Group cognitive therapy for chronic pain

Abstract

Group therapy for chronic pain management, particularly that using cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT), has become a common treatment format. This article provides a rationale and framework for group CBT, including the research evidence and clinical considerations related to the practitioner and patient. We then present an example of group therapy focusing on the cognitive components of CBT for chronic pain. Examples from group therapy are used in order to illustrate the principles of optimizing the group approach in the context of cognitive therapy.