CBT Therapy for Fibromyalgia
Understanding Fibromyalgia
Living with fibromyalgia can affect far more than pain alone. You may find yourself having to think carefully about everyday activities, adjusting plans around fatigue or discomfort, worrying about whether particular tasks will make symptoms worse, or becoming frustrated by the unpredictability of how you feel from one day to the next.
Persistent pain and fatigue can understandably influence mood, sleep, relationships and the way you approach daily life. Over time, you may find yourself caught between trying to push through symptoms and avoiding activity altogether, with neither approach feeling particularly sustainable.
Psychological therapy does not assume that fibromyalgia is imaginary or simply caused by your thoughts. It can, however, help you explore the emotional and behavioural impact of living with persistent symptoms and develop more flexible ways of responding to pain, uncertainty and changes in what you are able to do.
AVAILABLE FACE-TO-FACE OR ONLINE
We're Ready to Help You
We offer all prospective clients an hour long, informal and confidential chat to discuss your pain-related worries for just £30.
There's no pressure to undertake any therapy going forward, no judgement from us and we're very friendly and easy to talk to!
♦ Ongoing sessions:
Typically weekly or fortnightly, tailored to your needs.
♦ Location:
Comfortable private setting near Wolverhampton / Wombourne, with free parking.
Secure online therapy available with Paul across the UK.
♦ Fees:
Ongoing sessions: £90/hr
Exacerbating Factors in Fibromyalgia
Various factors can exacerbate the fibromyalgia experience, often intertwining to create a complex web of challenges for those affected.
Emotional stress, whether from work, relationships, or life changes, can significantly heighten pain sensitivity, while physical inactivity may lead to stiffness and increased fatigue.
Sleep disturbances, commonly reported among fibromyalgia sufferers, can further amplify feelings of exhaustion and cognitive difficulties, often referred to as fibro fog.
Additionally, environmental stimuli such as weather changes or sensory overload from noise and light can trigger flare-ups, leaving individuals feeling overwhelmed.
By understanding these factors, individuals can better navigate their fibromyalgia journey, incorporating strategies that address both the physical and psychological aspects of the condition, paving the way for improved management and quality of life.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Fibromyalgia is often accompanied by a range of symptoms that can significantly impact daily life.
In addition to chronic widespread pain and fatigue, individuals may experience cognitive difficulties, commonly referred to as "fibro fog," which can include memory issues, trouble concentrating, and a general sense of mental cloudiness.
Other prevalent symptoms are disrupted sleep patterns, morning stiffness, and heightened sensitivity to external stimuli such as sound, light, and temperature.
Many sufferers also report issues such as headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, and mood disturbances like anxiety and depression.
Recognising the comprehensive nature of these symptoms is crucial for effective management of the condition.
Psychological therapy with paul
CBT Therapy Options for Fibromyalgia
ABOUT PAUL
Meet Paul Lee MSc
Hello, I'm Paul and I've been working with people as a psychologist, psychotherapist and coach since 2009. I have expert knowledge of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and adopt a non-medicalised philosophy when helping people overcome mental health challenges. This means that I will frame your current difficulties as being the result of what has happened to you rather than what is wrong with you.
What to Expect from Therapy
Therapy isn't something that is simply done to you. Although your therapist can provide understanding, guidance and practical psychological strategies, meaningful change usually develops through what you discover, practice and begin to do differently in your everyday life.
At Tranceform, we see therapy as a collaborative process. We'll work together to understand the patterns of thinking, feeling and behaviour that may be keeping the problem going, while helping you explore different ways of responding. Sometimes this involves questioning long-held assumptions, reducing avoidance or experimenting with behaviours that initially feel unfamiliar.
The aim isn't to make you dependent upon therapy or to promise a quick fix. It's to help you develop greater understanding, confidence and agency so that, over time, you become better equipped to manage difficulties for yourself.
Therapy provides the guidance. You provide the practice. We create the change together.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP