Chronic pain increases the risk for depression and suicide.

The connection between chronic pain and depression is stronger—and more dangerous—than most professionals realize. In this powerful episode, Dr. Regina Koepp sits down with pain psychology expert, Dr. Jennifer Steiner, to uncover the complex and bidirectional relationship between chronic pain, depression, and suicide risk.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why people living with chronic pain are twice as likely to experience suicidal thoughts and behaviors
• The true drivers of suicide risk in chronic pain—not just pain intensity, but emotional, relational, and financial strain
• How the brain’s stress response amplifies both physical pain and emotional suffering
• What research says about which comes first—pain or depression—and why it’s not always clear-cut
• How chronic pain affects sleep, cognition, and identity, creating a vicious cycle of distress
• The essential role of therapists trained in chronic pain in breaking this cycle
• What to look for in a therapist who can truly support someone living with chronic pain

Whether you’re a therapist, psychologist, social worker, or aging life care expert—this episode will transform the way you think about pain. Because treating chronic pain isn’t just about reducing discomfort… it’s about restoring dignity, function, and hope.

Click here to see show notes

AttentionTherapists:

• Download your free guide on the Depression-Pain Cycle
• Become a sought after specialist with our Pain Psychology Certificate Course (14.5 CE Credits), where's you'll learn ACT and CBT for Chronic Pain, as well as strategies to address bias in pain care.

Have a topic idea? Send us a text.

PROFESSIONALS: Grab your free guide to working with older adults here


Attention Social Workers, Therapists, Counselors, Psychologists, Aging Life Care Experts... Click here to get Continuing Education Credits

Chronic pain isn’t just physical—it's personal, emotional, and deeply misunderstood. And when it comes to older adults, the pain often hides in plain sight. In this episode, I sit down with pain psychology expert, Dr. Jennifer Steiner, to explore the invisible impact of chronic pain and what every therapist must understand to truly help older adults living with it.

You’ll walk away with a fresh perspective—and four critical psychological themes—that can transform the way you support older adults in your practice.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

The real size of the chronic pain epidemic—and why it’s often underestimated in older adults

Common pain conditions affecting people 65+

Dr. Steiner’s personal journey from growing up with chronic pain to becoming a national leader in pain psychology

How chronic pain influences mental health, identity, relationships, and work

The 4 psychological themes every therapist must recognize when treating chronic pain:

1. The Body as an Obstacle
2. Pain is Invisible—and Real
3. Disrupted Sense of Self
4. Unpredictability of the Condition

AttentionTherapists:

• Download your free guide on the Depression-Pain Cycle
• Become a sought after specialist with our Pain Psychology Certificate Course (14.5 CE Credits), where's you'll learn ACT and CBT for Chronic Pain, as well as strategies to address bias in pain care.

Click here to go to Show Notes

Have a topic idea? Send us a text.

PROFESSIONALS: Grab your free guide to working with older adults here


Attention Social Workers, Therapists, Counselors, Psychologists, Aging Life Care Experts... Click here to get Continuing Education Credits

What do you do when your aging parent is being scammed—and keeps sending money even after you’ve begged them to stop? It’s heartbreaking. It’s infuriating. And it can leave you feeling powerless.

If this is happening in your family, you’re not alone—and there is hope.

In this episode, I unpack what’s really going on when an older adult falls victim to financial exploitation, why they often can’t stop—even when they know it’s a scam—and how to intervene without shaming or severing the relationship.

You'll learn:
✅ Why people get trapped in scams—even when the truth is obvious
✅ What “dignity of risk” and “duty of care” mean for families
✅ How to lead with compassion instead of control
✅ What to do when cognitive decline might be involved
✅ Concrete steps to prevent revictimization
✅ Where to turn for professional support

Whether you're a family member or a professional working with older adults, this episode is packed with tools to help you respond with clarity, compassion, and courage.

Professionals: Click here to get your free "Support for Older Adults After Financial Scams" Guide

Resources Mentioned:

• Older Adult Nest Egg: Assess financial vulnerability and get expert tools for reducing risk
• AARP Fraud Watch Network: Up-to-date scam alerts and prevention tips
• Give an Hour: Mental health support including for victims of exploitation
• Center for Mental Health & Aging: Find a therapist specializing in older adults
• Adult Protective Services: State-specific reporting and support

Click here to see the show notes

Have a topic idea? Send us a text.

PROFESSIONALS: Grab your free guide to working with older adults here


Attention Social Workers, Therapists, Counselors, Psychologists, Aging Life Care Experts... Click here to get Continuing Education Credits