Empowered Relief

What is Empowered Relief?

Empowered Relief is a science-based online treatment for people with chronic or persistent pain. The program was developed by Dr. Beth Darnall, a pain psychologist and specialist at Stanford University in California. The training may only be delivered by practitioners certified by Stanford.

The goal of Empowered Relief is to help people develop skills to better manage their pain and associated suffering. Research shows that the training, which lasts only 2.5 hours, can produce significant improvements. For example, it reduces pain intensity, helps change non-helpful thoughts and has a positive impact on the disruption of daily life caused by pain. Participants also report better sleep and less anxiety and depression. These improvements remain noticeable even three months after training. Research shows that one session of Empowered Relief is as effective as 16 hours of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the gold standard treatment for chronic pain.

Empowered Relief versus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has long been proven effective in the treatment of chronic pain. To compare the effectiveness of Empowered Relief with CBT, Stanford researchers examined both treatments in a randomized clinical trial (RCT). They found that the results of Empowered Relief were similar to those of eight two-hour sessions of CBT on pain reduction, negative pain-related thoughts and beliefs, sleep quality, and feelings of anxiety and depression (Darnall et al., 2021).

What does Empowered Relief entail?

During the 2.5-hour training you will learn:

1. How the nervous system works and how to influence it in a positive way.
2. Practical skills you can apply immediately to relieve your pain.
3. Get access to a free 20-minute audio exercise with binaural beats to relax.
4. Develop a personal plan to manage your pain.

Because chronic pain also impacts those around you, you may invite a friend or family member to attend the session with you at no additional cost.

Is Empowered Relief for me?

One in three people experience chronic pain at some point in their lives, so you're not alone. Living with pain can cause a lot of stress and affect your relationships and social life. Empowered Relief teaches you the skills to take charge of your pain and gain more control over how much pain dominates your life.

If you suffer from some form of chronic pain, you can probably benefit from Empowered Relief, regardless of where in your body the pain is located. For example, you don't have to have chronic pelvic pain to participate; the training is also suitable for people with conditions such as migraines, fibromyalgia or pain related to cancer.

The training is taken with other participants who also struggle with chronic pain, but there is no obligation to share your personal symptoms with others.

How can I participate?

You can sign up. By sending an email to info@pelvicpain.nl

De volgende training wordt gegeven op 2 juli 2026 van 13.30-16.00 uur.

Cost 150 euros including support materials.

The training will be taught by Fetske Hogen Esch.

Fetske is a certified Empowered Relief instructor trained by Stanford University.