Understanding Pain Psychology in Migraine Treatment ft. Dawn Buse & Katy Oakley

In this episode, host Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, is joined by Dr. Dawn Buse, a psychologist specializing in headache and migraine, and Katie Oakley, who shares her personal journey living with chronic and post-traumatic headache. Together, they explore the role of behavioral therapies in migraine care and how these approaches can support prevention, quality of life, and safer treatment options for people living with migraine—both on their own and alongside standard medical care. On this episode, they discuss: • Why referrals to headache or pain psychology can feel challenging for patients • What research shows about who benefits most from behavioral migraine therapies • How biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and relaxation approaches work • The role of behavioral care for youth, adults, and people with medical risk factors • How these therapies can complement medications and neuromodulation treatments • Using coping and self-regulation skills in daily life and social settings • Adapting behavioral approaches for different types of chronic pain and headache conditions