IPCA has started group training classes to teach valuable stress management and pain management skills.

Group therapy sessions will:

• Allow you to learn how pain changes you
• Help you develop the skills to reclaim your life
• Teach you to control your pain, not have it control you
• Allow you to meet others who are having a similar experience
• Help you interract effectively with the health care system

Group Session Details:

• Led by Dr. Cela Archambault, Phd Psychology and Kathy Davis, NP-C,
• Sessions are for 8 weeks—meeting every Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.,
• 10-12 participants per group,
• Must commit to attending each session.

For more information and to sign up, please contact the Behavioral Medicine Program scheduler at 797-7246 x113

More Details of the Program and Benefits of Group Treatment for Chronic Pain

Group treatment of pain has shifted in recent years from a medical model toward a learning paradigm.  Its purpose is to correct misconceptions about pain and to provide opportunities for pain control.  Its goal is to replace “learned helplessness” with “learned resourcefulness”. 

• As a group, people who are experiencing chronic pain face similar problems, such as recurrent depression, concerns about medications, and frustration with limitations.  Often, these individuals require similar treatment interventions.
• The group process promotes a feeling of universality.  Groups help to ameliorate the social isolation and alienation common to pain sufferers, who can now openly share their feelings of anger, helplessness, and loss of control in a socially supportive setting.
• Groups instill hope—that people not only can survive chronic pain but can live healthy, independent, and satisfying lives.  A shift from negative, self-defeating behaviors to positive, active, and independent behaviors is often a byproduct of the group experience.
• Specific training and activities are offered in a group setting. 
  • Factual information is shared so that people can better understand their condition, exercise options, medical options, procedural options, and how to use medical resources effectively.  Often a presentation is made by one of the IPCA physicians and/or ProActive Physical Therapy physical therapists, in this portion of the program.
  • The role of medication and attitudes relating to control issues are discussed.  Understanding what medications can and cannot do, and pitfalls related to medication use is discussed.  Often the UA College of Pharmacy participates in this portion of the discussion.
  • Education and relaxation programs are explored because these can alleviate fears while teaching new methods of coping with pain. 
  • Role-playing and assertiveness training is covered to help individuals to build confidence in coping with life stressors. 
  • Diaries that record mood, pain, levels of activity, and medication are described and used to mark progress, serve as positive reinforcement, and provide a means for ongoing evaluation. 
  • What constutes reasonable expectations, what the system can and cannot do, and what constitutes abuse of healthcare providers and the health care sytem is covered to help people understand how to be effective advocates for their health care needs.
• Individuals with chronic pain may resist feedback from a “well” therapist and accept credible feedback or confrontation much more readily from their peers.   However, therapists who have experienced chronic pain may serve as ideal role models. The group creates a social network with new social rules for living with a permanent disability.
• An opportunity is created for “modeling” behaviors.  When a group member successfully engages in renewed activities or demonstrates more effective ways to cope with stress and/or pain, other members tend to follow the example.