Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain

“This book is aptly named, for it truly does take the reader on a step-by-step journey through the therapeutic process....Eminently practical.”

—Health Psychology and Rehabilitation (on the first edition)


“An excellent resource for practitioners and trainees who work with chronic pain patients. The author's skill for applying theory and research to the clinic setting is masterful....This guidebook will help practitioners improve patient outcomes for years to come.”

—Journal of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy (on the first edition)


“Detailed, systematic, and very well organized….This is a book worth keeping and using, and it is a book worth sharing. It would be helpful for those working in pain clinics, as well as for mental health professionals and traditional physical medicine doctors.”

—Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic (on the first edition)


“This up-to-date second edition not only provides an overview of the scientific evidence supporting CBT for chronic pain, but also is filled with practical tips for dealing with challenges that typically arise when working with patients. Thorn is an internationally recognized expert who has pioneered novel approaches to implementing CBT with chronic pain sufferers, including those with multiple comorbid conditions. She draws on her rich background of clinical experience and brings the material to life with numerous anecdotes and examples. A wide range of practitioners will find this book very accessible and will learn techniques they can integrate into their daily practice.”

—Francis J. Keefe, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Director, Duke Pain Prevention and Treatment Research Program, Duke University School of Medicine


“Experts in pain management are unanimous in encouraging timely and equitable access to cognitive therapy to address the interrelated public health crises of undertreatment of pain and the opioid epidemic. Thorn’s contribution stands alone in providing a patient-centered guide that can be used in the broadest array of clinical practice settings. It is clear that this book will serve as the gold standard for the field of pain management for many years to come.”

—Robert D. Kerns, PhD, Departments of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Psychology, Yale University


“There has been a recent resurgence of interest in nonpharmacological interventions for pain, and this evidence-based book is packed with interventions that really work. Easy to read and understand, the manual includes helpful reproducible materials and real-world examples to offer guidance in the management of pain. The second edition features freestanding modules, incorporates new clinical techniques, and has up-to-date resources and reproducible tools. Thorn emphasizes goal setting and active collaboration to help clients gain control over an otherwise debilitating condition. I highly recommend this book as a 'must have' for seasoned professionals as well as clinicians and students new to the field.”

—Robert N. Jamison, PhD, Departments of Anesthesia and Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School


“Grounded in theory and rigorous scientific research, this book is a classic. The second edition incorporates new techniques, including mindfulness meditation, as well as additional tools, such as downloadable client handouts and audio recordings. The treatment modules are now more self-contained, allowing practitioners to integrate and adapt the treatment for a variety of applications and settings. What hasn’t changed since the first edition is the book’s engaging and insightful style. It is obvious that Thorn both understands the science underlying the treatment and has compassionately and effectively delivered it to many clients. This book is the essential reference for providing group or individual CBT to people with chronic pain, and should be part of predoctoral and postdoctoral training for all professionals who plan to work with chronic pain in psychology, social work, nursing, occupational therapy, and other health care disciplines.”

—Dawn M. Ehde, PhD, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington


“This second edition is extensively revised and represents a seminal contribution to the field of pain treatment. The book is unique in that its methods are so rigorous as to be usable as a scientific protocol for a clinical trial, while at the same time so practical as to be easily implemented in the clinical setting. Thorn translates the science of pain treatment into practice.”

—Daniel Bruns, PsyD, FAPA, Health Psychology Associates, Greeley, Colorado


“With unprecedented challenges in chronic pain management, there is a growing need for evidence-based, non-pharmacological treatment options. Thorn has delivered a comprehensive, up-to-date guide that meets this need. The book not only covers foundational research and theory, but also presents a wealth of step-by-step practical tools for engaging patients in effective clinical treatment. This is the ultimate one-stop resource for all things relevant to cognitive therapy for chronic pain.”

—Jennifer L. Murphy, PhD, CBT for Chronic Pain Master Trainer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs