An Introduction to the Fundamentals of Treating Chronic Pain in Adults from a Cognitive Behavioral Perspective
January 30 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
An Introduction to the Fundamentals of Treating Chronic Pain in Adults from a Cognitive Behavioral Perspective
Friday, January 30, 2026
Registration 8:30am Program 9am to 12pm
Presented By: Mark D. Cassano, Psy.D.
Location: Online Workshop
***Deadline to register is January 28, 2026 at 9am***
3 CE Credits
This presentation on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP) will explore how cognitive and behavioral interventions can enhance adult individuals’ ability to cope with pain and improve overall quality of life. The presentation will begin with establishing a foundational understanding of pain and its impact on biological, psychological, and social well-being, including a brief history and overview of contemporary pain theories. Chronic pain will then be examined through a CBT lens, followed by a detailed review of the CBT-CP treatment protocol. Participants will learn and practice specific interventions for managing chronic pain by applying discussed skills to a mock case. The workshop will conclude with a discussion of assessment and evaluation methods to guide clinical practice.
Objectives:
- Describe and compare the characteristics of acute vs. chronic pain, including key biological, psychological, and social features.
- Explain and discuss contemporary pain theories and apply them to conceptualize chronic pain within a biopsychosocial framework.
- Identify, list, and describe common CBT-CP protocol formats and demonstrate how core CBT-CP interventions are used to address chronic pain symptoms and related impairments.
- Analyze and critique how cultural, social, and contextual factors influence assessment, treatment planning, and client engagement in CBT-based chronic pain care.
Dr. Mark Cassano is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in helping individuals address and manage co-occurring mental and physical health concerns. He earned both his master’s degree in Counseling and Clinical Health Psychology and his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). Dr. Cassano has centered his career around educating and collaborating with healthcare professionals to promote integrated, whole-person care. He has extensive experience working within interdisciplinary medical teams to deliver patient-centered care for individuals coping with a broad range of mental and physical health challenges. His clinical expertise includes supporting patients in managing chronic health conditions and making meaningful lifestyle changes that promote personal growth and healing. More specifically, he has received specialized training in the treatment of chronic pain, insomnia, nicotine cessation, sexual dysfunction, and obesity. Currently, Dr. Cassano serves as the Director of Behavioral Sciences for the Penn Medicine Family Medicine Residency at Chester County Hospital. In this role, he develops and leads the residency’s behavioral health curriculum, provides clinical supervision to doctoral psychology trainees, and maintains an active clinical caseload. In addition to his clinical and supervisory work, Dr. Cassano teaches courses in counseling and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as an adjunct professor in PCOM’s Master’s in Mental Health Counseling program.
PSCP: The Psychology Network is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. PSCP: The Psychology network maintains responsibility for this program and its content.