Coping with Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Clinical Training Manual for Mental Health Professionals

Fibromyalgia Syndrome is a chronic pain disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, cognitive dysfunction, and psychological distress. Although there currently is no cure for the syndrome, multidisciplinary treatment has been shown to be effective at managing symptom severity and improving quality of life. Psychotherapeutic treatment has been identified as an important part of the treatment process. Counseling psychologists are well positioned to pursue such work, as they emphasize a consideration for the individual within his or her own context. However, there currently is no integrated resource to help guide such practitioners in therapeutic work with people who have a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia Syndrome. This project sought to develop such a guide and the resulting manual provides a comprehensive overview of the syndrome and considerations for therapeutic intervention. A summary of the current literature is offered, covering the syndrome’s history, symptom profile, and pathophysiology. A number of therapeutic approaches are reviewed, various intervention strategies are introduced, and the existing treatment effectiveness and efficacy literature is outlined. It is proposed that the completed manual will hosted online on an independent website and available as a free download