Treating the whole person, not just the pain.

Chronic pain doesn’t only affect the body. It can shape how a person sleeps, how they relate to the people around them, how they approach work, and how they feel about the future. That’s not a separate problem from the pain – it’s part of it.

At Pain Consultants of East Tennessee, behavioral health is integrated into how we think about care. Our Behavioral Medicine Institute is staffed by doctoral-level clinicians who specialize in the psychological dimensions of chronic pain – and who work alongside the rest of the PCET clinical team to support each patient’s overall well-being.

The Mind-Body Connection in Chronic Pain

Research has long established that chronic pain and mental health are interconnected. Pain can contribute to changes in mood, sleep, energy, and motivation. At the same time, stress, anxiety, and depression can influence how pain is experienced and processed – not because pain is psychological in origin, but because the nervous system doesn’t separate physical sensation from emotional state as cleanly as we might expect.

Understanding this connection is not about minimizing the physical reality of pain. It’s about treating the whole person.

What PCET’s Behavioral Medicine Institute Offers

The Behavioral Medicine Institute at PCET is staffed by licensed doctoral-level clinicians with specialized training in chronic pain and health psychology. The team includes:

  • Brianne Blevins, PsyD
  • Savanna Shepherd, PsyD
  • Laura Stockdale, MSN, PhD

Services through the Behavioral Medicine Institute may include psychological evaluation, individual therapy, and targeted support for the emotional and functional challenges that often accompany living with persistent pain. Because the team practices within PCET, care is coordinated – your behavioral health provider can communicate directly with your physician or nurse practitioner as part of your overall treatment plan.

How Behavioral Health Fits Into a Treatment Plan

Behavioral health is not a standalone track – it’s one component of a comprehensive, individualized approach to pain care. It may be recommended alongside interventional procedures, medication management, physical or occupational therapy, or remote therapeutic monitoring, depending on what a patient needs.

Common areas where behavioral health support may be helpful include:

  • Developing coping strategies for managing pain day to day
  • Addressing sleep disruption related to chronic pain
  • Navigating mood changes, frustration, or grief that can accompany long-term health challenges
  • Setting functional goals and building toward greater participation in daily activities
  • Preparing for or recovering from procedures

Every patient is different, and not every treatment plan will include a behavioral health component. But for patients who could benefit, having that support available within the same practice removes a significant barrier to access.

Why Integration Matters

One of the most common challenges patients with chronic pain face is navigating a fragmented healthcare system – seeing multiple providers in different locations who may or may not communicate with one another. At PCET, behavioral health is part of the team, not a referral to another building.

That integration means patients don’t have to tell their story over and over. It means care decisions can be made with the full picture in view. And it means that when a patient is struggling – not just physically, but emotionally – there’s a path forward within the same practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pain psychologist?

A pain psychologist is a licensed doctoral-level clinician who specializes in helping patients understand and manage the psychological, emotional, and behavioral aspects of living with chronic pain. They use evidence-based approaches to support coping, function, and quality of life.

Does seeing a behavioral health provider mean my pain isn’t real?

No. Behavioral health support is a component of comprehensive pain care, not a replacement for medical treatment. It reflects an understanding that chronic pain affects the whole person – including mood, sleep, relationships, and daily functioning.

What kinds of behavioral health services does PCET offer?

PCET’s Behavioral Medicine Institute provides psychological evaluation, individual therapy, and support for the emotional and functional challenges that often accompany chronic pain. Services are integrated within the practice so care is coordinated across the clinical team.

How does behavioral health fit into a pain management treatment plan?

Behavioral health is one component of a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan. It may be recommended alongside interventional procedures, medication management, or physical rehabilitation depending on the patient’s needs and goals.

Do I have to be referred internally to see a behavioral health provider at PCET?

For the most accurate information about how to access PCET’s Behavioral Medicine Institute services, contact the practice directly at (865) 579-0552.

Want to Schedule an Appointment? Give Us a Call

Pain Consultants of East Tennessee (865) 579-0552

Knoxville: 1540 Member Lane, Suite 100, TN 37909 Oak Ridge: 575 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Suite 110, TN 37830