Occupational therapists' education includes the study of human growth and development with specific emphasis on the social, emotional, and physiological effects of illness and injury. The occupational therapist enters the field with a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree. Practitioners must complete supervised clinical internships in a variety of health care settings, and pass a national examination. Most states also regulate occupational therapy practice. After completing a Ph.D. program in psychology, some psychologists complete further training focusing specifically on the treatment of chronic pain.
Psychologists can help people with stress relief, as well as coping with chronic back or neck pain.
They can also treat depression, which is fairly common for patients suffering from chronic pain.