Abstract

Pain affects more than 50 million Americans annually, costs over 150 billion dollars each year in healthcare and legal expenses, and results in decreased work productivity and missed work days (Ballantyne, 2006; Boll, Raczynski, & Leviton, 2004; Thom, 2004). It is estimated that chronic pain negatively impacts 15% to 33% of the US population (Bokarius et al., 2008). Third-wave acceptance-based therapies, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), have demonstrated significant improvements in mental health functioning for a variety of populations (Carmody & Baer, 2008; Cusens, Duggan, Thome, & Burch, 2010). DBT, one of the primary treatment modalities for Borderline Personality Disorder, is now being utilized to treat mental health disorders including, more recently, the psychological component of chronic pain (Fruzzetti & Shenk, 2008; Linton, 2010). The purpose of this research is to discuss the application of DBT in the psychotherapy of individuals who present with the psychological sequelae of chronic pain. This study results in an innovative and comprehensive group therapy manual that integrates DBT skills in the treatment of chronic pain.

LLU Discipline

Psychology

Department

Psychology

School

School of Science and Technology

First Advisor

Adam L. Aréchiga

Second Advisor

Kendal C. Boyd

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2011

Date (Title Page)

9-2011

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Chronic pain -- Psychological aspects. Chronic pain -- Treatment; Chronic Pain -- psychology; Chronic Pain -- therapy; Pain Management; Behavior Therapy -- methods; Cognitive Therapy.; Dialectical behavior therapy.

Type

Thesis

Page Count

viii; 78

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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