Power Over Pain Portal –June Events Calendar

You are not alone on your journey to cope with pain –
There is hope.
Power Over Pain provides you with access to resources, courses, peer support and much more.

Le portail Power Over Pain organise régulièrement des ateliers interactifs sur divers sujets pertinents. Vous pouvez vous inscrire sur leur site web ou consulter leur calendrier d'événements à l'adresse https://portal.poweroverpain.ca/events

Their Upcoming Events for June are:

June 4, 2026, 01:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Unmuted: Finding Your Voice in the Healthcare System

Empower yourself with skills and tips to Navigate, Communicate, and Advocate effectively in healthcare settings! This workshop provides practical strategies to help you engage with healthcare providers, ask the right questions, and advocate for yourself or loved ones with confidence. With NEW shared decision-making tools! This is a 90-minute workshop.

Speaker: Susan Ward is an experienced registered social worker with over 32 years in practice, including 11 years at The Ottawa Hospital Chronic Pain Clinic, where she developed expertise in complex pain management. She focuses on Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), holds advanced certification in PRT, and is a certified clinical trauma professional (CCTP-II), continually expanding her skills in trauma-informed and somatic approaches. Susan also supervises emerging professionals, engages in research, and provides care through her private practice, supporting individuals in transforming their relationship with pain. Stephanie Frisch is a Nurse Practitioner specializing in diffuse chronic pain, pelvic pain and women’s health. She provides compassionate, evidence‑informed, trauma‑aware care, helping patients feel understood, validated, and supported. Stephanie focuses on clear, thorough assessment and personalized treatment planning, incorporating the use of shared decision aids to help patients actively participate in their care. Her approach empowers individuals to improve daily functioning, confidence, and overall quality of life.

June 5, 2026, 12:00 PM in America/Toronto

Beyond the Next Dose: Lived Experience with Opioid Tapering

Opioid tapering is more than just a medication change. For many, it is a deeply personal and sometimes uncertain decision shaped by individual goals, concerns, and experiences. In this session, you will hear real insights from people who have been there, including what they feared, what they faced, and what helped. Together, we will unpack common misconceptions and share practical, evidence-informed approaches you can draw upon when considering changes in opioid use. We hope you will leave the session with greater clarity and perspective to help guide your personal decision-making about opioid use for chronic pain.

Presenters: Gregg Tkachuk, PhD, CPsych Dana Turcotte BSc(Pharm), PhD Li-elle Rapaport, MA

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/7617767874237/WN_pblaWd7zRqqoJxEdu4n9EQ

June 10, 2026, 12:00 PM in America/Toronto

Sleep Health Series - Part 1

Watch Party featuring live Q & A for Sleep Health Pathway: Part 1 of a 3 part Workshop Series Discover practical strategies to improve sleep quality and manage sleep difficulties. Psychologist Dr. Louise Overington (C. Psych.), Occupational Therapist Mayssa Elkassem (OT) and Nurse Practitioner Stephanie Frisch (NP) present this series. We will watch a video of the workshop together. After the video, Dr. Overington will join for a live Q & A with participants. Watch parties for the Sleep Health Pathway Part 2 will be on June 17th (for 2 hours) and Part 3 on June 24th. Presenter: Dr. Louise Overington (C. Psych) Bio: Louise Overington, Ph.D., C.Psych. is a clinical, health, and counselling psychologist at The Ottawa Hospital Pain Clinic, an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa, and a Clinician Investigator with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. In her clinical work, she provides assessment, individual and group treatment for individuals living with persistent pain. She has research interests in measurement-based care and the development of evidence-based programming for persistent pain, mental health and substance use health difficulties.

June 16, 2026, 12:00 PM in America/Toronto

Power Over Pain Portal Orientation Session

Welcome to the Power Over Pain Portal Orientation Session—we’re so glad you’re here. The Power Over Pain Portal is a free, online platform designed to support people living with pain, mental health concerns, and substance use. It offers science-informed tools and resources that you can explore and use at your own pace. During today’s session, we’ll talk about what pain is and why we experience it, walk you through how to create an account and track your progress, show you how to use the available resources on the Portal, and explain how your privacy and confidentiality are protected. We’ll also have time at the end for your questions. Before we begin, please note that this session is for general information only—it is not medical advice and does not replace care from a healthcare professional who understands your specific needs. Attending today’s session does not create a therapist–client relationship, and we encourage you to consult with a licensed healthcare provider for any personal medical concerns. You’ll also see a few optional questions designed to help us learn more about who is attending—feel free to answer only what you’re comfortable with. Let’s get started!

Jun 17, 2026, 12:00 PM in America/Toronto

Sleep Health Series - Part 2

Watch Party featuring live Q & A for Sleep Health Pathway: Part 2 of a 3 part Workshop Series Discover practical strategies to improve sleep quality and manage sleep difficulties. Psychologist Dr. Louise Overington (C. Psych.), Occupational Therapist Mayssa Elkassem (OT) and Nurse Practitioner Stephanie Frisch (NP) present this series. We will watch a video of the workshop together. After the video, Nurse Practitioner Stephanie Frisch and Occupational Therapist Mayssa Elkassem will join for a live Q & A with participants. A Watch party for the Sleep Health Pathway Part 3 will be on June 24th. Mayssa Elkassem has been practicing occupational therapy for over 25 years. She graduated from Queens University in 2001 and has been working at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) ever since. She trained in Acute Medicine/Geriatrics/Mental Health/Rehab and then secured a permanent position in Acute Medicine (4 yrs). Moved on to work in short term rehab for 15 yrs. While there she had the opportunity to work in the Chronic Pain Management Program (CPMP) at The Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre (TOHRC) (2 yrs) and the Long Covid Program (1yr). This led to her specializing in pain management to help individuals with chronic pain return to meaningful and purposeful occupations. She is currently working in an outpatient secondary care setting at TOH Pain Clinic supporting individuals to achieve satisfying performance in activities despite pain and fatigue. Stephanie Frisch is a Nurse Practitioner specializing in diffuse chronic pain, pelvic pain and women’s health. She provides compassionate, evidence‑informed, trauma‑aware care, helping patients feel understood, validated, and supported. Stephanie focuses on clear, thorough assessment and personalized treatment planning, incorporating the use of shared decision aids to help patients actively participate in their care. Her approach empowers individuals to improve daily functioning, confidence, and overall quality of life.

June 18, 2026, 12:00 PM in America/Toronto

Séance d'orientation du Portail Surmonter sa douleur

Bienvenue à la séance d'orientation du Portail Surmonter sa douleur ! Qu'est-ce que le Portail Surmonter sa douleur ? C’est une plateforme en ligne gratuite et fondée sur la science qui vous propose des ressources pour vous aider à gérer la douleur , la santé mentale et la consommation de substances. De quoi parle cette séance d’orientation ? - Qu'est-ce que la douleur et pourquoi ressentons-nous de la douleur ? - Orientation sur le portail, y compris comment créer un compte et suivre vos progrès - Comment utiliser les ressources du portail - Survol de la politique de confidentialité - Période de questions et réponses Veuillez consulter les informations suivantes avant de vous inscrire : - Les informations et le contenu fournis lors de cette session d'orientation du portail Surmonter sa douleur ne sont pas destinés à être et ne doivent pas être compris comme des conseils médicaux ou des soins cliniques. - Bien que les organisateurs et/ou les partenaires affiliées aux séances d'orientation soient des professionnels, les informations et le contenu de cette séance ne remplacent pas les conseils d'un professionnel, conscient des faits et circonstances de votre situation individuelle. - Assister à ces séances d'orientation ne crée pas de relation thérapeute-client entre vous et la ou les partenaires ou l'un de ses professionnels. - Nous vous recommandons fortement de demander conseil à un professionnel de santé agréé pour toute question médicale ou liée à la santé. Les questions ci-dessous sont facultatives. Elles sont conçues pour nous aider à comprendre qui participe aux séances d’orientation. Merci d'y répondre si vous le souhaitez !

June 19, 2026, 12:00 PM in America/Toronto

Neuroscience Watch Party

Watch Party featuring live Q & A for Understanding Pain: Exploring the Neuroscience Behind Chronic Pain Management Original presentation by Olivia Drodge Registered Pelvic Health Physiotherapist Hosted by Dr. Patricia Poulin (C.Psych). Join us for an engaging workshop where we explore the fascinating science behind pain! Learn how your brain and nervous system play a key role in chronic pain and discover practical ways to manage it. Whether you're new to pain neuroscience or seeking fresh insights, this session will empower you with knowledge and tools to take control of your pain journey. We will watch a video of the workshop together, followed by a live Q & A between Dr. Patricia Poulin and participants.

June 24, 2026, 12:00 PM in America/Toronto

Sleep Health Series - Part 3

Watch Party featuring live Q & A for Sleep Health Pathway: Part 3 of a 3 part Workshop Series Discover practical strategies to improve sleep quality and manage sleep difficulties. Psychologist Dr. Louise Overington (C. Psych.), Occupational Therapist Mayssa Elkassem (OT) and Nurse Practitioner Stephanie Frisch (NP) present this series. We will watch a video of the workshop together. After the video, Dr. Overington will join for a live Q & A with participants. Presenter: Dr. Louise Overington (C. Psych) Bio: Louise Overington, Ph.D., C.Psych. is a clinical, health, and counselling psychologist at The Ottawa Hospital Pain Clinic, an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa, and a Clinician Investigator with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. In her clinical work, she provides assessment, individual and group treatment for individuals living with persistent pain. She has research interests in measurement-based care and the development of evidence-based programming for persistent pain, mental health and substance use health difficulties.