Wal-Mart Donates to Pain Management Program

Chris Seaman, left, manager of the Wal-Mart store in Huntsville, presents a check to Judy DeTrude, director of the Center for Research and Counselor Education, to be used toward establishment of free pain management counseling services. Doctoral students who are writing grant proposals include, from left, James Flowers, Kate Walker, and Yu-Fen Lin.

Faculty and students in the Dr. Jack S. Staggs Counseling Clinic at Sam Houston State University have taken some key steps toward beginning free pain management counseling services this fall.

Chris Seaman, manager of the Wal-Mart store in Huntsville, recently presented a $1,000 check to Judy DeTrude, director of the Center for Research and Counselor Education. The money will be used for design and printing of brochures and other tools to let residents know that the free pain management services will be available.

Doctoral students James Flowers, Kate Walker and Yu-Fen Lin have also written a grant proposal to the National Institutes of Health.

"The National Institutes of Health has awarded grants to other universities that have implemented pain management research programs," said DeTrude, "and these universities have been very collaborative in providing suggestions for these services."

DeTrude said that clients with acute and chronic pain from back injuries will initially be assessed for depression and their current level of daily functioning.

Treatment will consist of cognitive behavioral therapy sessions, biofeedback and supportive counseling sessions for the clients and their families.

"Unlimited counseling sessions will be available to clients after they complete the 10-session cycle," said DeTrude. "Medical treatment will be monitored by their physicians, and the clinic will not be involved in this aspect of their pain management."

If the National Institutes of Health grant is received, the program will begin operation Aug. 15. Without the grant, a pilot study will begin in the fall, with participation by a limited number of clients.

Wal-Mart and the human resources office at SHSU have agreed to be referral sources for the program.

For more information about services at the Dr. Jack S. Staggs Counseling Clinic, call Linda Haley at 936.294.1121.

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SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
June 13, 2005
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