Condition information
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is pain that persists beyond expected healing time. Psychological treatments don't cure pain, but they meaningfully change your relationship with pain, reduce suffering, and restore function. ACT and pain-focused CBT have strong evidence.
Common experiences
- Persistent pain lasting 3+ months
- Reduced engagement in valued activities
- Sleep disturbance
- Mood changes — depression, irritability, anxiety
- Catastrophic thinking — 'this will never end'
- Difficulty concentrating, memory issues
- Withdrawal from work, social, or family roles
Clinical notes
Australian context: About 1 in 5 Australians live with chronic pain. Source.
Clinical coding reference: DSM-5: G89 · ICD-11: MG30
This page is general information only. It is not a diagnosis or personal medical advice. A registered psychologist or doctor can help work out what is happening in your situation.
Questions people often ask
Does psychological therapy mean 'the pain is in my head'?
No. Chronic pain is real and involves complex neurological, physiological and psychological factors. Psychological therapy doesn’t deny the physical reality — it addresses what we can change: the meaning of pain, your response to it, and the impact on daily life.
Can therapy work alongside my GP / pain specialist?
Yes — and typically does. We work alongside your medical team, not instead of them. We’ll communicate (with your consent) to make sure care is coordinated.
What if I've tried everything?
If you’ve tried mainstream approaches without success, it’s worth a different approach — ACT for chronic pain, mindfulness-based pain management, or schema-focused work for the relationship dimension. Talk to us.
Need help deciding what to do next?
Reception can help you choose the right appointment type or clinician. If you feel unsafe or at immediate risk, use the urgent help page first.