Thank you for taking the time to explore how counselling might support the patients you care for. I’m Andrej Klimo, a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor based in Nanaimo, BC, specializing in emotional support for people living with chronic pain.
Many of your patients have already tried a wide range of treatments. They may feel stuck or discouraged when pain doesn’t respond as expected to physical interventions. In many cases, this is because pain has an emotional layer—either as a root cause or as a result of living in pain for so long.
This is where counselling can help.
Chronic pain often reflects a complex interaction between the body and nervous system, past experiences, and emotional holding patterns. Some clients are carrying the weight of:
Grief, anxiety, or anger held in the body
Long-term stress that keeps the nervous system on high alert
Trauma or protective responses that manifest physically
Pain also takes an emotional toll over time—eroding trust in the body, disrupting relationships, and increasing fear or isolation. Counselling offers space to explore these layers and reconnect with the body in a new way.
When pain is met with emotional understanding and self-compassion, the nervous system can begin to soften. The body often follows.
Andrej Klimo, RTC
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
I came to this work through personal experience. For years, I lived with chronic back pain and sciatica. I tried everything physically—physiotherapy, massage, posture work—but nothing seemed to offer lasting relief.
Eventually, I turned inward. I explored the emotional roots of what my body was holding: tension from years of stress, unexpressed emotion, and protective patterns I hadn’t been aware of. That changed everything.
Now, as a counsellor, I help others walk a similar path—one that’s curious, compassionate, and grounded in the body’s wisdom.
My primary modality is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT helps people shift their relationship with pain—from resistance and fear to curiosity and flexibility.
It’s not about fixing symptoms. Instead, ACT supports clients in noticing their experiences without being overwhelmed, clarifying what matters to them, and taking steps toward healing—even when pain is present.
Research shows ACT reduces pain interference, improves emotional wellbeing, and enhances daily functioning (Veehof et al., 2016).
Clients often describe feeling more grounded, more capable, and more at ease in their bodies—even if the pain hasn’t disappeared.
I support adults dealing with chronic pain, fatigue, stress-related symptoms, and trauma. Many have conditions like back pain, fibromyalgia, headaches, or nervous system dysregulation.
You can simply offer a rack or referral card, or mention counselling as an option. Patients can book a free 15-minute call to see if it’s a fit.
Only with patient consent. If collaboration would support the client’s care, I’m happy to connect and share insights.
Many extended health plans in BC cover sessions with a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC). Clients should check with their provider.
Do you have more questions? Check out my FAQ page.
We know that chronic pain is not just physical—but patients don’t always hear it that way.
For some, suggesting counselling might feel confusing or even dismissive. They may think it implies the pain is “all in their head.” There’s still stigma around mental health and counselling, especially when someone has spent years seeking physical answers.
That’s why the way you introduce it matters. Here are some ways to talk about counselling with compassion and clarity, while avoiding shame or invalidation.
Start by validating what the patient is going through. For example:
“I know you’ve worked really hard to find relief.”
“I can see how much this pain has taken from you.”
“It’s clear that your pain is real, and you’re not imagining it.”
Then, introduce counselling as a complement, not a contradiction, to the physical care they’re receiving:
“Our bodies and emotions are deeply connected. Sometimes stress, grief, or even long-past experiences can keep the nervous system in a state that makes healing harder.”
“This pain is real. Counselling just gives space to explore whether anything else might be adding to the load.”
“Counselling doesn’t mean the pain isn’t physical—it just helps explore other layers that might be involved.”
“This isn’t about fixing you. It’s about helping you build a new relationship with your body and with the pain.”
“Some people find that emotional stress can keep the body stuck, even when they’re doing everything right physically.”
“It’s another layer of support. We can keep working on the physical side while you explore what the pain might be trying to communicate.”
“If you’re open to it, I can give you a card for someone I trust who works with chronic pain in this way.”
“You don’t have to decide right now. Some people find counselling helpful, and if that ever feels right for you, it’s an option.”
“You’ve done so much already—this is just another avenue that might help shift things.”
The Body Keeps the Score
by Bessel van der Kolk
A leading book on how trauma and emotional pain are stored in the body — and what healing can look like.
The Mindbody Prescription by Dr. John Sarno
A foundational book that explores how chronic pain and physical symptoms can stem from repressed emotions like anger, fear, and stress — even when no physical cause is found.
ACT Made Simple by Russ Harris
A clear and practical guide to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), focused on building emotional flexibility and helping clients live meaningfully — even in the presence of pain or discomfort.
