Intervention patients will focus on 1) goal clarification/prioritization; 2) communication skills. There are 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions teaching skills (30 min each) and 2 booster sessions delivered once/month for the next 2 months. Intervention will be delivered by telephone.

Communication and Activation in Pain to Enhance Relationships and Treat Pain with Equity (COOPERATE): . COOPERATE seeks to improve patient activation in minority Veterans with chronic pain by focusing on two major skill sets: 1) goal clarification and prioritization, and 2) communication skills (Table 1). By understanding, clarifying, and prioritizing goals, and having the skills to communicate their goals, priorities, and preferences to providers, Veterans will gain knowledge, confidence, and skills to be actively involved in managing their chronic pain. The intervention consists of 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions focused on teaching skills related to goal clarification/prioritization and communication (30-minutes each), delivered weekly for the first 4 weeks, plus 2 booster sessions (20-25 minutes each) delivered once per month for the next 2 months.

Veterans randomized to the control group will receive phone calls on the same schedule as intervention Veterans. During these phone calls, study staff will ask Veterans a series of questions about their pain, self-management activities, and any changes they have experienced since the last call. These phone calls are designed to control for attention only, and Veterans will not be offered specific information or advice about their pain or its management (with the exception of suggesting a doctor visit if warranted).

Intervention patients will focus on 1) goal clarification/prioritization; 2) communication skills. There are 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions teaching skills (30 min each) and 2 booster sessions delivered once/month for the next 2 months. Intervention will be delivered by telephone.

Communication and Activation in Pain to Enhance Relationships and Treat Pain with Equity (COOPERATE): . COOPERATE seeks to improve patient activation in minority Veterans with chronic pain by focusing on two major skill sets: 1) goal clarification and prioritization, and 2) communication skills (Table 1). By understanding, clarifying, and prioritizing goals, and having the skills to communicate their goals, priorities, and preferences to providers, Veterans will gain knowledge, confidence, and skills to be actively involved in managing their chronic pain. The intervention consists of 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions focused on teaching skills related to goal clarification/prioritization and communication (30-minutes each), delivered weekly for the first 4 weeks, plus 2 booster sessions (20-25 minutes each) delivered once per month for the next 2 months.

Veterans randomized to the control group will receive phone calls on the same schedule as intervention Veterans. During these phone calls, study staff will ask Veterans a series of questions about their pain, self-management activities, and any changes they have experienced since the last call. These phone calls are designed to control for attention only, and Veterans will not be offered specific information or advice about their pain or its management (with the exception of suggesting a doctor visit if warranted).

Intervention patients will focus on 1) goal clarification/prioritization; 2) communication skills. There are 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions teaching skills (30 min each) and 2 booster sessions delivered once/month for the next 2 months. Intervention will be delivered by telephone.

Communication and Activation in Pain to Enhance Relationships and Treat Pain with Equity (COOPERATE): . COOPERATE seeks to improve patient activation in minority Veterans with chronic pain by focusing on two major skill sets: 1) goal clarification and prioritization, and 2) communication skills (Table 1). By understanding, clarifying, and prioritizing goals, and having the skills to communicate their goals, priorities, and preferences to providers, Veterans will gain knowledge, confidence, and skills to be actively involved in managing their chronic pain. The intervention consists of 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions focused on teaching skills related to goal clarification/prioritization and communication (30-minutes each), delivered weekly for the first 4 weeks, plus 2 booster sessions (20-25 minutes each) delivered once per month for the next 2 months.

Veterans randomized to the control group will receive phone calls on the same schedule as intervention Veterans. During these phone calls, study staff will ask Veterans a series of questions about their pain, self-management activities, and any changes they have experienced since the last call. These phone calls are designed to control for attention only, and Veterans will not be offered specific information or advice about their pain or its management (with the exception of suggesting a doctor visit if warranted).

Intervention patients will focus on 1) goal clarification/prioritization; 2) communication skills. There are 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions teaching skills (30 min each) and 2 booster sessions delivered once/month for the next 2 months. Intervention will be delivered by telephone.

Communication and Activation in Pain to Enhance Relationships and Treat Pain with Equity (COOPERATE): . COOPERATE seeks to improve patient activation in minority Veterans with chronic pain by focusing on two major skill sets: 1) goal clarification and prioritization, and 2) communication skills (Table 1). By understanding, clarifying, and prioritizing goals, and having the skills to communicate their goals, priorities, and preferences to providers, Veterans will gain knowledge, confidence, and skills to be actively involved in managing their chronic pain. The intervention consists of 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions focused on teaching skills related to goal clarification/prioritization and communication (30-minutes each), delivered weekly for the first 4 weeks, plus 2 booster sessions (20-25 minutes each) delivered once per month for the next 2 months.

Veterans randomized to the control group will receive phone calls on the same schedule as intervention Veterans. During these phone calls, study staff will ask Veterans a series of questions about their pain, self-management activities, and any changes they have experienced since the last call. These phone calls are designed to control for attention only, and Veterans will not be offered specific information or advice about their pain or its management (with the exception of suggesting a doctor visit if warranted).

Intervention patients will focus on 1) goal clarification/prioritization; 2) communication skills. There are 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions teaching skills (30 min each) and 2 booster sessions delivered once/month for the next 2 months. Intervention will be delivered by telephone.

Communication and Activation in Pain to Enhance Relationships and Treat Pain with Equity (COOPERATE): . COOPERATE seeks to improve patient activation in minority Veterans with chronic pain by focusing on two major skill sets: 1) goal clarification and prioritization, and 2) communication skills (Table 1). By understanding, clarifying, and prioritizing goals, and having the skills to communicate their goals, priorities, and preferences to providers, Veterans will gain knowledge, confidence, and skills to be actively involved in managing their chronic pain. The intervention consists of 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions focused on teaching skills related to goal clarification/prioritization and communication (30-minutes each), delivered weekly for the first 4 weeks, plus 2 booster sessions (20-25 minutes each) delivered once per month for the next 2 months.

Veterans randomized to the control group will receive phone calls on the same schedule as intervention Veterans. During these phone calls, study staff will ask Veterans a series of questions about their pain, self-management activities, and any changes they have experienced since the last call. These phone calls are designed to control for attention only, and Veterans will not be offered specific information or advice about their pain or its management (with the exception of suggesting a doctor visit if warranted).

Intervention patients will focus on 1) goal clarification/prioritization; 2) communication skills. There are 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions teaching skills (30 min each) and 2 booster sessions delivered once/month for the next 2 months. Intervention will be delivered by telephone.

Communication and Activation in Pain to Enhance Relationships and Treat Pain with Equity (COOPERATE): . COOPERATE seeks to improve patient activation in minority Veterans with chronic pain by focusing on two major skill sets: 1) goal clarification and prioritization, and 2) communication skills (Table 1). By understanding, clarifying, and prioritizing goals, and having the skills to communicate their goals, priorities, and preferences to providers, Veterans will gain knowledge, confidence, and skills to be actively involved in managing their chronic pain. The intervention consists of 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions focused on teaching skills related to goal clarification/prioritization and communication (30-minutes each), delivered weekly for the first 4 weeks, plus 2 booster sessions (20-25 minutes each) delivered once per month for the next 2 months.

Veterans randomized to the control group will receive phone calls on the same schedule as intervention Veterans. During these phone calls, study staff will ask Veterans a series of questions about their pain, self-management activities, and any changes they have experienced since the last call. These phone calls are designed to control for attention only, and Veterans will not be offered specific information or advice about their pain or its management (with the exception of suggesting a doctor visit if warranted).

Intervention patients will focus on 1) goal clarification/prioritization; 2) communication skills. There are 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions teaching skills (30 min each) and 2 booster sessions delivered once/month for the next 2 months. Intervention will be delivered by telephone.

Communication and Activation in Pain to Enhance Relationships and Treat Pain with Equity (COOPERATE): . COOPERATE seeks to improve patient activation in minority Veterans with chronic pain by focusing on two major skill sets: 1) goal clarification and prioritization, and 2) communication skills (Table 1). By understanding, clarifying, and prioritizing goals, and having the skills to communicate their goals, priorities, and preferences to providers, Veterans will gain knowledge, confidence, and skills to be actively involved in managing their chronic pain. The intervention consists of 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions focused on teaching skills related to goal clarification/prioritization and communication (30-minutes each), delivered weekly for the first 4 weeks, plus 2 booster sessions (20-25 minutes each) delivered once per month for the next 2 months.

Veterans randomized to the control group will receive phone calls on the same schedule as intervention Veterans. During these phone calls, study staff will ask Veterans a series of questions about their pain, self-management activities, and any changes they have experienced since the last call. These phone calls are designed to control for attention only, and Veterans will not be offered specific information or advice about their pain or its management (with the exception of suggesting a doctor visit if warranted).

Intervention patients will focus on 1) goal clarification/prioritization; 2) communication skills. There are 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions teaching skills (30 min each) and 2 booster sessions delivered once/month for the next 2 months. Intervention will be delivered by telephone.

Communication and Activation in Pain to Enhance Relationships and Treat Pain with Equity (COOPERATE): . COOPERATE seeks to improve patient activation in minority Veterans with chronic pain by focusing on two major skill sets: 1) goal clarification and prioritization, and 2) communication skills (Table 1). By understanding, clarifying, and prioritizing goals, and having the skills to communicate their goals, priorities, and preferences to providers, Veterans will gain knowledge, confidence, and skills to be actively involved in managing their chronic pain. The intervention consists of 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions focused on teaching skills related to goal clarification/prioritization and communication (30-minutes each), delivered weekly for the first 4 weeks, plus 2 booster sessions (20-25 minutes each) delivered once per month for the next 2 months.

Veterans randomized to the control group will receive phone calls on the same schedule as intervention Veterans. During these phone calls, study staff will ask Veterans a series of questions about their pain, self-management activities, and any changes they have experienced since the last call. These phone calls are designed to control for attention only, and Veterans will not be offered specific information or advice about their pain or its management (with the exception of suggesting a doctor visit if warranted).

Intervention patients will focus on 1) goal clarification/prioritization; 2) communication skills. There are 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions teaching skills (30 min each) and 2 booster sessions delivered once/month for the next 2 months. Intervention will be delivered by telephone.

Communication and Activation in Pain to Enhance Relationships and Treat Pain with Equity (COOPERATE): . COOPERATE seeks to improve patient activation in minority Veterans with chronic pain by focusing on two major skill sets: 1) goal clarification and prioritization, and 2) communication skills (Table 1). By understanding, clarifying, and prioritizing goals, and having the skills to communicate their goals, priorities, and preferences to providers, Veterans will gain knowledge, confidence, and skills to be actively involved in managing their chronic pain. The intervention consists of 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions focused on teaching skills related to goal clarification/prioritization and communication (30-minutes each), delivered weekly for the first 4 weeks, plus 2 booster sessions (20-25 minutes each) delivered once per month for the next 2 months.

Veterans randomized to the control group will receive phone calls on the same schedule as intervention Veterans. During these phone calls, study staff will ask Veterans a series of questions about their pain, self-management activities, and any changes they have experienced since the last call. These phone calls are designed to control for attention only, and Veterans will not be offered specific information or advice about their pain or its management (with the exception of suggesting a doctor visit if warranted).

Intervention patients will focus on 1) goal clarification/prioritization; 2) communication skills. There are 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions teaching skills (30 min each) and 2 booster sessions delivered once/month for the next 2 months. Intervention will be delivered by telephone.

Communication and Activation in Pain to Enhance Relationships and Treat Pain with Equity (COOPERATE): . COOPERATE seeks to improve patient activation in minority Veterans with chronic pain by focusing on two major skill sets: 1) goal clarification and prioritization, and 2) communication skills (Table 1). By understanding, clarifying, and prioritizing goals, and having the skills to communicate their goals, priorities, and preferences to providers, Veterans will gain knowledge, confidence, and skills to be actively involved in managing their chronic pain. The intervention consists of 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions focused on teaching skills related to goal clarification/prioritization and communication (30-minutes each), delivered weekly for the first 4 weeks, plus 2 booster sessions (20-25 minutes each) delivered once per month for the next 2 months.

Veterans randomized to the control group will receive phone calls on the same schedule as intervention Veterans. During these phone calls, study staff will ask Veterans a series of questions about their pain, self-management activities, and any changes they have experienced since the last call. These phone calls are designed to control for attention only, and Veterans will not be offered specific information or advice about their pain or its management (with the exception of suggesting a doctor visit if warranted).

Intervention patients will focus on 1) goal clarification/prioritization; 2) communication skills. There are 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions teaching skills (30 min each) and 2 booster sessions delivered once/month for the next 2 months. Intervention will be delivered by telephone.

Communication and Activation in Pain to Enhance Relationships and Treat Pain with Equity (COOPERATE): . COOPERATE seeks to improve patient activation in minority Veterans with chronic pain by focusing on two major skill sets: 1) goal clarification and prioritization, and 2) communication skills (Table 1). By understanding, clarifying, and prioritizing goals, and having the skills to communicate their goals, priorities, and preferences to providers, Veterans will gain knowledge, confidence, and skills to be actively involved in managing their chronic pain. The intervention consists of 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions focused on teaching skills related to goal clarification/prioritization and communication (30-minutes each), delivered weekly for the first 4 weeks, plus 2 booster sessions (20-25 minutes each) delivered once per month for the next 2 months.

Veterans randomized to the control group will receive phone calls on the same schedule as intervention Veterans. During these phone calls, study staff will ask Veterans a series of questions about their pain, self-management activities, and any changes they have experienced since the last call. These phone calls are designed to control for attention only, and Veterans will not be offered specific information or advice about their pain or its management (with the exception of suggesting a doctor visit if warranted).

Intervention patients will focus on 1) goal clarification/prioritization; 2) communication skills. There are 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions teaching skills (30 min each) and 2 booster sessions delivered once/month for the next 2 months. Intervention will be delivered by telephone.

Communication and Activation in Pain to Enhance Relationships and Treat Pain with Equity (COOPERATE): . COOPERATE seeks to improve patient activation in minority Veterans with chronic pain by focusing on two major skill sets: 1) goal clarification and prioritization, and 2) communication skills (Table 1). By understanding, clarifying, and prioritizing goals, and having the skills to communicate their goals, priorities, and preferences to providers, Veterans will gain knowledge, confidence, and skills to be actively involved in managing their chronic pain. The intervention consists of 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions focused on teaching skills related to goal clarification/prioritization and communication (30-minutes each), delivered weekly for the first 4 weeks, plus 2 booster sessions (20-25 minutes each) delivered once per month for the next 2 months.

Veterans randomized to the control group will receive phone calls on the same schedule as intervention Veterans. During these phone calls, study staff will ask Veterans a series of questions about their pain, self-management activities, and any changes they have experienced since the last call. These phone calls are designed to control for attention only, and Veterans will not be offered specific information or advice about their pain or its management (with the exception of suggesting a doctor visit if warranted).

Intervention patients will focus on 1) goal clarification/prioritization; 2) communication skills. There are 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions teaching skills (30 min each) and 2 booster sessions delivered once/month for the next 2 months. Intervention will be delivered by telephone.

Communication and Activation in Pain to Enhance Relationships and Treat Pain with Equity (COOPERATE): . COOPERATE seeks to improve patient activation in minority Veterans with chronic pain by focusing on two major skill sets: 1) goal clarification and prioritization, and 2) communication skills (Table 1). By understanding, clarifying, and prioritizing goals, and having the skills to communicate their goals, priorities, and preferences to providers, Veterans will gain knowledge, confidence, and skills to be actively involved in managing their chronic pain. The intervention consists of 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions focused on teaching skills related to goal clarification/prioritization and communication (30-minutes each), delivered weekly for the first 4 weeks, plus 2 booster sessions (20-25 minutes each) delivered once per month for the next 2 months.

Veterans randomized to the control group will receive phone calls on the same schedule as intervention Veterans. During these phone calls, study staff will ask Veterans a series of questions about their pain, self-management activities, and any changes they have experienced since the last call. These phone calls are designed to control for attention only, and Veterans will not be offered specific information or advice about their pain or its management (with the exception of suggesting a doctor visit if warranted).

Intervention patients will focus on 1) goal clarification/prioritization; 2) communication skills. There are 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions teaching skills (30 min each) and 2 booster sessions delivered once/month for the next 2 months. Intervention will be delivered by telephone.

Communication and Activation in Pain to Enhance Relationships and Treat Pain with Equity (COOPERATE): . COOPERATE seeks to improve patient activation in minority Veterans with chronic pain by focusing on two major skill sets: 1) goal clarification and prioritization, and 2) communication skills (Table 1). By understanding, clarifying, and prioritizing goals, and having the skills to communicate their goals, priorities, and preferences to providers, Veterans will gain knowledge, confidence, and skills to be actively involved in managing their chronic pain. The intervention consists of 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions focused on teaching skills related to goal clarification/prioritization and communication (30-minutes each), delivered weekly for the first 4 weeks, plus 2 booster sessions (20-25 minutes each) delivered once per month for the next 2 months.

Veterans randomized to the control group will receive phone calls on the same schedule as intervention Veterans. During these phone calls, study staff will ask Veterans a series of questions about their pain, self-management activities, and any changes they have experienced since the last call. These phone calls are designed to control for attention only, and Veterans will not be offered specific information or advice about their pain or its management (with the exception of suggesting a doctor visit if warranted).

Intervention patients will focus on 1) goal clarification/prioritization; 2) communication skills. There are 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions teaching skills (30 min each) and 2 booster sessions delivered once/month for the next 2 months. Intervention will be delivered by telephone.

Communication and Activation in Pain to Enhance Relationships and Treat Pain with Equity (COOPERATE): . COOPERATE seeks to improve patient activation in minority Veterans with chronic pain by focusing on two major skill sets: 1) goal clarification and prioritization, and 2) communication skills (Table 1). By understanding, clarifying, and prioritizing goals, and having the skills to communicate their goals, priorities, and preferences to providers, Veterans will gain knowledge, confidence, and skills to be actively involved in managing their chronic pain. The intervention consists of 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions focused on teaching skills related to goal clarification/prioritization and communication (30-minutes each), delivered weekly for the first 4 weeks, plus 2 booster sessions (20-25 minutes each) delivered once per month for the next 2 months.

Veterans randomized to the control group will receive phone calls on the same schedule as intervention Veterans. During these phone calls, study staff will ask Veterans a series of questions about their pain, self-management activities, and any changes they have experienced since the last call. These phone calls are designed to control for attention only, and Veterans will not be offered specific information or advice about their pain or its management (with the exception of suggesting a doctor visit if warranted).

Intervention patients will focus on 1) goal clarification/prioritization; 2) communication skills. There are 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions teaching skills (30 min each) and 2 booster sessions delivered once/month for the next 2 months. Intervention will be delivered by telephone.

Communication and Activation in Pain to Enhance Relationships and Treat Pain with Equity (COOPERATE): . COOPERATE seeks to improve patient activation in minority Veterans with chronic pain by focusing on two major skill sets: 1) goal clarification and prioritization, and 2) communication skills (Table 1). By understanding, clarifying, and prioritizing goals, and having the skills to communicate their goals, priorities, and preferences to providers, Veterans will gain knowledge, confidence, and skills to be actively involved in managing their chronic pain. The intervention consists of 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions focused on teaching skills related to goal clarification/prioritization and communication (30-minutes each), delivered weekly for the first 4 weeks, plus 2 booster sessions (20-25 minutes each) delivered once per month for the next 2 months.

Veterans randomized to the control group will receive phone calls on the same schedule as intervention Veterans. During these phone calls, study staff will ask Veterans a series of questions about their pain, self-management activities, and any changes they have experienced since the last call. These phone calls are designed to control for attention only, and Veterans will not be offered specific information or advice about their pain or its management (with the exception of suggesting a doctor visit if warranted).

Intervention patients will focus on 1) goal clarification/prioritization; 2) communication skills. There are 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions teaching skills (30 min each) and 2 booster sessions delivered once/month for the next 2 months. Intervention will be delivered by telephone.

Communication and Activation in Pain to Enhance Relationships and Treat Pain with Equity (COOPERATE): . COOPERATE seeks to improve patient activation in minority Veterans with chronic pain by focusing on two major skill sets: 1) goal clarification and prioritization, and 2) communication skills (Table 1). By understanding, clarifying, and prioritizing goals, and having the skills to communicate their goals, priorities, and preferences to providers, Veterans will gain knowledge, confidence, and skills to be actively involved in managing their chronic pain. The intervention consists of 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions focused on teaching skills related to goal clarification/prioritization and communication (30-minutes each), delivered weekly for the first 4 weeks, plus 2 booster sessions (20-25 minutes each) delivered once per month for the next 2 months.

Veterans randomized to the control group will receive phone calls on the same schedule as intervention Veterans. During these phone calls, study staff will ask Veterans a series of questions about their pain, self-management activities, and any changes they have experienced since the last call. These phone calls are designed to control for attention only, and Veterans will not be offered specific information or advice about their pain or its management (with the exception of suggesting a doctor visit if warranted).

Intervention patients will focus on 1) goal clarification/prioritization; 2) communication skills. There are 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions teaching skills (30 min each) and 2 booster sessions delivered once/month for the next 2 months. Intervention will be delivered by telephone.

Communication and Activation in Pain to Enhance Relationships and Treat Pain with Equity (COOPERATE): . COOPERATE seeks to improve patient activation in minority Veterans with chronic pain by focusing on two major skill sets: 1) goal clarification and prioritization, and 2) communication skills (Table 1). By understanding, clarifying, and prioritizing goals, and having the skills to communicate their goals, priorities, and preferences to providers, Veterans will gain knowledge, confidence, and skills to be actively involved in managing their chronic pain. The intervention consists of 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions focused on teaching skills related to goal clarification/prioritization and communication (30-minutes each), delivered weekly for the first 4 weeks, plus 2 booster sessions (20-25 minutes each) delivered once per month for the next 2 months.

Veterans randomized to the control group will receive phone calls on the same schedule as intervention Veterans. During these phone calls, study staff will ask Veterans a series of questions about their pain, self-management activities, and any changes they have experienced since the last call. These phone calls are designed to control for attention only, and Veterans will not be offered specific information or advice about their pain or its management (with the exception of suggesting a doctor visit if warranted).

Intervention patients will focus on 1) goal clarification/prioritization; 2) communication skills. There are 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions teaching skills (30 min each) and 2 booster sessions delivered once/month for the next 2 months. Intervention will be delivered by telephone.

Communication and Activation in Pain to Enhance Relationships and Treat Pain with Equity (COOPERATE): . COOPERATE seeks to improve patient activation in minority Veterans with chronic pain by focusing on two major skill sets: 1) goal clarification and prioritization, and 2) communication skills (Table 1). By understanding, clarifying, and prioritizing goals, and having the skills to communicate their goals, priorities, and preferences to providers, Veterans will gain knowledge, confidence, and skills to be actively involved in managing their chronic pain. The intervention consists of 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions focused on teaching skills related to goal clarification/prioritization and communication (30-minutes each), delivered weekly for the first 4 weeks, plus 2 booster sessions (20-25 minutes each) delivered once per month for the next 2 months.

Veterans randomized to the control group will receive phone calls on the same schedule as intervention Veterans. During these phone calls, study staff will ask Veterans a series of questions about their pain, self-management activities, and any changes they have experienced since the last call. These phone calls are designed to control for attention only, and Veterans will not be offered specific information or advice about their pain or its management (with the exception of suggesting a doctor visit if warranted).

Intervention patients will focus on 1) goal clarification/prioritization; 2) communication skills. There are 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions teaching skills (30 min each) and 2 booster sessions delivered once/month for the next 2 months. Intervention will be delivered by telephone.

Communication and Activation in Pain to Enhance Relationships and Treat Pain with Equity (COOPERATE): . COOPERATE seeks to improve patient activation in minority Veterans with chronic pain by focusing on two major skill sets: 1) goal clarification and prioritization, and 2) communication skills (Table 1). By understanding, clarifying, and prioritizing goals, and having the skills to communicate their goals, priorities, and preferences to providers, Veterans will gain knowledge, confidence, and skills to be actively involved in managing their chronic pain. The intervention consists of 6 total sessions delivered individually over 12 weeks: 4 sessions focused on teaching skills related to goal clarification/prioritization and communication (30-minutes each), delivered weekly for the first 4 weeks, plus 2 booster sessions (20-25 minutes each) delivered once per month for the next 2 months.

Veterans randomized to the control group will receive phone calls on the same schedule as intervention Veterans. During these phone calls, study staff will ask Veterans a series of questions about their pain, self-management activities, and any changes they have experienced since the last call. These phone calls are designed to control for attention only, and Veterans will not be offered specific information or advice about their pain or its management (with the exception of suggesting a doctor visit if warranted).