Afton L. Hassett, Psy.D. ALT TEXT

Afton @ Work 

Her life’s work is dedicated to helping people with chronic pain live lives with less pain, greater happiness, and renewed purpose in life. The key is cultivating resilience.

Afton is a pain psychologist for one of the foremost pain research teams in the world, the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center at the University of Michigan. She is an Associate Professor with tenure and the Director of Pain and Opioid Research in the Department of Anesthesiology.

With over $30M of research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Afton’s mission is to bring evidence-based strategies from research and academic settings to the people themselves.

She has a national and an international reputation as the ‘go-to’ person when discussing the role of resilience and positive emotions in the experience of pain. She teaches these skills to patients, their healthcare providers, and undergraduate and graduate students; this is her passion, and purpose in life.


Afton has published over 130 research articles in scientific journals and has been awarded over $30M in federal funding from the National Institutes of Health | NIH for her research related to helping people with chronic pain.

Listed below please find NIH funded studies in behavioral therapies for Chronic Pain led by Dr. Afton Hassett and her colleagues at the University of Michigan

  • R01 NR017096

    “Resilience Skills Self-Management for Chronic Pain” (AL Hassett & DA Williams) NIH/National Institute of Nursing Research. Randomized clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of adding resilience-based skills such as gratitude, acts of kindness, character strengths and positive activity scheduling to standard CBT for chronic pain.

  • U19 AR076734

    “University of Michigan BACPAC Mechanistic Research Center” (DJ Clauw & AL Hassett) NIH/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). Randomized clinical trial to evaluate who with chronic low back pain responds best to which treatment: physical therapy, MBSR, acupressure app, or medication and how these treatments work.

  • U24 AR076730

    “BACPAC- Biomarkers for Evaluating Spine Treatments (BEST) Study” (LM LaVange; AL Hassett - University of Michigan site principal investigator). NIH/NIAMS. A 14-site clinical trial to explore how different people with chronic low back pain respond to different treatments: ACT, physical therapy, online CBT self-management program, or medication and how these treatments work.

  • R01 HL146354

    “Roadmap 2.0: A randomized controlled trial using a technology-mediated platform in family caregivers of BMT patients.” (S Choi; AL Hassett – Co-Investigator) NIH/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The development of a toolkit focusing on the positive aspects of caregiving to be delivered using an mHealth app.

  • R01 NR020442

    “Improving Physical and Psychosocial Functioning in Underserved Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Community Health Worker-Led Intervention.” (M Janevic; AL Hassett – Co-Investigator). Engaging the community health workers at the Detroit Health Department workforce to mitigate the pandemic’s impact on vulnerable groups. The project’s objective is to assess the impact of Positive STEPS on functional outcomes.

  • Rheum. Research Foundation

    “Resilience-based, Energy Management to Enhance Wellbeing in Scleroderma (RENEW): Testing of a Peer-Mentored Web-based Intervention.” (S Murphy and D Khanna; AL Hassett – Co-Investigator. A large clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of a resilience-based peer-mentored program for people with Scleroderma to reduce fatigue and enhance well-being.

Chronic Pain and Fatigue
Research Center (CPFRC)

Department of Anesthesiology
University of Michigan

As a highly acclaimed and recognized
worldwide research center, the
CPFRC continues to revolutionize
the way pain is managed and seek
he best solutions to help the
millions that suffer from chronic pain.

Afton L. Hassett, Psy.D.

  • Michigan Medicine CPFRC. Group of eight professional Principal Investigators.

    Chronic Pain & Fatigue Research Center at the University of Michigan Principal Investigators

  • Group of ten professionalRheumatology Health Professional Executive Committee.

    American College of Rheumatology Rheumatology Health Professionals Executive Committee

  • Elizabeth Schlenk and Afton L. Hassett, Psy.D. passing the president's gavel at the Association of Rheumatology Professionals/American College of Rheumatology

    Dr. Elizabeth Schlenk passes the gavel to the new ARP President, Afton L. Hassett, Psy.D.

  • Association of Rheumatology Professionals/American College of Rheumatology standing in front of the U.S. Capitol building.

    American College of Rheumatology Executive Committee

  • Michigan Medicine CPFRC.. What are you grateful for?' and colorful notes displayed on a board behind them.

    University of Michigan, Department of Anesthesiology Team Pain Team at ResearchPalooza

  • Michigan Medicine CPFRC with the Department of Anesthesiology Opioid Take-Back Event.

    UM Department of Anesthesiology Opioid Take-Back Event

  • Michigan Medicine CPFRC. Team Pain Community Service - Caring for Ann Arbor Parks

    UM Back & Pain Center - Team Pain Community Service - Caring for Ann Arbor Parks

Afton @ Play

  • Afton and husband Will Hassett.

    Afton & Will

  • Dr. Afton Hassett standing on a golf course, contemplating a 200 yard drive.

    The Fort G.C., Indianapolis, IN

  • Afton and Will Hassett in Edinburgh, Scotland.

    Edinburgh, Scotland

  • Dr. Afton Hassett playing golf on at the Portmarnock course.

    The Links at Portmarnock, Dublin, Ireland

  • Afton Hassett and Mom traveling in Italy. Unique architectural buildings with rooftops and a cityscape.

    Mom & Afton European Travels, Barcelona, Spain

“I try to practice what I preach by making time each day to experience a little joy.
I find balance through spending time with family & friends, eating great food, golf, and travel. 

The greatest happiness comes when all elements are combined: traveling someplace fascinating to
golf with family and friends, then ending the day with a memorable meal.”

-AFTON HASSETT

  • Camp Eustis/Langley, Virginia graduation, Officer Candidate, Liam, Afton & Will Hassett

    Camp Eustis/Langley, Virginia graduation, Officer Candidate, Liam, Mom & Will

  • Son, Liam Hassett and Afton Hassett in Snowbird, UT.

    Liam & Afton in Snowbird, UT

  • Son, Liam Hassett and Afton Hassett with Jefe in Missoula, MT.

    Afton, Liam & granddog Jefe in Missoula, MT

  • Granddog Jefe sitting with a curious expression.

    Jefe, enjoys a good steak bone, sunshine, & chasing squirrels in Helena, MT

  • Afton, Deanna & Lisa, in Chicago, IL

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.”


Truly an early adopter
of healthy living and a strong proponent of
offering brilliant grandma advice!

Fearless and ahead of
her time my great grandmother,
Helen lived until the age of 102.

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.”
— Eleanor Roosevelt