Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain to Improve Functioning Among Veterans

Brief CBT-CP is a manualized protocol that includes six, 30-minute sessions over the course of 6-12 weeks. Session one focuses on foundational pain education and the development of treatment goals. Session two emphasizes balanced engagement in physical activity and pleasurable events. Session three emphasizes skills training for easily implemented relaxation techniques. Sessions four and five focus on recognizing and modifying unhelpful thoughts that negatively impact pain. Session six focuses on relapse prevention and independent implementation of CBT-CP skills following treatment.

Participants assigned to TAU will receive standard medical care from their primary care provider including pain medications, brief advice (e.g., use of relative rest, application of heat or ice, other self-care strategies), or referral to pain-related adjunctive interventions (e.g., physical therapy), as indicated.