Chronic pain often limits mobility, making travel to in-person therapy sessions challenging. Telemental health eliminates the need for travel, making therapy more accessible.

Due to the fluctuating nature of chronic pain, you have good days and bad days. With telemental health, even on a bad pain day,  you can still attend sessions without the added stress of physical movement or commuting.

Pain management techniques can be taught in both an in person and virtual platform. Beneficial tools and resources, such as guided relaxation techniques, biofeedback, self-regulation, and cognitive-behavioral strategies, can be practiced in real-time, whether you are in a pain flare or need to access it later.

Chronic illness requires a multidisciplinary approach. Telemental health platforms make collaboration between mental health professionals and other healthcare providers more efficient.

Living with a chronic illness already causes chronic stress. Getting the support you need and deserve should not be a stressful process. Traveling, waiting in unfamiliar places, or even just the act of getting ready to go out can exacerbate your pain and anxiety. Engaging in therapy from a familiar and comfortable environment can reduce these secondary stressors, giving you the space to fully engage and focus on your goals.

For those in severe pain or illness or who need more frequent support, telemental health can provide opportunities for more regular check-ins without the burden of regular travel.

Chronic pain affects not only the individual but also their family. Telemental health allows for easy inclusion of family members in sessions when necessary, facilitating family counseling and support. Lucy Dunning is licensed in several states and is able to facilitate therapy in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Coaching services are available throughout the United States.

Digital platforms can provide a wealth of information and resources related to pain management, coping strategies, and self-care that patients can access any time.

If you have assisted devices or specific furniture such as a recliner, you can set up your environment in a way that’s most comfortable for you, using pain-relief tools like heating pads, ergonomic chairs, or specific lighting during sessions. As a chronic pain patient, Lucy understands the importance of utilizing different devices to reach optimum comfort.

Utilizing telemental health gives you the option to find more providers who are specialized. It is difficult to find professionals that understand the experience of living with a chronic illness. As both a chronic illness patient and therapist, Lucy understands on a personal level the challenges that you experience in addition to being equipped with the tools and resources to provide support.