Jennifer Ference-Belhomme
Registered Clinical Psychologist
I specialize in assessing and treating developmental challenges in children, adolescents, and in some cases, young adults. I have experience diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, Learning Disabilities, and Intellectual Disabilities, amongst other challenges that present in children/adolescents, including medical conditions (e.g., chronic pain, Tourette's syndrome) and sleep challenges.
Kristy Brosz, MSW, RCSW
Registered Clinical Social Worker/Mental Health Therapist
*Chronic Illness/Rare Disease Therapist & Trauma/Grief Specialist* Kristy's practice focuses on the intersection between trauma and grief/loss. Kristy has a special interest in the areas of trauma, grief/loss, rare/chronic illness, palliative care, and adoption/foster/kinship care.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Chronic Pain
How can therapy help with chronic pain?
Therapy does not eliminate chronic pain, but it can significantly reduce pain's impact on daily life, emotional wellbeing, and functioning. Psychological approaches help people change their relationship to pain — reducing the fear, catastrophizing, and avoidance that amplify suffering — and develop skills for managing flares, improving sleep, staying active, and maintaining relationships despite pain. Research consistently shows that psychological treatment improves quality of life even when pain itself does not fully resolve.
What is the connection between pain and mental health?
Chronic pain and mental health are deeply interconnected. Depression and anxiety are among the most common co-occurring conditions with chronic pain — each worsening the other in a reinforcing cycle. Pain that is not well controlled increases the risk of depression; depression lowers pain tolerance and makes coping harder. Trauma also plays a significant role: adverse childhood experiences and PTSD are associated with higher rates of chronic pain. Addressing mental health alongside pain is widely recognized as best practice.
What therapy approaches are used for chronic pain?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for chronic pain (CBT-CP) is the most extensively researched approach, targeting pain-related thoughts, behaviours, and emotions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people live fully despite pain by building psychological flexibility and values-based action. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has strong evidence for improving pain-related quality of life. Somatic and trauma-informed approaches are increasingly used when trauma underlies chronic pain presentations.
Does therapy mean I should stop pain medications?
No — therapy for chronic pain is not a replacement for medical treatment; it is a complement to it. The goal is interdisciplinary pain management: combining medical, psychological, physiotherapy, and lifestyle approaches for the best outcomes. Decisions about medication are made with your physician, not your therapist. Some people find that as coping improves and function increases through therapy, their need for certain medications may change — but this is a medical decision, not a therapeutic one.
How many sessions does chronic pain therapy take?
CBT for chronic pain is typically delivered over 8–12 weekly sessions, which is sufficient to produce meaningful improvements in functioning and quality of life for many people. Some people with complex pain presentations, co-occurring trauma, or significant depression benefit from longer-term therapy. Booster sessions are sometimes useful during flare periods or major stressors. Your therapist will tailor the plan to your specific pain condition and life circumstances.