Pain Reprocessing Therapy Group

An 8-week, online chronic pain group program for adults with chronic pain. Next group begins Thursday, January 29 at 1pm EST. Sign up for my newsletter or reach out to me directly to be notified of future groups!

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Gain a deeper understanding of chronic pain – and practical strategies for managing it.

Living with chronic pain often means navigating a condition that can feel invisible and misunderstood by others. Maybe past treatments haven’t brought the relief you hoped for, leaving uncertainty and frustration. The invisibility of chronic pain can sometimes lead to self-doubt or worries about being dismissed by others. Over time, activities you once enjoyed might have become things to avoid, fearing increased discomfort or worsening symptoms.

It’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or worried about the future. Chronic pain often brings persistent questions and concerns about health, quality of life, and even fears about what the pain might mean.

Chronic pain is exhausting and isolating.

In this chronic pain group program, we’ll explore your experience with pain through an approach grounded in Pain Reprocessing Therapy—an evidence-based method designed to transform the way your brain responds to pain signals. You’ll gain insights into how pain works, why it persists, and how it’s possible to rewire your pain response. Together, we’ll build practical skills and strategies to help you confidently manage and, over time, reduce your pain, allowing you to reconnect with activities and experiences that enrich your life.

How might this benefit you?

Imagine a life with:

Less Pain

You don’t just cope with pain, but rather experience less of it day-to-day.
More Freedom

You spontaneously enjoy an evening out without pain dictating your decisions.
Improved Mobility

You move comfortably through everyday tasks without worrying about prolonged pain afterward.
Greater Self-Connection

You have a deeper understanding and connection with yourself and your sensations, fostering a healthier relationship with your body and emotions.

laptop on a couch representing the virtual chronic pain group

This chronic pain group is designed to help you fundamentally change your relationship with pain, so that you can reclaim activities and experiences important to you. We will work together to help shift how your brain interprets pain signals, guiding it to perceive them as safe rather than threatening.

About

What is the group like?

In this group program, you will learn evidence-based techniques for addressing your pain, with the guidance of a licensed psychologist and the support of others who can relate to your experiences.

When

This group is not held throughout the year, but rather in cohorts of about 8-12 participants. The next chronic pain group is planned for Spring 2026, running from January 29 to March 19 on Thursday afternoons (1pm EST).

Where

Sessions are held virtually, and you can join if you are located in North Carolina or any PSYPACT state. Join from your own private space with a cup of tea and comfortable clothes – you can set the atmosphere!

What

I will have topics and information to cover during each session so that you are walking away from the 8-week experience with new information, skills, and insights about your pain, emotions, and behaviors. Between group sessions, you will be encouraged to practice techniques discussed in the session. There will also be time for participants to discuss how the topics relate to their own experiences and to debrief and troubleshoot between-session practice.

FAQ

What does the group cost? Is it covered by insurance?

The self-pay rate is $50 per session ($400 for the full program). I am in-network with BCBS and Aetna; individual costs for those insured with BCBS or Aetna will vary based on your specific plan.

What is Pain Reprocessing Therapy and how can it help my chronic pain?

Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) is a mind-body approach designed to help individuals understand and change the way their brain interprets chronic pain signals. PRT focuses on retraining the brain to reduce or eliminate chronic pain by addressing underlying neural pathways rather than structural damage.
PRT works by helping you recognize that certain types of chronic pain are generated by the brain, even if the pain feels like it originates in the body. Through guided exercises, mindfulness techniques, and cognitive reframing, you can learn to reduce the brain’s pain signals and regain physical comfort.

What topics or techniques will be covered in the group?

You will learn about the neuroscience of chronic pain, emotional awareness techniques, somatic tracking, guided visualizations, and cognitive strategies to challenge unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors related to pain.

Who leads the group, and what are their credentials?

The group is led by me, a licensed psychologist (Dr. Hannah Holmes) with expertise in chronic pain and mind-body interventions. I earned my PhD in clinical psychology from Wayne State University in 2019, where I studied under Dr. Mark Lumley, a pain researcher and clinician who has collaborated with other experts in psychological approaches to pain management, including one of the developers of PRT (Alan Gordon).

How many sessions are included, and how long are they?

The program includes 8, 1-hour long sessions held weekly. Sessions include education, guided practice, and group discussions.

When and where are the sessions held?

Sessions will be held virtually via a secure telehealth platform, allowing participation from most states. The next group is planned to begin Tuesday, June 3, and will meet weekly on Tuesdays from 10-11am.

What if I can’t attend all sessions?

While consistent attendance is strongly encouraged, I understand life happens. Resources and summaries for misses sessions may be provided.

How many people will be in the group?

To ensure a supportive environment, groups are limited to 8-12 participants.

Is this group therapy or more of a skills based class?

It’s a bit of both. It will be relatively structured, including psychoeducation and skills for addressing your pain, while also allowing space for sharing experiences and receiving peer support.

Will this conflict with my current treatments or medications?

PRT complements many treatments and does not require stopping medications. Always discuss changes with your healthcare provider.

What if I’ve tried other therapies without success?

PRT focuses on retraining the brain rather than just symptom management, offering a unique and often transformative approach for those who haven’t found relief elsewhere, including with traditional CBT for chronic pain.

Do I have to share personal information during the group?

Sharing is encouraged but never required. Participants often find value in hearing others’ experiences, but you are welcome to engage at your comfort level.

Is this a cure for chronic pain or just a coping strategy?

PRT aims to address the root cause of certain chronic pain types. While not a “cure” in every case, many experience significant and lasting relief beyond traditional coping methods.

What can I do after the group to maintain the benefits?

You will receive tools and resources to continue practicing techniques. Ongoing individual therapy or follow-up groups may be available for continued support.

What is the evidence that this treatment works?

PRT is supported by growing research evidence. One of the most notable, exciting studies conducted was a randomized controlled trial published in JAMA Psychiatry in 2021. In this study, patients with chronic back pain who received PRT experienced significant pain reduction compared to those in standard care and placebo groups. Approximately two-thirds of participants in the PRT group reported being pain-free or nearly pain-free after treatment, with sustained benefits at one-year follow-up. Brain imaging also showed that PRT can alter neural pathways associated with pain processing.