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The Chronic Pain Playbook
The Workbook
Published in May 2025, The Chronic Pain Playbook is a guide designed to support clinicians, parents or caregivers in helping child and adolescent clients (ages 9–16) understand and navigate chronic pain through developmentally appropriate, research-informed psychoeducation. This workbook focuses on conditions often labeled as: "medically unexplained" symptoms, neural circuit dizziness, functional neurological disorders, Chronic Fatigue, or Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS), all under the umbrella of neuroplastic symptoms. It includes tools based on validated assessments to tailor psychoeducation to each client’s understanding of pain. Structured across nine units with worksheets and play-based interventions, the curriculum builds foundational knowledge before introducing customized values-based exposure interventions. Additional units cover systemic, cultural, and clinical considerations. Clinicians utilizing this workbook in their practices are encouraged to collaborate closely with parents or caregivers, recognizing the vital role of attachment and family support in the healing process.
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"This book is truly amazing. Using the latest science about the brain, body-mind issues and sophisticated understanding of the role of psychological defences play in trauma, stress and chronic pain, it creates a fun and fascinating roadmap to help understand and find a way out of a range of chronic conditions that many give up on. It is packed with wonderfully enjoyable but deeply thought through ways of working with children via play and activities. I would advise any therapists, OT's, teachers, parents and anyone working with chronic pain and stress to buy this book."
Dr Graham Music,
Consultant, psychotherapist, Tavistock Centre, author and trainer
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"With The Chronic Pain Playbook, Jamie Shafir and Jessica Holzer firmly establish themselves as leading voices in the treatment of pediatric chronic pain. Blending rigorous scientific research with creative, play-based interventions, this book offers both clarity and compassion. Whether you're a parent, caregiver or clinician, this is an invaluable resource for helping children navigate—and overcome—chronic pain."
Daniel G Lyman, LCSW
Psychotherapist & Mind Body Therapy Center Director
