Although there is no magic pill to completely eliminate chronic pain, it is possible to change how it impacts your well-being, daily function, and relationships.
Chronic pain often leads to depression, anxiety, frustration, fatigue, impaired work performance, and difficulties in concentration and relationships. Addressing the emotional and psychological dimensions of chronic pain is essential for improving overall quality of life. At Manhattan Pain Medicine, we recognize that pain affects not only the body but also how you think, feel, and engage with the world around you.
A Comprehensive, Personalized Approach
Our integrated pain psychology services help you understand the interplay between pain, thoughts, and emotions, so you can develop effective coping strategies and pathways to resilience.
- We support you in identifying how stress affects your pain experience. Lowering stress is a key part of pain management, since stress can heighten your physical symptoms and amplify suffering.
- Tools such as a stress thermometer to help you recognize early signs of psychological distress, teaching you how to intervene before feelings become overwhelming.
- By making peace with pain, instead of fighting against it, you can shift from cycles of suffering to more adaptive, empowered living, even with ongoing symptoms.
We work collaboratively to help you:
- Reframe unhelpful patterns of thinking that can trap you in cycles of fear and anticipation of pain.
- Foster acceptance and self-compassion, so pain becomes just one part of your life, not the defining aspect.
- Cultivate gratitude, purpose, and meaning beyond your pain condition.
Evidence-Based Treatments
Pain psychology at our practice may include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction
- Relaxation techniques
- Biofeedback
- Traditional Oriental Medicine, such as acupuncture and Chinese herbology
Our approach blends Western health psychology and Eastern modalities to address physical and emotional stress, integrating evidence-based and holistic therapies tailored to your individual needs.
Building Hope and Resilience
We know that suffering is not simply about the presence of pain, but about how we relate to it. Anticipatory pain, worrying about pain before it starts, can amplify discomfort. We support you in breaking these cycles through practical tools, education, and ongoing encouragement.
Recovery is a journey. With hope, willingness, and support, you can develop new ways to cope and rediscover meaning and fulfillment, even while living with chronic pain.
While therapy may sometimes bring temporary emotional discomfort, our experienced psychologists strive to create a safe, supportive environment at every step. Our multidisciplinary, individualized care prioritizes your comfort, well-being, and goals, helping you regain function and improve your quality of life.
About Dr. Deborah Barbiere
Dr. Deborah Barbiere, Psy.D., L.Ac., is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and Diplomate in Acupuncture with over 25 years of experience specializing in pain psychology and integrative health. She earned her Doctorate in Psychology and holds a Master’s degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine, with advanced training in acupuncture, Oriental medicine, Chinese herbology, and biomedicine.
Dr. Barbiere blends Western psychological approaches and Eastern healing traditions in her work, emphasizing the integration of mind and body for optimal health. She provides psychotherapy, biofeedback, acupuncture, herbal medicine, stress management, and mind-body wellness services tailored to each individual’s needs. Her clinical practice addresses a wide spectrum of conditions including chronic pain, depression, anxiety, trauma, headaches, insomnia, and women’s health concerns.
Her career spans private practice as well as work and supervision in leading New York City hospitals and clinics, focusing on holistic, patient-centered care for those living with chronic pain and complex health issues. Dr. Barbiere is dedicated to maximizing each person’s innate healing potential and fostering equilibrium, symptom relief, and overall well-being through compassionate, individualized care.
