Use empathy, normalise what they are feeling i.e. they are not “mad” or imagining things
Provide relevant information
Help avoid catastrophizing
Address fear
Address expectation
Patient and therapist to create an individualised hierarchy of feared activities
Gradually expose your patient to each activity & ask for a rating of their fear & pain expectation before & after activity
Recognise if there is distress or depression and signpost for specialist psychological support ensuring you recognise your own professional limitations
