Dr. Howe offers specialized therapy for individuals living with chronic pain, recognizing that effective pain management must address both the physical and emotional challenges involved. Chronic pain can lead to ongoing frustration, emotional exhaustion, anxiety, and isolation—especially when symptoms persist despite medical treatment.
Through Chronic Pain Therapy, Dr. Howe helps clients navigate the psychological impact of long-term pain. Her approach focuses on building emotional resilience, improving day-to-day functioning, and restoring a sense of control. Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual, offering practical tools to manage stress, reduce emotional distress, and support a better quality of life. Therapy provides a safe, supportive space to explore the connection between pain and mental health—helping clients feel more empowered, understood, and supported in their healing journey.
Chronic pain is defined as physical discomfort that lasts for months—or even years—beyond the expected period of healing. Unlike acute pain, which signals injury or illness, chronic pain often continues even when no clear medical cause can be found. It can affect any part of the body and may be constant or intermittent, varying in intensity day to day.
Over time, chronic pain doesn’t just affect the body—it impacts emotional and psychological well-being. It can lead to fatigue, irritability, poor sleep, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of frustration, helplessness, or isolation. Many individuals living with long-term pain find it hard to maintain routines, relationships, or a sense of control. Therapy offers a way to address these emotional challenges, providing tools to manage the mental toll of pain and improve quality of life, even when physical symptoms persist.
Psychologists play a crucial role in chronic pain management by addressing the emotional and psychological factors that often exacerbate the pain experience. Chronic pain can lead to feelings of frustration, isolation, and anxiety, and a psychologist helps individuals understand the mental and emotional connections to their pain. Using evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness techniques, psychologists work with clients to reframe negative thoughts, reduce emotional distress, and manage pain-related stress. These approaches empower individuals to change their relationship with pain, helping them develop healthier coping strategies and emotional resilience. By improving how individuals think and feel about their pain, therapy can enhance overall well-being, reduce the impact of pain on daily life, and foster a greater sense of control and hope in managing chronic pain.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective and evidence-based approach for managing chronic pain. CBT helps individuals recognize and reframe negative thought patterns that contribute to pain, distress, and emotional suffering. By identifying these unhelpful thoughts, individuals can learn to challenge them and replace them with healthier, more balanced perspectives, ultimately reducing the emotional intensity of their pain.
In addition to reframing negative thoughts, CBT helps reduce pain-related anxiety, depression, and stress, which often amplify the perception of pain. Through structured techniques, patients develop healthier coping strategies to manage both the physical and emotional aspects of chronic pain. This therapy equips individuals with practical tools to improve daily functioning and maintain emotional balance despite ongoing pain.
Dr. Howe also incorporates complementary techniques, such as mindfulness and relaxation exercises, to further reduce pain-related stress, promote relaxation, and enhance overall well-being. These techniques allow individuals to stay grounded in the present moment, reducing the mental and physical toll of chronic pain. Through CBT and these supportive methods, individuals can experience improved quality of life, better emotional resilience, and increased control over their pain.
Effective therapy begins with a supportive environment where clients feel safe, respected, and understood. Dr. Howe creates a confidential space grounded in empathy and professionalism, where individuals can explore their experiences and work toward meaningful, lasting change.
Collaboration: Therapy is a partnership. Each treatment plan is shaped by the client’s goals, values, and lived experience—ensuring that progress is practical, relevant, and aligned with what matters most.
Trust: Building trust is central to the therapeutic process. Dr. Howe offers consistent, nonjudgmental support, encouraging openness and honest reflection at every stage of the journey.
Confidentiality: Client privacy is treated with the highest level of ethical care. Sessions are held in a secure, respectful setting where personal information is protected with discretion and integrity.
Beginning therapy for chronic pain can feel like a major decision, especially when physical symptoms have persisted despite other treatments. Dr. Howe’s process is designed to be supportive, structured, and entirely focused on your individual needs and goals—starting from the very first session.
Your first session is a confidential, one-on-one conversation where Dr. Howe takes time to understand the nature of your pain, how it’s affecting your life, and the emotional challenges that may accompany it. This sets the groundwork for a trusting and collaborative relationship.
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If appropriate, a brief assessment may be used to help clarify the emotional and behavioral impact of chronic pain. Based on your experiences, Dr. Howe develops a tailored treatment plan with realistic goals, pacing, and strategies that align with your day-to-day challenges.
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Weekly or biweekly sessions focus on building emotional resilience, introducing practical coping tools, and exploring lifestyle shifts that support better pain management. Evidence-based techniques like CBT, ACT, and mindfulness are adapted to fit your specific circumstances.
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As therapy progresses, your treatment plan evolves to reflect your growth and changing needs. Some clients continue with maintenance sessions or periodic check-ins, equipped with long-term tools for managing stress, emotional health, and the impact of pain. In-person and telehealth sessions are available throughout Arizona for your convenience.
Dr. Savana Howe is a licensed clinical psychologist with years of experience helping individuals navigate personal challenges. She specializes in providing compassionate, evidence-based therapy for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. Dr. Howe’s approach is collaborative, creating a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their thoughts and emotions. Her goal is to empower clients to understand themselves better and make meaningful changes that promote emotional well-being and personal growth.
Chronic Pain Management Therapy offers more than just support—it empowers individuals to regain control, rebuild emotional resilience, and enhance daily life despite ongoing symptoms. With Dr. Howe’s guidance, clients learn to manage pain more effectively, reduce the mental burden it creates, and move forward with renewed strength, clarity, and purpose.
Therapy provides space to process the emotional toll of chronic pain and build strategies for managing frustration, sadness, and overwhelm. Clients develop healthier ways to respond to discomfort and maintain balance, even on difficult days.
Living with chronic pain often increases emotional tension. Therapy helps reduce stress and anxiety by addressing thought patterns that amplify pain and by teaching calming techniques to support both the mind and body.
Pain-related sleep disruptions can drain energy and affect overall functioning. Therapy supports the development of routines and techniques that promote better rest, increased stamina, and a more consistent daily rhythm.
Through practical tools and guided insight, clients gain a stronger sense of agency in how they live with pain. Therapy encourages confidence in decision-making and daily choices, helping individuals feel more empowered and capable.
While physical pain may persist, therapy shifts the focus toward what can still be meaningful and fulfilling. Clients learn to set goals, rediscover interests, and build a life that feels purposeful—beyond just managing symptoms.
Chronic pain can strain personal and professional relationships. Therapy strengthens communication skills, improves emotional awareness, and helps clients express their needs more clearly—reducing misunderstandings and fostering healthier connections.
Contact Dr. Howe today to schedule your free 15-minute consultation and begin your journey toward better mental health.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps individuals reframe negative thought patterns and beliefs that amplify pain. It teaches clients to challenge pain-related fears and anxiety, reduce stress, and build healthier coping strategies, ultimately improving emotional resilience and managing pain more effectively.
Chronic pain affects both the body and mind. Therapy addresses the emotional and psychological impact of pain, such as stress, fear, sadness, and frustration. By teaching relaxation, mindfulness, and coping strategies, therapy helps individuals manage pain more effectively and improve their overall well-being.
While therapy doesn’t eliminate physical pain, it significantly reduces its intensity and emotional suffering. Clients often report improved coping, lower distress levels, and greater control over how pain affects their daily life, leading to a better quality of life despite ongoing pain.
Yes, therapy complements medical care, physical therapy, or pain management programs. Dr. Howe works collaboratively with your other healthcare providers when appropriate, offering a holistic, integrated approach to support both the physical and emotional aspects of chronic pain management
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