Integrated Treatment Strategies for Chronic Pain and Opioid Management

The behavioral treatment strategies demonstrated in this video program are intended to assist therapists as they offer interventions to patients struggling with chronic pain and have relied on opioids at one point. This includes individuals considering deprescribing, in the process of opioid tapering, recently discontinued from opioids, or using opioids effectively for pain.

During the interview conducted by Dr. Michelle Siegel, Drs. Jennifer L. Murphy, and Samantha Rafie discuss the efficacy of their approach that integrates several behavioral strategies for managing chronic pain such as cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy.

Their approach is designed to help practitioners across healthcare disciplines better evaluate their patients, improve rapport and engagement, and equip their patients with the skills to reduce or manage chronic pain effectively, and improve their quality of life.

Throughout this video program, Drs. Jennifer L. Murphy and Samantha Rafie demonstrate their approach to therapy, separately, with a middle-aged male and female client, who are both suffering from chronic pain and wish to taper their dependency to pain medications.

This video features clients portrayed by actors on the basis of a composite of different cases.

Many patients seeking treatment for chronic pain are also managing opioid medications. While these topics are often separated in the literature, that does not reflect the realities of clinical practice.

Examining pain and opioid management together, from an integrated, behavioral standpoint, embraces a whole-person approach to care. This integration allows for cross-cutting strategies to be applied and maximizes the reduction of suffering.

With a population that often requires a higher level of care, addressing multiple concerns can be daunting for providers. Interventions demonstrated draw from cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction.

Particular attention is paid to integrating strategies for pain management with opioid medication use, based on shared treatment goals.

Jennifer L. Murphy, PhD, is a recognized authority and international speaker on optimizing behavioral treatments for chronic pain. She is the lead manual author, master trainer, and subject matter expert for the Department of Veterans Affairs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain treatment and associate professor in the University of South Florida’s Morsani College of Medicine. In her long-term role as clinical director of Tampa VA’s inpatient chronic pain rehabilitation program, Dr. Murphy provided clinical oversight for participants during opioid tapering. As a VA leader and active member of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, she has assisted in efforts to expand inclusion of behavioral health providers in pain care teams.

Dr. Murphy is co-investigator on numerous funded research trials, serves on the editorial board of Pain Medicine, and has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications. Her knowledge and insights regarding nonpharmacological options to assist those with chronic pain have been used to positively impact research, education, and clinical care for individuals and systems in the public and private sectors.

She lives in Tampa, Florida. Visit Jennifer.MurphyPhD.comopens in new window.

Samantha Rafie, PhD, served as a leader in behavioral pain management in tertiary-level programs through primary care within several Functional Restoration Programs across California to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and clinics. These programs included opioid tapering and medication-assisted treatment and detoxification.

She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and has taught future health care professionals as voluntary faculty at University of California, San Diego Health. Dr. Rafie specialized in pain management at the Tampa VA, where she completed her postdoctoral fellowship.

She is a former chair of American Pain Society’s ethics special interest group, and remains actively involved in the development of policy proposals regarding comprehensive, integrative pain management.

She lives in San Diego, California.

Murphy, J. L. & Rafie, S. (2020). Chronic Pain and Opioid Management: Strategies for Integrated Treatment. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

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APA Books

• Clinical Hypnosis for Pain Control
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• Cognitive Therapy
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• Critical Thinking About Research: Psychology and Related Fields, Second Edition
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• Handbook of Rehabilitation Psychology, Second Edition
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• Integrated Behavioral Health in Primary Care: Step-by-Step Guidance for Assessment and Intervention, Second Edition
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• Psychological Treatment for Patients With Chronic Pain
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• Strategic Decision Making in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
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