8 million people in Canada have chronic pain and this number is growing (Government of Canada, 2021). Occupational therapy professionals therefore encounter many clients experiencing chronic pain in a variety of practice settings. Several evidence-informed self-management techniques can support people living with pain, including meditation (e.g., la Cour & Petersen, 2015), cognitive behaviour therapy (e.g., Knoerl et al., 2016), acceptance and commitment therapy (e.g., Hughes et al., 2017), expressive writing (e.g., Ziemer, 2014), gratitude journalling (e.g., Boggiss et al., 2020) and visualization (e.g., Álvarez-García & Yaban, 2020). Occupational therapy professionals can teach these self-management techniques to help people with pain participate in their meaningful occupations.

This workshop is ideal for occupational therapy professionals who wish to increase their understanding of chronic pain and strategies that can be used to support people living with pain. An overview of chronic pain and the occupational therapy role will be provided. Participants will gain fundamental information on how the following self-management techniques can support people living with pain: meditation, cognitive behaviour therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, expressive writing, gratitude journalling, sensory modulation and visualization exercises. Lecture, self-reflection, case studies, and group discussion will be utilized to assist you in furthering your knowledge and clinical reasoning.

Preliminary workshop agenda

Learning objectives:

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

1. Define chronic pain.
2. Understand the occupational therapy role in supporting people living with pain.
3. Describe how meditation and visualization exercises can support people living with pain.
4. Describe how cognitive behaviour therapy can support people living with pain.
5. Describe how acceptance and commitment therapy can support people living with pain.
6. Describe how expressive writing and gratitude journalling can support people living with pain.
7. Describe how sensory modulation can support people living with pain.

Target audience:

Occupational therapists (OTs), occupational therapist assistants (OTAs), and students in occupational therapy or OTA/PTA programs who wish to gain knowledge on practical self-management strategies for people living with pain.  

Please note: Each participant is responsible to ensure they apply the information within the context of their licensure, provincial/territorial legislations, institution regulations, scope of practice, etc.

Areas of practice
Acute Care, Autism/Neurodiversity, Brain injury/Concussion/Spinal Cord, Caregiver/Family Education, Case Management, Chronic Disease Management, Chronic Pain, Generalist, Hand Therapy, Health Promotion & Wellness, Indigenous Health, MSK Rehabilitation, MVA Rehabilitation, Neurology, Older Adults, Orthopedics, Occupational Therapist Assistant, Palliative/EOL Care, Primary Care, Return to Work

Client age group
Adolescents (13-19 years old), Adults (20-64 years old), Older adults (65+ years old)

Workshop level
Beginner (0-2 years of experience in this specific practice area)

Please note: Participants with more than this stated level of experience are welcome to attend the workshop. The workshop content will be geared towards those with 0-2 years of experience.