Pain Reprocessing Therapy
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Pain Reprocessing Therapy is a new and effective type of treatment that helps reduce suffering for people experiencing chronic pain.
Based on neuroscience, Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) aims to rewire learned neural pathways in the brain and ultimately retrains the brain to deactivate pain.
At CBT of Central and South Florida, our pain reprocessing therapists are specially trained and certified by The Pain Reprocessing Therapy Center, a training institute for clinicians, to provide PRT to individuals seeking relief from chronic pain.
Evidence is Strong for Pain Reprocessing Therapy
In a recent study measuring its effectiveness, researchers found that the people who received PRT to treat their chronic back pain reported a substantial reduction in pain intensity at the end of their treatment.
Almost two-thirds of participants were pain-free or nearly pain-free at the end of the treatment. Additional benefits of PRT treatment included:
- - Reduced disability
- - Fewer feelings of anger
- -Improvements in sleep
- -Improvements in levels of depression
At a 1-year follow-up, the effects of PRT on pain were still strong as the outcomes were mostly maintained and the people who received PRT reported high satisfaction levels with their treatment.
What Makes PRT Different from Other Treatments
Existing treatments like cognitive-behavioral, acceptance-based, and mindfulness-based interventions have typically been used to improve functioning in chronic pain patients. These treatments aim to focus on decreasing pain, catastrophizing, enhancing pain coping or acceptance, and promoting engagement in valued life activities.
PRT builds on and improves on existing psychological treatment models for chronic pain. Some interventions, like exposure therapy, can share elements with PRT, (including the emphasis that painful activities are not injurious), but PRT specifically focuses on re-interpreting pain sensations as safe and that pain is not always indicative of tissue damage.
Studies show that CBT and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) have significant improvements in chronic pain. However, Pain Reprocessing Therapy is shown to be the most effective current treatment with outcomes largely maintained one year later.
Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) FAQ
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Our trained and certified PRT clinicians will conduct a thorough assessment to determine if learned neural pathways in the brain, otherwise known as neuroplastic pain, is playing a role in your case.
Our clinicians will also work closely with your medical team to discuss your history and eligibility. A referral to a PRT-certified medical physician may also be recommended to rule out structural pain.
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Pain is treatable, no matter how ‘extreme’. Since pain is a ‘danger’ signal from the brain, pain will stop when the patient learns to eliminate the fear of symptoms and alter their relationship with fear in general.
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We’ll work together for however long it takes the individual to neutralize their fear around the pain.
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Yes, psychological treatment focused on changing beliefs about the causes of pain and re-interpretation of the pain as safe and not dangerous, may provide substantial and durable pain relief. By eliminating the fear, this will allow for corrective experiences that ultimately eliminate pain.
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We offer both in person and virtual appointments. Our in person appointments currently take place at our Orlando, FL office.
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Most clients pay for our services out-of-pocket. Please contact our office to verify your coverage. Even if we can’t see you at our practice, we are happy to connect you with additional resources. We feel it is our job and responsibility to help you find the help you need.
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We generally schedule weekly, 45 minute appointments for therapy.
If you are interested in more intensive therapy we offer several options, which can include multiple sessions per week and can range from 60 to 90 minutes or longer.
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Yes. As CBT clinicians we have a specific way of helping people, but we recognize that it's not the only way. If we feel another form of therapy outside of our scope of practice is helpful, we will refer you to our best resources.
If you want to incorporate other methods of helping or healing, we'll integrate that into your treatment or provide a referral to another provider.
Therapy Delivered With Respect, Empathy, and Compassion
We view all people as unique individuals who are doing the best they can to cope with the circumstances they are presented with. Although we are CBT specialists that help people manage their pain using the most current and effective treatments, we also recognize how privilege, power, unequal access to resources, prejudice, racism, and other systemic issues affect a person’s lived experience. We are aware of ageism and see our clients problems not only from the lens of CBT but also Critical Disability Theory. We don't believe there is a "normative" human experience and do not use the labels, "disabled" in our work with clients.
We approach each relationship with the respect, empathy, and compassion that all people deserve. Our practitioners have also received additional training and supervision in culturally competent practices, and continue to do so as part of participating in our group.
Find out how Pain Reprocessing Therapy can alleviate Chronic Pain. Start your recovery today.
