Uncovering and Resolving Social Conflicts Contributing to Chronic Pain: Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy

Chronic pain is pain experienced on most days for three months or more. It is one of the most frequent patient reported problems. It can be a primary or a secondary symptom. A number of psychological factors predict the development and impact of chronic pain. Adverse social experiences as well as stressful conflictual interpersonal interactions can precipitate and exacerbate chronic pain. Emotional awareness and expression therapy (EAET) is an approach to addressing interpersonal and emotional conflict with patients with chronic pain. The core principles of EAET and the life stress interview protocol are described and illustrated.