Pain Treatment Services
THE COMFORT ABILITY:
A Pain Management Workshop for Youth with Chronic Pain and their Parents
The Pain Treatment Service invites you and your child to join us for a one-day workshop to help children and their parents learn how to better manage chronic pain. The Comfort Ability pain management workshop includes a child group and a parent group running simultaneously and emphasizing the mind-body connection, offering non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical strategies for improved pain management.
WHAT IS THE COMFORT ABILITY?
The Comfort Ability is a fun and interactive workshop focused on improved pain management. The program is run by staff psychologists at the Pain Treatment Service and introduces cognitive behavioral and biobehavioral pain management strategies. This program is designed to provide families with a foundation for understanding how psychological interventions can facilitate improved pain management. It is also designed to provide youth and their parents with the skills that are necessary to encourage improved functioning from both an emotional and physical perspective.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE COMFORT ABILITY?
Youth and their parents start off the day together, but most of the day is spent in separate groups. Youth will gain an introduction to biobehavioral pain management strategies including guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation and biofeedback with a chance to practice these skills in a group setting. They will also learn about how pain functions in the body, receive an introduction to cognitive behavioral therapy strategies, and participate in a group art project. Additionally, youth will have an opportunity to share with peers about their pain experiences and learn from others. Parents will receive psychoeducation regarding adaptive management of chronic pain, learn new strategies for supporting their child at home and school, and learn about the biobehavioral and cognitive behavioral skills their child will learn to use.
WHO CAN ATTEND?
Youth ages 10-17 with chronic or recurrent pain are eligible. It is especially targeted to youth who are struggling to maintain functioning in the context of pain. Common reasons for referrals include school absenteeism, concerns regarding pain-related anxiety or depression, high levels of functional disability, or pain that does not go away as expected. Additionally, this workshop is appropriate for any child or adolescent who is looking to find better ways to manage pain, or any parent that is trying to learn adaptive strategies for supporting their child at home or school.
HOW DO I ENROLL?
The cost for the program is $120. This includes youth participation and up to two caregivers. This service is not covered by insurance. Financial assistance is available. The program runs every three months and registration for groups is on a rolling basis. If you have interest in participating in this program with your child or have any questions, please feel free to call Dr. Coakley at 617-355-7581 or email rachael.coakley@childrens.harvard.edu.
