Comfort Ability Workshop

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General information

*Please note that all Comfort Ability Workshops will be held virtually until further notice*

Doernbecher is proud to present the Comfort Ability Workshop, which is now being held at OHSU quarterly. Originally designed at Boston Children’s Hospital, the Comfort Ability Workshop is being conducted both nationally and internationally!

The Comfort Ability® Program helps kids (ages 10-17), parents, and caregivers learn how to better manage recurring functional symptoms such as chronic pain (nerve, muscle or joint pain, headaches, abdominal pain, etc.), nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and muscle weakness. The program teaches how the nervous system works in the body and why skills rooted in psychology can help. It also gives kids and caregivers the chance to learn and practice many proven coping skills based in cognitive behavioral therapy.

The program is run by the Pediatric Pain Management Program in OHSU's Comprehensive Pain Center. 

The workshop is designed to support youth with the following diagnoses:

  • Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain (AMPS)
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
  • Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)
  • Endometriosis
  • Migraine headache
  • Fibromyalgia (whole body pain)
  • Functional Abdominal Pain (FAP) and other
  • Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBIs)
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA)
  • Musculoskeletal pain
  • Neuropathic pain
  • Post-concussive headache
  • Post-injury pain
  • Post-surgical pain
  • Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
  • Sickle Cell Disease

Testimonials

"The Comfort Ability workshop was incredible for our whole family. It has been a game changer on many levels. We're so grateful to have been able to attend, and I hope every family will have this opportunity moving forward."

- Parent

"It was nice to be with a group of people my age who are all dealing with pain like me."

- Child

"Thank you so much for putting this program together! I really appreciate that it was there for my patient when she needed it. I do not know how else we would have helped them had this program not been available."

- Family Medicine Physician

What will I need?

You will need a computer or tablet with a webcam with access to the internet. The workshop will be held via Webex, so you will need to download the Webex application prior to attending the workshop. Instructions on how to use and download Webex will be sent via MyChart prior to the workshop. You can find the link to the Webex in your child's MyChart listed as a virtual appointment.

Comfort Ability materials that will be used during the workshop will be mailed to your home. Please let us know if you have any questions about materials/technology by emailing comfortability@ohsu.edu. 

What is the layout of the workshops?

The caregiver session will take place on either Saturday or Sunday (typically 9am-3pm) the weekend prior to the first child session. Child sessions are split into three sessions over two weeks. Each session is roughly 2 hours. 

I have more questions about the virtual format.

Our team is happy to walk you through the process! Please contact the Comfort Ability Coordinator, Jessica Heierle, at comfortability@ohsu.edu or by phone at 503-964-0267.

Provider Referrals and How to Obtain a Referral

If you are a provider who would like to refer a patient to Comfort Ability:

If you have questions on how to refer a patient, please see the following link: https://www.ohsu.edu/referral-service/refer-patient-ohsu-faq

If you would like to obtain a referral from your provider:

  • Contact your PCP and ask them to place a referral to OHSU's Comprehensive Pain Center and specify "Comfort Ability Workshop". 

  • How much does the workshop cost?
    • Depending on your health insurance provider, this workshop may be covered by insurance. To find out if this is covered by your insurance, please contact the Comprehensive Pain Management Center at 503-418-5188.
  • What do I do if my insurance doesn't cover the workshop?
    • Families have the option to pay for the workshop out-of-pocket.

  • I have a question about the workshop and I can't find the answer online, who should I contact?
    • Regarding scheduling, please contact the Comprehensive Pain Center at 503-418-5188. If your question is not regarding scheduling, please contact the Comfort Ability Coordinator, Jessica Heierle, at comfortability@ohsu.edu or by phone at 503-964-0267.
  • Do parents and children both need to attend?
    • We highly recommended primary caregivers and children participate, and that children participate for all three days. The caregiver and child portions are complimentary, and each of the youth sessions builds on the last. If your teen is unable to join all three sessions, we encourage families to enroll in the next workshop.
  • My child is younger than 10. Can they attend?
    • The workshop was specifically structured and designed for children between the ages of 10-17. Historically, we've found that children younger than 10 years of age may have difficulty sitting through the workshop and relating to their older peers' experiences with chronic pain. 
  • Do I need to be in Oregon at the time of the workshop?
    • Yes, you need to be in Oregon at the time of the workshop. Workshops are conducted by licensed psychologists and psychologist trainees, and due to state licensing laws providers will not be able to conduct the workshop if attendees are out of state. Please contact the Comfort Ability team at comfortability@ohsu.edu if you have any questions.

Upcoming workshops

October Workshop: In-Person

  • Saturday, October 5th, 9am-4pm

Contact Info

Please contact our Comfort Ability Coordinator, Jessica Heierle, with questions at:

Contact us

How can we help you?

For more about Comfort Ability

Visit our national website