Event Calendar
Prev MonthPrev Month Next MonthNext Month
First Friday Forum: Utilizing Psychosocial and Rehabilitative Approaches to Facilitate Improved Functioning Among Patients with Chronic Pain
Metropolitan State University, St. Paul Campus – Founders Hall Auditorium
700 E 7th Street
St. Paul, MN 55106
Friday, September 01, 2017, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Category: First Friday Forum (CE)

Utilizing Psychosocial and Rehabilitative Approaches to Facilitate Improved Functioning Among Patients with Chronic Pain

Friday, September 1, 2017
Registration: 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Program: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Friday Forums are cosponsored with the
Metropolitan State University Psychology Department

About the Program

Chronic pain is a major public health concern with profound negative effects on the well-being of millions of Americans. A 2011 report published by the Institute of Medicine estimates that 115 million US citizens experience chronic noncancer pain. Equally as staggering is the estimated 600 billion dollars spent annually on direct and indirect costs associated with treatment. Despite advancements in pain medicine and new surgical and interventional procedures, these costs continue. Strong empirical evidence implicates psychosocial factors in the development of chronic pain conditions and the maintenance of subsequent disability. This reality underscores the importance of the involvement of clinical psychologists in the management of chronic pain. This program will assist mental health providersin recognizing their critical role in the field of pain management and developing a better understanding of core components of empirically-supported psychosocial treatment approaches for chronic pain. Topics reviewed and discussed with the audience will include: 1) biopsychosocial models of chronic pain and psychosocial variables that contribute to pain disability; 2) the necessary components of a comprehensive, psychosocial pain assessment; 3) problems associated with chronic opioid use; and 4) a review of empirically-based cognitive behavioral and rehabilitative treatment approaches for chronic pain.

This session qualifies for 3.0 continuing education credits. You must attend the full 3-hour program to get continuing education credit for the event.

Participants will be able to:

  1. Describe the psychosocial model of chronic pain.
  2. Identify core components of psychosocial pain assessments.
  3. Explain potential dangers associated with the use of opioid therapy for chronic pain.
  4. Implement psychosocial interventions shown to be efficacious in the treatment of chronic pain.

About the Presenters:

Wesley P. Gilliam, Ph.D., LP, is Assistant Professor of Psychology in Mayo Clinic’s College of Medicine and Clinical Director of Mayo Clinic Adult Pain Rehabilitation Center. His primary research interests include biopsychosocial conceptualizations of chronic pain, the degree to which psychosocial factors influence acute and chronic pain intensity, underlying pathways by which psychosocial factors exert such effects, and the degree to which these factors predict response to chronic pain treatment.  Dr. Gilliam graduated from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in 2011 with a degree in Clinical Psychology.

Eleshia Morrison, Ph.D., LP, assistant professor of psychology, is a clinical health psychologist at the Mayo Clinic Adult Pain Rehabilitation Center.  Her clinical and research interests include psychological correlates of chronic pain, young adult pain rehabilitation, the impact of chronic pain on sexual health, and health disparity/diversity factors impacting illness trajectories and health behaviors.  Dr. Morrison completed her doctoral degree in clinical psychology at The Ohio State University (Columbus, OH), clinical internship at Rush University Medical Center (Chicago, IL) and a postdoctoral fellowship in Medical Psychology at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN).

The Minnesota Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.  The Minnesota Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS:  If you need disability related accommodations, including parking, to make this event accessible, please contact the Metropolitan State University Center for Accessibility Resources, 651-793-1549, or [email protected]

To Register:

Register Online

Click here for a pdf Registration Form 

Refund/Cancellation Policy: A 100% refund will be made if the event is cancelled. Refunds, less a $5 handling free, will be given if a written cancellation is received at least two working days before the scheduled program begins. Transfer of fee to another program is granted if written cancellation notice is received at least one day before the program. No refund or transfer is given the day of the program.


Contact: Rhea Sullivan, (952) 564-3048