Therapy for Migraine
Welcome to book a call where we can talk through what you would like help with.
I am a licensed psychologist and meet with clients for talk therapy. I offer in-depth conversations (individual therapy) where you gain more understanding of yourself, perspective and change. You can get help with migraines and other challenges. We book conversations at the practice in Östermalm in Stockholm or online.
Understanding Migraine
Migraine is a severe headache that comes in attacks. The pain can be throbbing or pulsating, often on one side of the head, and may be accompanied by aura. Common symptoms include nausea, difficulty concentrating, and sensitivity to light and sound. Many also experience muscle tension in the neck and shoulders.
The intensity of migraine attacks can make it necessary to withdraw from daily activities or work for hours or days at a time. After an attack, fatigue and exhaustion are common.
Living with migraine can be highly demanding. The attacks often affect quality of life, as their intensity and unpredictability disrupt both social and professional life. People may feel powerless, unable to plan ahead, and may experience ongoing stress reactions.
How is Migraine Treated?
Migraine is considered a chronic neurological condition, and treatment mainly involves medication prescribed by a neurologist to prevent or reduce attacks. However, affect‑focused (ISTDP) therapy for functional neurological symptoms such as migraine has shown beneficial results. Read more about functional neurological problems, chronic headache, and a book about migraine.
In affect‑focused therapy, emotional conflicts can be explored and worked through. These inner conflicts may have arisen earlier in life and left traces in the form of stress reactions or pain symptoms.
When emotions have been set aside or not processed – often unconsciously – they may take the form of physical symptoms such as pain. Learning to recognize, identify, and express emotions (when appropriate) is crucial for understanding oneself and others and for improving quality of life. Read more about therapy and emotions.
Migraine attacks are not only painful but can be emotionally draining. Many people experience sadness over the interruptions in life’s flow and grief over the time lost to illness. In therapy, these feelings can be processed in a safe and supportive setting, often becoming part of a healing process.
Another aspect of emotional work concerns avoiding or unresolved feelings in relationships. Clients sometimes describe earlier experiences of rejection or neglect that have led them to silence their needs. Such experiences — especially if linked to neglect or trauma in childhood — can manifest both psychologically and physically. Read more about relationship issues.
Why Migraine Persists
Migraines can deeply affect life when they limit participation in work and social activities. The repeated attacks drain energy and may lead to chronic pain.
Life becomes unpredictable, as frequency and intensity vary from week to week.
Stress reactions, exhaustion, anxiety, and depression can develop in response. Sensitivity to physical exertion may also increase, as the nervous system becomes more stress‑reactive. Sick leave may sometimes be necessary during acute episodes.
Living with a chronic illness can also raise existential questions about identity, agency, and meaning – what it means to live with reduced energy and interrupted plans.
How Therapy Supports Change
The goal of therapy is to support meaningful change. Through emotional processing of both current situations and past experiences, improvement can take place. When the frequency or intensity of attacks decreases, stress reactions often subside, and overall well‑being improves.
As symptoms lessen, many people describe feeling more alive and capable of participating fully in life – with renewed energy for relationships, work, and everyday activities. Being able to plan and carry out intentions without fear of cancellation brings confidence and relief. Reconnecting with a sense of agency often leads to greater vitality and well‑being.
Working with Emotions in Therapy
In affect‑focused therapy, we explore what you wish to address in each session while paying attention to inner tension, anxiety, and avoided feelings. We examine how anxiety and stress differ from emotions, and how connecting more deeply with feelings can help regulate the nervous system and create inner grounding.
When someone says, “There are so many feelings,” it often means there are many thoughts and worries that make it hard to find focus. In such states, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, triggering a sense of internal alarm. Emotions, in contrast, are part of the parasympathetic system and can bring calm, clarity, and direction.
Because migraine is a chronic condition, we also talk about what it means to live with an ongoing illness. Clients often describe sadness or frustration over how migraine interrupts life and plans. They may feel stressed and powerless, forced to accept repeated setbacks.
Therapy provides a space to experience emotions more fully, which helps reduce anxiety and increase presence, flexibility, and emotional strength. Read more about research on therapy and emotions, and about therapy and me.
Help with Migraine - Talk to a Psychologist
I am a licensed psychologist with extensive experience, offering therapy at my private practice in central Stockholm as well as online.
In therapy, we explore your situation, reactions, and needs at your own pace, with focus on what supports balance, recovery, and a sense of agency.
Maria Sandgren
Licensed Psychologist, PhD in Psychology