VHA Pain Management
Pain Management - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP)
PROVIDERS - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP)
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP) as an effective treatment for reducing the negative impacts of chronic pain on Veterans’ lives.
CBT-CP equips individuals with an active, problem-solving approach to manage and decrease the challenges associated with chronic pain. By understanding helpful strategies, it is possible to change one’s pain experience, physically and emotionally.
The goals of CBT-CP are to help Veterans:
• Increase participation in meaningful activities
• Manage pain flare-ups more effectively
• Decrease pain intensity
• Reduce worries about increased pain or injury
• Improve overall quality of life
By focusing on self-management of pain through shaping expectations, increasing activity, and improving mindset, the “volume” on pain can be turned down.
CBT-CP is available to Veterans throughout the VA health care system. Please encourage Veterans with pain to take advantage of the accessibility of CBT-CP within VA. Share the CBT-CP Veteran Brochure (below) with your patients so they can learn more. Refer them to a clinician who can help today! If you are unsure who offers CBT-CP treatment at your facility, contact the Local Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Coordinator who can help facilitate a referral for treatment. You may also contact the VA CBT-CP National Training Program at CBT-CPStaff@va.gov for assistance with finding a CBT-CP clinician near you.
What exactly does CBT-CP look like? Access VA’s Therapist Manual and examples of sessions and structure below:
| Title | Link |
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Chronic Pain - Therapist Manual | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Chronic Pain - Therapist Manual (PDF) |
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Chronic Pain - Clinician Fact Sheet | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Chronic Pain - Clinician Fact Sheet (PDF) |
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Chronic Pain - Veterans Brochure | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Chronic Pain - Veterans Brochure (PDF) |
| Video Vignettes Title | Video Link |
| CBT- CP: Treatment Models | https://bcove.video/2xXSSfn* |
| CBT-CP: SMART Goals | https://bcove.video/2P6DJ1I * |
| CBT-CP: Kinesiophobia and Walking | https://bcove.video/2xV8lgf * |
| CBT-CP: Time-Based Pacing | https://bcove.video/2P73Q8O * |
| CBT-CP: Relaxation Techniques | https://bcove.video/2DS2eyz * |
| CBT:CP: Pleasant Activities | https://bcove.video/2PczfXm * |
| CBT-CP: Cognitive Coping | https://bcove.video/2y1Zj1d * |
| CBT-CP: Discharge Planning | https://bcove.video/2xP7T39 * |
Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (Brief CBT-CP)
Brief CBT-CP was developed to address the need for a brief, focused non-pharmacological intervention for chronic pain in primary care. This protocol was designed for delivery by Primary Care-Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) providers but can be used by other qualified behavioral health providers who are looking to address chronic pain earlier in the trajectory of care with a brief protocol.
| Title | Link |
| Brief CBT-CP - Therapist Manual | Brief Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Chronic Pain: Therapist Manual (PDF) |
| Brief CBT-CP – Patient Guidebook | Brief Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Chronic Pain: Patient Guidebook (PDF) |
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Headache Diseases (CBT-HA)
CBT-HA was developed to better address the needs of Veterans with various types of headaches. This treatment can be used by behavioral health providers across the continuum of care. Find the complete therapist manual in the table below which includes all the accompanying patient worksheets. They are also available separately with PDF links if helpful.
| Title | Link |
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Headache Diseases - Therapist Manual | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Headache Diseases - Therapist Manual (PDF) |
| CBT-HA Worksheet: Headache Diseases | A-1 (PDF) |
| CBT-HA Worksheet: Headache Diary | B-1 (PDF) |
| CBT-HA Worksheet: Relaxation Strategies | C-1 (PDF) |
| CBT-HA Worksheet: Contributing Factors | D-1 (PDF) |
| CBT-HA Worksheet: Goal Setting | DD-1 (PDF) |
| CBT-HA Worksheet: Muscle Stretches | E-1 (PDF) |
| CBT-HA Worksheet: Getting to Know You | F-1 (PDF) |
| CBT-HA Worksheet: Combatting Unhelpful Thoughts | G-1 (PDF) |
| CBT-HA Worksheet: Thought Log | H-1 (PDF) |
| CBT-HA Worksheet: Planning Ahead | I-I (PDF) |
Learn more about how CBT-HA can help with this video
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP) Resource Topics
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