living with long-term pain. We’ll decide this together.

 

Sessions can be in-person on the Sunshine Coast or via secure telehealth, depending on your needs and location.

Working Alongside Your Other Providers

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Psychological support for pain usually works best as part of a broader plan.

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With your consent, I can communicate with:

  • Your GP

  • Pain specialist or treating doctor

  • Physiotherapist or other allied health providers

 

The goal is to make sure everyone is working from the same page and that psychological strategies sit alongside your medical and physical treatments, not instead of them.

Fees and Referrals

You can see me with or without a referral.

  • If you have a current Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, Medicare rebates may apply for psychology sessions.

  • For full fee and rebate details, please see the Fees page or contact me directly.

Not Sure If This Is Right For You?

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It’s common to feel unsure about trying something new, especially if you’ve already seen many health professionals.

If you’re curious about whether this type of support might help you live better with pain, you’re welcome to:

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We can briefly discuss your situation and whether psychological pain management is likely to be a good fit.

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