Chronic pain isn’t just physical—it’s personal, emotional, and deeply misunderstood. And when it comes to older adults, the pain often hides in plain sight. In this episode, I sit down with pain psychology expert, Dr. Jennifer Steiner, to explore the invisible impact of chronic pain and what every therapist must understand to truly help older adults living with it.

You’ll walk away with a fresh perspective—and four critical psychological themes—that can transform the way you support older adults in your practice.

Here’s What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The real size of the chronic pain epidemic—and why it’s often underestimated in older adults

• Common pain conditions affecting people 65+

• Dr. Steiner’s personal journey from growing up with chronic pain to becoming a national leader in pain psychology

• How chronic pain influences mental health, identity, relationships, and work

• 4 psychological themes every therapist must recognize when treating chronic pain:

  1. The Body as an Obstacle

  2. Pain is Invisible—and Real

  3. Disrupted Sense of Self

  4. Unpredictability of the Condition

Key Takeaways

• Chronic pain is not just a physical issue—it’s deeply psychological.
  Older adults face unique mental health challenges stemming from pain that disrupts their identity, relationships, and everyday life.

• Invisible pain is real and often stigmatized.
  Without visible signs, older adults may face disbelief and invalidation from loved ones and even providers, which can deepen distress and isolation.

• Therapists play a pivotal role in restoring agency.
  Helping clients reframe their experience, process grief, and develop adaptive coping can dramatically improve quality of life.

• Stigma, unpredictability, and loss of self are therapeutic entry points.
  Use these psychological themes to build deeper, more effective interventions for older adults living with chronic pain.

Resources:

• Therapists: Download your free guide on the Depression-Pain Cycle 
• Become a sought after specialist with our Pain Psychology Certificate Course (14.5 CE Credits), where’s you’ll learn ACT and CBT for Chronic Pain, as well as strategies to address bias in pain care.
• Find a board certified heath psychologist

Related Articles + Podcasts:

• Pain In Older Adults: FAQs About Chronic Pain and Aging
• Acceptance of Pain Relieves Suffering: A Pain Expert Explains
• Pain Management in Older Adults: 5 Must Know Caregiving Tips
• Chronic Pain and Aging: 4 Themes Therapists Must Know
• Chronic Pain and Depression: Breaking the Cycle with Mental Health Care

CEU Courses:

• Pain Psychology Certificate Course (14.5 CE Credits): learn ACT and CBT for Chronic Pain, as well as strategies to address bias in pain care.
• ACT for Chronic Pain (5.5 CE Credits)
• CBT for Chronic Pain (6 CE Credits)
• Impact of Bias on Pain Care (3 CE Credits) 

Remember…

It’s only with your help that we can meet the mental health needs of older adults. So thank you for being here—and thank you for doing your part.

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