Director of the Pain Psychology Fellowship, Stanford University Medical Center

Heather Poupore-King, PhD is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Pain Medicine and also serves as the Director of the Pain Psychology Fellowship.

Dr. King’s areas of expertise are in evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Pain and Insomnia and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She is also board certified in Biofeedback (BCB) by the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA). Dr. King has a strong interest in providing interdisciplinary care and specializes in comprehensive functional rehabilitation for patients experiencing chronic pain. She has also developed and is testing integrated protocols for co-occurring chronic pain and insomnia. She provides comprehensive pain evaluations, individual and group treatments, education for both patients and providers, and program development.

Dr King presents at national and international conferences to facilitate knowledge of effective behavioral treatment options for chronic pain patients. Her research focus includes serving as a master CBT trainer for serval NIH grants and is the Director of Behavioral Services for Northern California for the EMPOWER study. She also serves as the Director of the Pain Psychology Fellowship.

Dr. King works with patients to help them regain control of their lives by teaching effective, self-directed coping strategies focused on restoring function, optimizing mood and sleep, and increasing time in valued activities with the ultimate goal of improving one’s quality of life.