Course Learning Objectives/Outcomes

By the end of the course, the Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist, Social Worker or Psychologist will be able to:
-Explain three kinds of pain domains.
-Discuss three categories of pain perception.
-Explain three cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic pain.
-Discuss three cognitive interventions for chronic pain.
-Explain three characteristics of stress related to pain.
-Discuss three self-presentation effects of chronic pain.
-Explain three manifestations of behavioral anger in chronic pain.
-Discuss three challenges related to pain catastrophizing.
-Discuss three considerations regarding psychological distress and attention biases in chronic pain.
-Name the three components of cognitive-behavioral treatment. 
-Explain what does a clinician needs to effectively utilize during group therapy in order to enhance treatment effectiveness and patient satisfaction in cognitive-behavioral treatment for chronic pain. 
-Explain what style of trained questioning used in cognitive interventions gently probes for patient meanings and stimulates alternative viewpoints or ideas. 
-Explain what is the rationale behind self-help cognitive-behavioral therapy. 
-Explain under what two concepts is psychosocial pain research carried out.
-Explain what mechanism of pain can lead to a re-activation of childhood feelings of helplessness which, in turn, leads to severe psychosocial crisis. 
-Name one of the most researched variables of pain that influences pain intensity and physical / psychosocial disability. 
-Explain what is the assumption of cognitive models of pain. 
-Explain why is it that certain patients when referred for psychological treatment (for a pain problem), may not attend the sessions or follow through with homework assignments or practice recommendations that are often a part of these psychological approaches. 
-Name the four psychologic factors of Mr. H’s pain. 


"The instructional level of this course is introductory, intermediate, or advanced depending on the learners clinical area of expertise."