The Headache Psychologists’ Role in Pediatric and Adult Headache Care: A Qualitative Study of Expert Practitioners
ObjectiveWe examined the perspectives of expert headache psychologists to inform best practices for integrating headache psychologists into the care of children and adults with headache disorders within medical settings.BackgroundHeadache disorders are prevalent, chronic, and disabling neurological conditions. As clinical providers trained in evidence-based behavior change interventions with expertise in headache disorders, headache psychologists are uniquely positioned to provide behavioral headache treatment.MethodsIn 2020, we conducted semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of expert headache psychologists working across the United States. Open–ended questions focused on their roles, clinical flow, and treatment content. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, de-identified, and analyzed using a rapid qualitative analysis method.ResultsWe interviewed seven expert headache psychologists who have worked for an average of 18 years in outpatient settings with pediatric (n = 4) and adult (n = 3) patients with headache. The themes that emerged across the clinical workflow related to key components of behavioral headache treatment, effective behavioral treatment referral practices, and barriers to patient engagement. The expert headache psychologists offered evidence-based behavioral headache interventions such as biofeedback, relaxation training, and cognitive behavioral therapy emphasizing lifestyle modification as standalone options or concurrently with pharmacological treatment and were of brief duration. Participants reported many of their patients appeared reluctant to seek behavioral treatment for headache. Participants believed referrals were most effective when the referring provider explained to the patient the rationale for behavioral treatment, treatment content, and positive impact on headache activity, functioning, and quality of life. Barriers cited by participants to integrating headache psychology into headache care included the paucity of psychologists with specialized headache training, lack of insurance reimbursement, limited patient time to seek behavioral treatment, and inadequate patient knowledge of what behavioral treatment entails.ConclusionHeadache psychologists are often core members of multidisciplinary headache teams offering short-term, evidence-based behavioral interventions, both as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with pharmacotherapy. However, barriers to care persist.Enhancing referring providers’ familiarity with psychologists’ role in headache care may aid successful referrals for behavioral interventions for headache.
Highlights
Headache psychologists in this study provided a range of evidence-based behavioral interventions, most commonly biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation training, and lifestyle modification
All expert headache psychologists provided brief interventions tailored to patients’ preferences and their unique symptom presentation, “There’s a very nice body of work describing efficacy for biofeedback, relaxation therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.” [PSY_01] All interviewees explained that education is a core part of treatment and is often successfully incorporated even within the initial assessment period, “It would be helpful for them to build skills that will help their headache and that they understand the biopsychosocial model of the mind–body connection.”.[PSY_05]
There were some differences between headache psychologists who work with pediatric populations and those who work with adults
Summary
Sample and RecruitmentBetween June and September 2020, two study team members (ASG & EKS) identified potential participants by examining a list of psychologists who were members of the behavioral section of the American Headache Society and/or part of the Special Interest Group of the Society for Behavioral Medicine and had published articles related to headache within the past two years. We contacted headache psychologists who were working within a healthcare system in the United States (US) (academic institutions/large hospital-based systems), actively involved in national headache organizations, such as the American Headache Society, and/or having published peer-reviewed articles in the field of headache medicine and health psychology within the last two years. We selected this purposive sample as we wanted to ensure that we captured the perspectives of expert clinicians who were knowledgeable about the latest evidence-based interventions and practices in headache care and who were likely at the forefront of headache care within the US. Regarding the level of activity required to meet this criterion, we looked for evidence that the providers were actively involved in national headache organizations, such as serving in leadership roles, attending annual meetings, or presenting at conferences
8
- 10.2217/pmt.12.49
- Sep 1, 2012
- Pain Management
167
- 10.1176/appi.ps.59.4.392
- Apr 1, 2008
- Psychiatric Services
24
- Jan 1, 1984
- Duodecim; laaketieteellinen aikakauskirja
204
- 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2011.02046.x
- Nov 22, 2011
- Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain
19
- 10.1016/s0079-6603(08)60601-7
- Jan 1, 1982
- Progress in Nucleic Acid Research and Molecular Biology
238
- 10.1186/s10194-018-0899-2
- May 21, 2019
- The Journal of Headache and Pain
777
- 10.1212/wnl.0b013e3182535d20
- Apr 23, 2012
- Neurology
33
- Aug 1, 2015
- Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien
19
- 10.1037/amp0000330
- May 1, 2019
- American Psychologist
32
- 10.1007/s11916-009-0087-9
- Jan 27, 2010
- Current Pain and Headache Reports
- Research Article
3
- 10.1007/s10461-019-02433-8
- Feb 23, 2019
- AIDS and Behavior
This paper describes the development of a formula to determine which evidence-based behavioral interventions (EBIs) targeting HIV-negative persons would be cost-saving in comparison to the lifetime cost of HIV treatment and the process by which this formula was used to prioritize those with greatest potential impact for continued dissemination. We developed a prevention benefit index (PBI) to rank risk-reduction EBIs for HIV-negative persons based on their estimated cost for achieving the behavior change per one would-be incident infection of HIV. Inputs for calculating the PBI included the mean estimated cost-per-client served, EBI effect size for the behavior change, and the HIV incidence per 100,000 persons in the target population. EBIs for which the PBI was ≤ $402,000, the estimated lifetime cost of HIV care, were considered cost-saving. We were able to calculate a PBI for 35 EBI and target population combinations. Ten EBIs were cost-saving having a PBI below $402,000. One EBI did not move forward for dissemination due to high start-up dissemination costs. DHAP now supports the dissemination of 9 unique EBIs targeting 13 populations of HIV-negative persons. The application of a process, such as the PBI, may assist other health-field policymakers when making decisions about how to select and fund implementation of EBIs.
- Research Article
2
- 10.14302/issn.2324-7339.jcrhap-13-268
- Sep 24, 2013
- Journal of clinical research in HIV AIDS and prevention
Established in 1996 with funding from CDC and NIH, the HIV/AIDS Prevention Program Archive (HAPPA) is now the biggest private sector collection of HIV-related evidence-based behavioral interventions (EBIs). Each EBI in HAPPA has been determined by a distinguished Scientist Expert Panel to have demonstrated efficacy in preventing HIV or its risk-related behaviors in the United States. The multimedia replications kits contain everything that a new site would need to implement an EBI such as a user guide that gives an overview of the program and the evidence of its effectiveness; a facilitator's manual that gives step-by-step implementation protocols for each session; and session implementation materials referenced in the facilitator's manual such as slides, video clips, participant handouts, activity masters, checklists, and homework assignments for the next session. The program packages also contain evaluation materials such as surveys and questionnaires that were used in the original demonstration of effectiveness and that may be used to re-evaluate the program as implemented in a new setting. Recently, we have expanded HAPPA's scope to include HIV EBIs developed globally and to include evidence-based structural interventions (effective in modifying the physical, social, cultural, political, economic, legal, and/or policy aspects of the HIV risk environment). This paper describes HAPPA's procedures for identifying, selecting, acquiring and packaging HIV EBIs. It also provides comprehensive lists of evidence-based HIV behavioral and structural interventions and gives information on how to access EBI program packages for implementation in new settings.
- Discussion
94
- 10.1001/jama.2014.3629
- May 14, 2014
- JAMA
Bringing patient-centered care to patients with alcohol use disorders.
- Discussion
- 10.5664/jcsm.9932
- Feb 8, 2022
- Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Meeting families where they sleep: a collaborative approach to improving sleep health for urban children.
- Research Article
16
- 10.1097/qai.0b013e318291fff4
- Jun 1, 2013
- JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes
A New Paradigm for Optimizing HIV Intervention Synergy
- Research Article
1
- 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104234
- Oct 21, 2023
- International Journal of Drug Policy
“You rise up and then you start pulling people up with you”: Patient experiences with a peer-delivered behavioral activation intervention to support methadone treatment
- Conference Article
63
- 10.1109/wts.2015.7117255
- Apr 1, 2015
Effective and efficient behavioral interventions are important and of high interest today. Due to shortcomings of related approaches, we introduce MobileCoach (mobile-coach.eu) as novel open source behavioral intervention platform. With its modular architecture, its rule-based engine that monitors behavioral states and triggers state transitions, we assume MobileCoach to lay a fruitful ground for evidence-based, scalable and low-cost behavioral interventions in various application domains. The code basis is made open source and thus, MobileCoach can be used and revised not only by interdisciplinary research teams but also by public bodies or business organizations without any legal constraints. Technical details of the platform are presented as well as preliminary empirical findings regarding the acceptance of one particular intervention in the public health context. Future work will integrate Internet of Things services that sense and process data streams in a way that MobileCoach interventions can be further tailored to the needs and characteristics of individual participants.
- Book Chapter
- 10.1007/978-3-030-21683-2_18
- Jan 1, 2019
Behavioral sleep problems affect approximately 20–40% of children, impair daytime functioning, and typically do not resolve without treatment. This chapter will outline the conceptualization and treatment of behavioral sleep difficulties including behavioral insomnia of childhood (e.g., difficulties with sleep initiation or maintenance, bedtime noncompliance) and delayed sleep–wake phase disorder. Behavioral and cognitive-behavioral treatment components and approaches will be discussed. Behavioral treatment components that may be helpful for youth with parasomnias, obstructive sleep apnea, and narcolepsy to optimize the medical treatment and/or improve functional outcomes are also briefly reviewed. A case example will be presented to elucidate the application of behavioral and cognitive-behavioral treatment components for a young child with behavioral sleep difficulties.
- Research Article
10
- 10.1177/00099228221078419
- Feb 15, 2022
- Clinical Pediatrics
Avoidant and restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is characterized by restrictions in oral intake and does not include concerns related to body image. Despite the evidence-based medical and behavioral treatments, there is limited research as they apply to ARFID, but the extant research supports hospital-based behavioral therapy. Individuals with ARFID may have comorbidities that can affect treatment, which requires multidisciplinary treatment to provide effective care. Supplementary sources of nutrition may be required for individuals with this diagnosis to ensure they maintain proper nutritional status (eg, enteral feeding). A record review from 2015 to 2019 identified 16 participants admitted to an inpatient hospital. Of the sample, 75% of participants had a psychiatric diagnosis and 88% of participants experienced an acute event that preceded their feeding difficulties. Each participant received medical oversight, and instead of a standard treatment approach, behavioral treatment components were individualized based on each participants' presentation. All participants met at least 80% of their admission treatment goals, and 92% of participants who completed their admission consumed 100% of their nutritional needs orally. Follow-up data indicate sustained progress for several months following discharge. Our results suggest that a multidisciplinary, medical, and behavioral treatment model is effective for a variety of clinical presentations of ARFID. More research is needed on triggering events that precede restricted food and liquid intake. In addition, the extent to which these treatment components are preferred should be assessed in an effort to maintain treatment gains after discharge.
- Research Article
22
- 10.1037/fsh0000333
- Sep 1, 2018
- Families, Systems, & Health
Health care organizations are embracing integrated primary care (IPC), in which mental health and behavioral health are addressed as part of routine care within primary care settings. Behavioral medicine concerns, which include health behavior change and coping with medical conditions, are common in primary care populations. Although there are evidence-based behavioral interventions that target a variety of behavioral medicine concerns, integrated behavioral health providers need interventions that are sufficiently brief (i.e., ≤6 appointments) to be compatible with IPC. We conducted a literature review of published studies examining behavioral interventions that target prevalent behavioral medicine concerns and can feasibly be employed by IPC providers in adult primary care settings. A total of 67 published articles representing 63 original studies met eligibility criteria. We extracted data on the behavioral interventions employed, results comparing the active intervention to a comparison group, general fit with IPC, and methodological quality. The vast majority of studies examined brief interventions targeting sleep difficulties and physical activity. The most commonly employed interventions were derived from cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. Outcomes were generally statistically significantly in favor of the active intervention relative to comparison, with highly variable methodological quality ratings (range = 0-5; M = 2.0). Results are discussed in relation to the need for further evidence for brief behavioral interventions targeting other behavioral medicine concerns beyond sleep and physical activity, as well as for more specificity regarding the compatibility of such interventions with IPC practice. (PsycINFO Database Record
- Research Article
7
- 10.1089/dia.2017.2506
- Feb 1, 2017
- Diabetes technology & therapeutics
This year's article on health information technology (HIT) illustrates the use of digital technology to prevent and treat diabetes by enabling consumer engagement, behavior change, and impact analytics. It provides a snapshot of current thinking about digital technology's capabilities and capacity to deliver personalized interventions at scale. Early results are promising. A growing number of digital programs are clinically proven to improve health and lower the cost of care. And pioneering health-care organizations are offering these programs to members and patients as part of their new models for value-based care. Their success will drive other organizations—payers, providers, and employers—to make similar investments in health. In the modern health-care world, experts agree that “value” will be created by enabling health, not just delivering care. With today's epidemic of diabetes, patients who use digital health technologies can benefit greatly from both short-term health improvements and long-term health self-management. The foundations have been laid with evidence-based programs. Now, more health-care organizations must embrace this population management strategy for health. As adoption increases, the next technology challenge will arise: consumer engagement at scale. This engagement will be digital: content-rich programs filled with social support to activate, educate, and engage consumers. Most of the articles included in this and prior ATTD Yearbook articles address the specifics of digital interventions once the person enrolls. But before enrollment, consumers must engage. And to engage consumers, one must understand their reasons for engaging and their expectations for results. These insights fall into the realm of digital marketing, rather than the domain of clinical programs. Using a multidisciplinary approach, digital engagement will be the next variable to solve in the equation for scalable digital health. Not for a lack of trying, we have been unable to find noteworthy articles presenting best practices for consumer engagement from outreach to enrollment. But the future looks quite bright for the science of marketing digital health interventions. Increasingly, “big data” is providing scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs, educators, health-care providers, and administrators with the insights they need to predict consumer interests and personalize experiences throughout the entire behavior change process—from outreach to outcomes. Over the coming year, we will continue to search the health-care landscape to bring more innovations in digital health and diabetes prevention, from consumer engagement to population impact.
- Single Book
2
- 10.1093/med/9780190205959.003.0010
- Sep 1, 2016
There are currently several interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that meet the definition of “evidence-based therapies” as outlined by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), including several forms of exposure-based behavioral interventions and pharmacotherapies the IOM has determined are efficacious and first-line treatments for PTSD. Although exposure-based therapies are efficacious, not all patients respond adequately to treatment. In some cases, behavioral therapies have been associated with high refusal and attrition rates. Furthermore, evidence-based behavioral interventions are not yet widely available, because relatively few practitioners are trained adequately outside of academic institutions, and there are few trained professionals outside of urban centers. Even when evidence-based behavioral or pharmacological treatments are available, veterans sometimes avoid seeking these treatments because of perceived stigma about receiving traditional forms of mental health care either from traditional mental health care providers or in traditional mental health care environments. Despite large numbers of returning veterans being diagnosed with PTSD since the start of the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, there remains a large number of Americans who have limited access to evidence-based interventions for PTSD. Although efforts to expand access to these treatments should continue, there should also be an effort to investigate novel interventions for PTSD—particularly those that may require less training and/or may be associated with less stigma than conventional treatments.
- Research Article
831
- 10.1001/jama.2013.193
- Feb 20, 2013
- JAMA
Insomnia is one of the most prevalent health concerns in the population and in clinical practice. Clinicians may be reluctant to address insomnia because of its many potential causes, unfamiliarity with behavioral treatments, and concerns about pharmacologic treatments. To review the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of insomnia in adults. Systematic review to identify and summarize previously published quantitative reviews (meta-analyses) of behavioral and pharmacologic treatments for insomnia. Insomnia is a common clinical condition characterized by difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, accompanied by symptoms such as irritability or fatigue during wakefulness. The prevalence of insomnia disorder is approximately 10% to 20%, with approximately 50% having a chronic course. Insomnia is a risk factor for impaired function, development of other medical and mental disorders, and increased health care costs. The etiology and pathophysiology of insomnia involve genetic, environmental, behavioral, and physiological factors culminating in hyperarousal. The diagnosis of insomnia is established by a thorough history of sleep behaviors, medical and psychiatric problems, and medications, supplemented by a prospective record of sleep patterns (sleep diary). Quantitative literature reviews (meta-analyses) support the efficacy of behavioral, cognitive, and pharmacologic interventions for insomnia. Brief behavioral interventions and Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy both show promise for use in primary care settings. Among pharmacologic interventions, the most evidence exists for benzodiazepine receptor agonist drugs, although persistent concerns focus on their safety relative to modest efficacy. Behavioral treatments should be used whenever possible, and medications should be limited to the lowest necessary dose and shortest necessary duration. Clinicians should recognize insomnia because of its effects on function and health. A thorough clinical history is often sufficient to identify factors that contribute to insomnia. Behavioral treatments should be used when possible. Hypnotic medications are also efficacious but must be carefully monitored for adverse effects.
- Research Article
17
- 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101249
- Sep 1, 2022
- SSM - Population Health
Measurement and assessment of fidelity and competence in nonspecialist-delivered, evidence-based behavioral and mental health interventions: A systematic review
- Research Article
2
- 10.1016/s0090-8258(22)01732-2
- Aug 1, 2022
- Gynecologic Oncology
Obese, rural endometrial cancer survivors’ health behaviors and lifestyle intervention preferences: What’s COVID-19 got to do with it? (510)
- New
- Research Article
- 10.1007/s10880-025-10104-1
- Oct 31, 2025
- Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings
- New
- Research Article
- 10.1007/s10880-025-10106-z
- Oct 31, 2025
- Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings
- New
- Front Matter
- 10.1007/s10880-025-10109-w
- Oct 31, 2025
- Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings
- New
- Research Article
- 10.1007/s10880-025-10102-3
- Oct 25, 2025
- Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings
- Research Article
- 10.1007/s10880-025-10096-y
- Oct 22, 2025
- Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings
- Research Article
- 10.1007/s10880-025-10105-0
- Oct 16, 2025
- Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings
- Research Article
- 10.1007/s10880-025-10100-5
- Oct 16, 2025
- Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings
- Research Article
- 10.1007/s10880-025-10099-9
- Oct 15, 2025
- Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings
- Research Article
- 10.1007/s10880-025-10107-y
- Oct 15, 2025
- Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings
- Research Article
- 10.1007/s10880-025-10097-x
- Oct 15, 2025
- Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings
- Ask R Discovery
- Chat PDF