Abstract
Conceptualizing injury rehabilitation as an athletic challenge illuminates the process of rehabilitation for patient and psychologist. This approach synthesizes behavioral medicine and sport psychology to create a model that identifies psychological roles for all members of the treatment team and empowers patients by a proactive approach to education and skill-building. The development of the patient-athlete mind-set is a common focus across all interventions. The patient-athlete mind-set encompasses: personal responsibility, a strong goal orientation, readiness to pursue physical training with intensity and precision, and a willingness to move one's physical and mental skills to a higher level of performance. A case example of a recreational athlete suffering chronic pain illustrates the patient-athlete metaphor.