This presentation will explore the role of group psychotherapy as an evidence-based treatment for individuals living with chronic pain. Drawing from a meta-analysis of 29 randomized clinical trials involving more than 4,500 participants, the presentation will review evidence that group psychotherapy can reduce pain intensity while also improving pain interference, catastrophizing, depression, anxiety, and physical functioning. The presentation will also highlight potential mechanisms that make the group format particularly valuable for chronic pain, including social connection, cohesion, validation, and reduced fear and avoidance. Finally, practical implications for incorporating group-based psychological treatment into multidisciplinary pain care will be discussed.
Cameron Alldredge, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist working full-time as an associate research scientist in the Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory at Baylor University. He has published over 35 peer review articles and co-authored the book Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy: What You Need to Know.
