Chronic pain is a complex and often misunderstood condition that can significantly impact mental health and overall well-being. Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) is an evidence-based approach designed to help individuals reframe their perception of pain and reduce symptoms by targeting the brain’s interpretation of pain signals.
This course provides mental health professionals with an introduction to the principles and techniques of PRT. Participants will explore the neuroscience behind pain perception, learn how to identify maladaptive pain pathways and discover therapeutic interventions that empower clients to rewire their brains for relief. The course will include a case study, practical applications, and discussions on integrating PRT into clinical practice for conditions such as fibromyalgia, back pain, and other forms of chronic pain.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to
- Understand the neuroscience of chronic pain and how the brain contributes to pain perception.
- Explain the core principles of Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and how it differs from traditional pain management approaches.
- Identify common psychological factors that reinforce chronic pain conditions.
Syllabus:
Introduction
- Welcome and Overview
Objective #1: Understand the neuroscience of chronic pain and how the brain contributes to pain perception
- Recognize the biopsychosocial model; nociceptive vs. neuropathic vs. nociplastic mechanisms; central sensitization (plain language)
- Discuss clinical heuristics for nociplastic patterns and red-flag reminders
- Understand the fear-avoidance cycle (threat appraisal, hypervigilance, deconditioning)
Objective #2: Explain core principles of Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and how it differs from traditional approaches
- Review the therapist stance & language shifts in PRT; review how PRT integrates with CBT/ACT/mindfulness and PT
- Learn core skills of PRT, including—somatic tracking (curious attention + safety language), cognitive reappraisal, graded exposure to feared movements, and brief emotional awareness
- Understand reattribution (damage → sensitivity/over-protection) and safety learning
Objective #3: Identify common psychological factors that reinforce chronic pain conditions
- Understand catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, safety behaviors, low self-efficacy, linking stress/sleep/mood
- Identify brief assessment tools such as the PEG and PROMIS for data tracking
- Understand somatic presentations of trauma and mood disorders
- Understand how to apply PRT to cases such as fibromyalgia, and others where an exposure ladder and flare navigation plan can be useful
- Identify documentation strategies to utilize when using PRT as an intervention
Key takeaways/Q&A
- Key takeaways and reflections
- Open discussion and final thoughts
Social workers completing this course receive 1.5 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 1.5 Clinical continuing education training.
Instructor: Samantha Silverberg-Stout, Ph.D., L.P.C.
Recording Date: September 16, 2025
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1.5hrs Clinical continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
System Requirements: Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Safari, Edge on any modern operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS). A desktop browser is recommended. We do not provide support resources for issues encountered using a mobile device.
Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com
