Pain Psychology

• The primary goal of this minor rotation is to equip emerging psychologists with the skill set needed to confidently and effectively treat pain conditions using evidence-based interventions, as a member of a multidisciplinary, specialty healthcare team.
• Interns will build fluency in the complex relationship between the experience of pain and the biopsychosocial factors that maintain pain conditions, as well as demonstrating the ability to effectively explain this relationship to patients.
• Interns will develop skills and confidence in working at the intersection of pain and emotional distress in an outpatient psychotherapy model.

• This rotation may occur Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Interns will provide short term psychotherapy (averaging 8 sessions) to Spine Center patients with chronic pain conditions, utilizing evidence-based interventions and collaborating with other members of the treatment team.
• Sessions are usually 45-50 minutes. It is likely that approximately 30-40% of patient care will be done via telehealth, though all Spine Center providers are on site at the time of telehealth visits. This rotation does not offer a remote work option.
• Interns will shadow at least one physiatry and physical therapy staff member at the onset of their rotation.
• All clinical notes must be completed within 72 hours of patient encounters.
• Interns may participate in monthly staff meetings.
  

 

• Interns may have the ability to co-facilitate the delivery of a pain education group along with other members of the Spine Center clinical staff. This class typically takes place on Thursday evenings.
• Interns may have the option of completing a presurgical psychological screen for patients considering undergoing surgery for the implantation of a Spinal Cord Stimulator.
• Those interns with previous training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) may also have the opportunity apply this skill with a pain population.

The Lutheran Spine Center approaches the treatment of pain from a biopsychosocial model. Psychology providers in the Spine Center apply technically eclectic interventions that are grounded in evidence, and which follow a clear clinical conceptualization. Primary clinical interventions are drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and the Emotional Avoidance and Awareness Technique (EAET). Interns will be expected to clearly articulate their case conceptualizations and rationale for clinical interventions.

Patients at the Lutheran Spine Center are adults ranging from early 20’s and well into later life. Our patient population is also drawn from a wide range of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds across the Denver Metro region. The Lutheran Spine Center serves patients on Medicaid and Medicare, as well as private insurance and those who choose to self-pay for care. Patients frequently present with multiple co-morbidities and complex interpersonal circumstances, with pain typically as the primary complaint.

Interns will participate in one hour a week of scheduled supervision, as well as informal support provided by licensed clinical staff throughout the rotation.