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When pain takes over more than your body

Chronic Pain Support Across The North East

Therapy that addresses the psychological impact of persistent pain on mood, sleep, relationships, and sense of self.

  • 44 Practitioners
  • 6 North East clinics
  • Free First Pathway call

Understanding chronic pain

Pain is never just physical. The mind and body are always in conversation.

Chronic pain is defined as pain lasting 12 weeks or more. It can follow an injury, develop alongside a long-term condition like fibromyalgia or arthritis, or arise without a clear physical cause. What all chronic pain has in common is that it involves changes in how the brain processes pain signals, which is why psychological approaches are a recognised and effective part of treatment.

Chronic pain affects more than the body. It disrupts sleep, limits activity, strains relationships, and often leads to anxiety and depression. The effort of managing ongoing pain is exhausting, and many people find their world gradually narrowing as activities become restricted and social life suffers.

Psychological therapy for chronic pain is not about dismissing the physical reality of what someone is experiencing. It is about addressing the very real psychological impact and giving people tools to function better, engage with life more fully, and suffer less, regardless of whether the pain itself changes.

Common signs

How chronic pain shows up, and what can help

Common signs

  • Persistent pain lasting weeks, months, or years
  • Disrupted sleep due to discomfort or worry
  • Low mood, anxiety, or feelings of hopelessness
  • Withdrawing from activities you previously enjoyed
  • Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
  • Irritability or frustration linked to ongoing pain
  • Reduced ability to work or manage daily tasks
  • Feeling that others do not understand your experience

Therapies that can help

Different people respond to different approaches. Your therapist agrees a personalised plan with you, which may draw on:

The Pathway Team matches you to a therapist experienced in supporting people with chronic pain, at your chosen location.

A simple first move

Not sure where to start? Talk it through with the Pathway Team.

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Who you might work with

Therapists with expertise in supporting people with chronic pain

Browse the full team, or let the Pathway Team match you.

When to reach out

When pain is running your life, it is time to talk.

If chronic pain is affecting your mood, relationships, work, or ability to do the things that matter to you, psychological support can help. You do not need to have exhausted every medical option before reaching out.

The Pathway Team at Select Psychology can match you with a therapist experienced in working with chronic pain. A free Pathway call is the place to start.

Where we offer this

Support for chronic pain across the North East

Select Psychology Tynemouth clinic, coastal view

Tynemouth

1 Tynemouth Road, NE30 4AY

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Select Psychology Newcastle Gosforth clinic

Newcastle

The Grainger Suite, Dobson House, Regent Centre, NE3 3PF

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Questions before you start

What people usually ask

1 What is chronic pain?

Chronic pain is pain that persists for 12 weeks or more, often beyond the expected recovery time from an injury or illness. It can arise from a specific condition such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, or back pain, or without a clear physical cause. Unlike acute pain, chronic pain can continue independently of ongoing tissue damage, involving changes in how the brain and nervous system process pain signals.

2 Can psychology really help with physical pain?

Yes. Psychological approaches do not treat the underlying physical cause of pain, but they can significantly reduce its impact on daily life. Therapies like ACT and Health Psychology focus on changing your relationship with pain: reducing the distress it causes, improving day-to-day functioning, and helping you engage with valued activities even when pain is present.

3 Why does chronic pain affect mood and mental health?

Living with ongoing pain is exhausting, limiting, and often isolating. It can disrupt sleep, prevent people from working or socialising, and lead to a sense of real loss. Over time this commonly leads to anxiety and depression, which can in turn make pain feel more intense. This cycle is exactly what psychological therapy is designed to interrupt.

4 What is acceptance-based therapy for pain?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for chronic pain focuses on developing a different relationship with pain rather than fighting it or waiting for it to disappear. It helps people clarify what matters to them and act in line with those values despite pain, reducing the suffering that comes from struggling against an unavoidable experience. Research consistently shows it improves both functioning and wellbeing.

In the meantime

Small things that can help right now.

  • Pace your activity: avoid boom and bust cycles
  • Notice the connection between stress and pain flares
  • Keep doing things that matter, in small amounts
  • Talk to someone: isolation makes pain feel worse
  • Practise relaxation or breathing exercises daily

From the blog

Helpful reading on this

Get in touch

Ready to feel heard?

Leave your details and a member of our Pathway Team will be in touch, usually within one working day. Or call us directly on 0191 258 0008.

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  • No obligation, no pressure to book
  • No GP referral needed
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