One of the most commonly cited barriers to accessing CBT-CP is a lack of insurance coverage. In a 2020 examination of US health insurance claims, only 4% of adults with chronic low back pain accessed psychological therapies (including CBT-CP), citing high out-of-pocket costs and poor insurance coverage as barriers to engagement. As described in the National Pain Strategy, payors may be disincentivized to cover self-management programs like CBT-CP and prioritize covering medical and interventional procedures. 

A lack of trained mental health professionals who deliver CBT-CP is a major barrier to receiving the treatment. Individuals are also often unsure of how to find a therapist who can deliver CBT-CP. Further, many psychologists and other medical professionals report only receiving limited pain education in their undergraduate and graduate training, limiting the number of trained providers in CBT-CP.