Pain Psychology
Telemedicine Appointments – New!
To help our patients remain healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are now seeing patients via telemedicine. Patients who take advantage of our telemedicine appointments should have a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a working video camera and microphone.
To schedule an appointment, call Dr. Sarah Buday or Dr. Stephen Ristvedt at (314) 747-0202.
Pain Psychology is an important part of our interdisciplinary team approach to helping people with chronic pain. We recognize that chronic pain can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life, including physical functioning, relationships with family and friends, and financial security. A large number of people who develop chronic pain also develop problems with depression, anxiety, or panic. Those negative changes in emotional functioning can then, in turn, make the pain worse and contribute to a vicious cycle of pain. That is why we believe it is important to treat the “whole person.”
Our pain psychologists are trained to help people with chronic pain using evidence-based techniques such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), relaxation training, and supportive psychotherapy. You may choose to work with one of our pain psychologists in individual, one-on-one sessions or in our group pain management program. Both individual and group sessions focus on helping you to learn more effective ways to manage your pain and work toward a less stressful and more gratifying life.
Featured News
Assistant Professor and Pain Psychologist, Sarah Buday, PhD, was recently featured in the September issue of the American Psychological Association’s Monitor on Psychology.
Patients turn to psychologists for new chronic pain strategies in the COVID-19 era
While many people view pain as a physical experience, research suggests it’s much more complex, also stemming from psychological and social factors. Read more