Appalachian Psychoanalytic Society
a local chapter of the Division 39 of the American Psychological Association
presents a
Saturday Morning Seminar
with
Lindsey C. McKernan, PhD, MPH
on
When Pain Persists:
Psychotherapy Approaches
for Complex, Chronic Conditions
Saturday, November 8, 2025
8:30am - 12:10pm
University of Tennessee Medical Center
Morrison Education and Conference Center
1924 Alcoa Highway
Knoxville, TN 37920
Description of Program
Chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPCs) represent a group of ten common chronic pain disorders that account for nearly 30% of all primary care visits. These conditions disproportionately affect women, involve complex and often disabling pain patterns, lack observable pathology on standard medical tests, and are linked by a shared mechanism of sensory hypersensitivity known as central sensitization.
This intermediate-level presentation will examine COPCs, including their symptom presentations, psychosocial impact, and the influence of trauma on symptom expression. The session will also address common challenges that arise in the treatment of individuals with COPCs and their implications for the psychotherapy relationship. In the second half of the presentation, attention will turn to evidence-based approaches for supporting individuals with complex pain presentations. Findings from recent and ongoing clinical trials of tailored short-term psychotherapy (NCT#04275297, K23DK118118/R01DK133415) and a clinical hypnosis program (NCT#03384953) will be reviewed to illustrate practical strategies for symptom management.
Presenter
Lindsey C. McKernan, PhD, MPH, is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Nashville and an Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and Urology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Tennessee and a Master’s of Public Health in Epidemiology from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Dr. McKernan has extensive research training in clinical trials and patient-centered outcomes research. At VUMC, she directs both the APPIC-accredited internship and fellowship programs in Health Psychology. Nationally recognized for her expertise in patient-centered pain care, Dr. McKernan is independently funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK; R01DK133415) to investigate non-pharmacological interventions for urologic pain. Her research program is deeply informed by clinical practice, with a focus on developing accessible and effective interventions for individuals with complex and understudied conditions pain conditions. She has led multiple federally funded projects, including randomized clinical trials of cognitive-behavioral therapy and hypnosis for pelvic pain, studies of stress and bladder sensation (R01DK129624), and investigations into the role of central sensitization in overactive bladder (R01DK128293). Dr. McKernan’s long-term goal is to advance psychological intervention integration and trauma awareness in medical settings. Her research and work on stress regulation has been featured at the National Institute of Health, King’s College London, and via media outlets including U.S. News and People Magazine.
Schedule
8:30am Registration
8:55am Welcome and Introduction
9:00am Understanding Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions: Central Sensitization, Trauma, and the Psychotherapy Relationship
10:30am Break
10:40am Translating Research into Practice: Tailored Psychotherapy and Clinical Hypnosis for Symptom Relief
12:10pm Complete Evaluations and Adjourn.
Learning Objectives
After attending this intermediate-level program in full, participants will be able to:
1. Identify the core clinical features of chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPCs) and explain their relationship to central sensitization.
2. Analyze how trauma history and experiences in medical treatment can influence the presentation and psychotherapy experiences of individuals with COPCs.
3. Identify strategies to tailor psychological intervention approaches to complex pain presentations.
Participants
This program is open to all APS members and other interested mental health professionals who may not be members. It is not limited to individuals practicing in a predominately psychoanalytic mode. The material will be appropriate for clinicians with intermediate levels of experience and knowledge.
Registration Fees and Policies
BY November 3, 2025:
Professional Members and Scholar Members: $45
Non-members: $60
Early-Career Professional Members: $35
Graduate Student Members: Free.
AFTER November 3, 2025:
Professional Members and Scholar Members: $60
Non-members: $75
Early-Career Professional Members: $50.
Graduate Student Members: Free
Registration will close on November 7, 2025.
Although walk-ins will be accepted, please register online at www.aps-tn.wildapricot.org in advance to assure adequate food and seating.
If you prefer to pay by check, please print the Program Registration form, and mail with your payment to:
Rebecca Skadberg, PhD
APS Treasurer
3400 Tupelo Way
Knoxville, TN 37912.
Refunds honored with written/electronic notice at least 48 hours before date of program. Contact Rebecca Skadberg, PhD.
Contact the APS President Joyce Cartor, PhD to negotiate fees, if needed.
Facility is accessible to persons who are physically challenged. If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address requests, questions, concerns and any complaints to Joyce Cartor, PhD.
APS Membership
Eligible professionals can join APS or renew their membership for the 2025-2026 program year for $120. Scholars can join/renew for $80 and Early-Career Professionals can join/renew for $65. Graduate students may join or renew for $25.
American Psychological Association Approval Statement
Division 39 is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Division 39 maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Continuing Education
This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 3 continuing education credits. With full attendance (sign-in at start of program) and completion of a program Evaluation and Learning Assessment, a certificate will be issued. Psychologists will have their participation registered through Division 39. Partial credit is not available for partial attendance.
APS and Division 39 are committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. APS and Division 39 are also committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in continuing education activities. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods.
Selected References/Recommended Reading
Maixner, W., Fillingim, R. B., Williams, D. A., Smith, S. B., & Slade, G. D. (2016). Overlapping chronic pain conditions: implications for diagnosis and classification. The Journal of Pain, 17(9), T93-T107.
Williams, D. A. (2018). Phenotypic features of central sensitization. Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research, 23(2), e12135.
McKernan, L. C., Johnson, B. N., Crofford, L. J., Lumley, M. A., Bruehl, S., & Cheavens, J. S. (2019). Posttraumatic stress symptoms mediate the effects of trauma exposure on clinical indicators of central sensitization in patients with chronic pain. The Clinical Journal of Pain, 35(5), 385-393.
McKernan, L. C., Johnson, B. N., Reynolds, W. S., Williams, D. A., Cheavens, J. S., Dmochowski, R. R., & Crofford, L. J. (2019). Posttraumatic stress disorder in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: Relationship to patient phenotype and clinical practice implications. Neurourology and Urodynamics, 38(1), 353-362.
McKernan, L. C., McGonigle, T., Vandekar, S. N., Crofford, L. J., Williams, D. A., Clauw, D. J., ... & Reynolds, W. S. (2024). A randomized-controlled pilot trial of telemedicine-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy tailored for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. Pain, 165(8), 1748-1760.
Contact
If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address requests, questions, concerns and any complaints to the APS President Joyce Cartor, PhD.
There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between Division 39, APS, presenters, program content, research, grants or other funding sources that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest. During the program, the validity/utility of the content and risks/limitations of the approaches discussed will be addressed.