Chronic Pain Family Education Sheets: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Learn how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy works and how it can improve chronic pain.

Kids (3-11) Tweens & Teens (12+) Chronic pain Finding a pain doctor or clinic Healthcare Providers Living with ongoing pain Pain psychologists Chronic Pain Chronic pain Finding a pain doctor or clinic Living with ongoing pain Pain Management Pain psychologists

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Also available in: Español

About This Resource

This is a part of our Family Education Sheets Series!

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people feel better by working on the links between what they think, how they feel, and what they do. It’s been proven to be extremely powerful for people with chronic pain. This guide walks through what happens in CBT and what kids and parents each learn, then how to find a therapist who uses it.

How To Use This Resource

PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS: Learn what to expect from CBT and what parents often learn alongside their kids, like research-backed ways to support progress and reinforce new skills at home. You’ll also find what to look for in a CBT therapist, and where to find one.

KIDS AND TEENS: Find out what CBT is like. Some people say it feels like working with a coach who teaches you skills to relax your brain and body, think about pain in more helpful ways, and get back to the things you want to do.

PROVIDERS: Share this with families considering CBT for chronic pain. It explains the approach in plain language and lists where they can find a therapist. The other education sheets in this series cover school, sleep, and daily functioning.

Who Is This For

This guide is for parents and caregivers supporting kids and teens with chronic pain. It’s also useful for healthcare providers.

This guide is part of a collaboration between the Meg Foundation and the Society of Pediatric Psychology’s Pain Special Interest Group.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is like a mental workout for managing chronic pain. This educational resource shows families how CBT can help kids and teens cope with chronic pain.

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A Note About Keeping This Free

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