MILIKA CENTER FOR THERAPY & RESILIENCE
The Comfort Ability® Program
Helping kids, teens, and caregviers build confidence and coping tools to navigate chronic pain and other functional symptoms.
The workshop is offered virtually across California.
A Path Forward for Kids and Teens Living With Ongoing Pain and Discomfort
When a child lives with ongoing pain or physical discomfort, it affects the whole family. Missed school days, limited activities, frustration, worry, and the constant question of “Why isn’t this getting better?” can be overwhelming.
The Comfort Ability® Program, now offered at MILIKA CENTER, is a nationally recognized, science-backed program designed to help kids, teens, and their caregivers learn practical skills to better manage chronic or recurring physical symptoms—and get back to living full, meaningful lives.
What is the Comfort Ability Program (CAP)?
The Comfort Ability® Program is a clinical intervention developed at Boston Children’s Hospital by Dr. Rachael Coakley, a leading pediatric pain psychologist affiliated with Harvard Medical School.
It is an evidence-based workshop that introduces cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help children and teens manage chronic pain and functional symptoms. These workshops are a widely recommended intervention for young people experiencing ongoing discomfort.
Through the sessions, children and caregivers learn how the brain and nervous system influence pain, build understanding through neuroscience education, and gain support from peers facing similar challenges. The program provides practical, hands-on skills for both kids and parents/caregivers, empowering families to work together.
Who Is This Program For?
The Comfort Ability® Program workshop is designed for:
- Youth ages 10–17 who experience ongoing functional symptoms, such as recurring pain, headaches, abdominal pain, joint or muscle pain, fibromyalgia, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and muscle weakness.
- Kids and teens who may already be working with medical providers, but still struggle with daily functioning due to pain.
- Families who are seeking effective, collaborative strategies to support their child’s emotional and physical well-being.
If your child has ever felt dismissed, isolated, or frustrated by their pain experience, this program can offer understanding and hope.
Types of Conditions
The Comfort Ability® Program workshop is designed for individuals experiencing persistent pain and functional symptoms. These include headaches, abdominal pain, neuropathic pain, musculoskeletal pain, post-injury pain, and disease-related pain, as well as symptoms such as nausea and fatigue. The program can also support individuals with functional neurological symptom disorder (FND/FNSD), Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and related conditions.
What Can Families Expect?
The Comfort Ability® Program is grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mind-body strategies that have been proven to help children and teens manage chronic pain more effectively. The workshop is offered as a multi-session virtual group program (delivered over two weeks), with separate groups for youth and parents.
During the workshop, child/teen participants will:
- Learn about how the brain works and how it influences pain and discomfort.
- Explore psychology-based strategies to improve comfort and coping.
- Practice a variety of evidence-based mind-body skills that calm the nervous system and support recovery.
- Discuss symptom-related stress, including: feeling different from friends, school challenges, missing out on activities, sleep challenges, managing sadness or anxiety.
- Talk with a peer mentor who has experience managing chronic pain and ask questions in a supportive environment.
- Create a personalized Comfort Ability® plan to guide coping and support long-term recovery.
Parents/caregivers will be provided with:
- Learn ways to support their child with their discomfort.
- Receive tools to help them improve daily functioning.
- Create a plan to help with the management of their child’s discomfort.
Our team creates a supportive, shame-free environment where children, teens, and caregivers feel heard, respected, and empowered.
Additional Comfort Ability® Resources
Families enrolled in the program also gain access to:
✔ Free Monthly Online Health Chats
Moderated by pediatric psychologists and supported by peer or parent mentors. Open to the community—no hospital affiliation required.
✔ Quarterly Comfort Ability® Newsletter
Curated, science-backed resources including apps, books, websites, and programs for managing chronic symptoms.
✔ Family-Centered Educational Website
Visit www.thecomfortability.com for trusted information and ongoing support.
Dr. Kanchi and her team are life savers..
As a UCLA provider, I need trusted referral sources for my most vulnerable patients. The MILIKA Center providers patient-centered, comprehensive, and evidence based care for youth and families who are facing medical stress and/or anything else that life throws our way. Look no farther this private practice. They will work with your family, patient and/or team and provide actual good mental health care!! Worth every penny!
- Dr. Natacha Emerson | Ph.D. | Co-Director of UCLA Pediatric Psychiatry Consultation-Liaison (C/L) Service at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center and the Pediatric Psychology C/L Service at Mattel Children's Hospital.
The therapists and team at MILIKA are fantastic...
As a pediatric neurologist I see many patients who would benefit from mental health care for school related anxiety, stress over college applications, difficulty coping with a chronic illness, and various other reasons. I never hesitate to refer patients to MILIKA. And all my patients who have worked with MILIKA therapists report a wonderful and beneficial experience. I also like that MILIKA will work with patients' insurance companies to reduce out of pocket costs. 100% recommend the MILIKA Center.
- Dr. Lauren Waldron | UCLA Pediatric Neurologist
Dr. Kanchi and her team at MILIKA have been phenomenal!
They go above and beyond in caring for the patients I have referred!
- Dr. Juan Alejos | Medical Director of the UCLA Pediatric Heart Transplant/Cardiomyopathy Program | Director of the UCLA Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension program.
Dr. [Kanchi] Wijesekera has long been a trusted expert in trauma therapy...
offering evidence-based approaches that foster deep healing. MILIKA Center for Therapy and Resilience is a testament to her commitment to providing compassionate, cutting-edge care. With a team of skilled professionals and a welcoming environment, the center specializes in trauma recovery through innovative techniques that are family focused, mindfulness-based, and trauma informed. Whether for individual healing or community support, this center is a beacon of hope for those seeking to reclaim their well-being. Highly recommend!
- Dr. Blanca Orellana | Ph.D. | Clinical Director for UCLA Stress Trauma and Resilience Clinic
I've had the pleasure of referring patients to Dr Kanchi and her team at the Milika Center, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive!
As a psychiatrist, I'm always on the lookout for top-notch resources to support my patients' mental health journeys. Their comprehensive therapy and resilience training programs for children, teens, and adults have made a tangible difference in the lives of my patients. I highly recommend the MILIKA Center!
- Dr. Linslee Egan | Board Certified Psychiatrist
ABOUT US
Why Work With Milika Center For Therapy & Resilience
Here at Milika Center for Therapy & Resilience, we know that living with chronic pain—especially as a child or teen—can be an overwhelming and isolating experience. Seeking support isn’t just brave, it’s a powerful act of resilience and hope.
Whether your family is just beginning to explore treatment options or you’ve been searching for something that finally feels like it addresses the whole person, we want you to know: you are not alone. Our team is here to walk alongside you, offering compassionate, expert guidance every step of the way.
By partnering with Boston Children’s Hospital to offer the Comfort Ability Program, we’re proud to bring an evidence-based, empowering resource to families who deserve real tools and real understanding.
As the MILIKA Founder and Clinical Director, I am committed to fostering a safe and nurturing environment where individuals can embark on their journey towards healing and personal growth.
Thank you for choosing us as your partner in your mental wellness journey. We are so honored and excited to be here for you and help you unleash your inner resilience!
Warmest Regards,
Dr. Kanchi
Meet The Team
Clinical Director
Kanchi Wijesekera, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Venus Mirbod, Psy.D.
Associate Clinical Therapist
Lindsay Merrill, AFMT.
Associate Clinical Therapist
Jasmine Chow, AMFT.
Care Coordinator
Hailee Strong, M.A.
Yoga Instructor
Laily Gallo
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1.CAN WE ATTEND THE COMFORT ABILITY PROGRAM WORKSHOP VIRTUALLY?
Yes, the Comfort Ability® Program workshop is currently only offered virtually at this time. We are finalizing the dates for the workshop this year, so we hope to announce it in the upcoming weeks.
In the meantime, if you are interested, please reach out via phone or the inquiry submission below, and we will be sure to get back to you within 24-48 hours.
2. HOW IS THE PROGRAM STRUCTURED?
The virtual Comfort Ability® Program workshop has 2 components:
-
Parent Group: Two 3-hour sessions, each held on separate days
-
Child/Teen Group: Four 2-hour sessions, each held on separate days
3. WHAT IS THE COST, AND DO YOU PROVIDE A SUPERBILL FOR THE SERVICES?
The total cost of the program is $899, which includes 12–14 hours of workshop instruction, a parent guide, a child/teen guide, and a comfort kit. This averages to approximately $65–$75 per hour.
As out-of-network providers, we can provide a superbill upon request. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or need further clarification.
4. IS COMFORT ABILITY® PROGRAM A MEDICAL TREATMENT?
No. The Comfort Ability® Program is a psychoeducational, skills-based workshop—not a medical or diagnostic service. It is designed to complement medical care by providing education and research-backed strategies to help children, teens, and families cope with recurring pain and other functional symptoms, while also supporting improved daily functioning.
5. DO CAREGIVERS ATTEND THE FULL WORKSHOP?
Yes, caregiver participation is a key component of this workshop (up to 2 caregivers may participate). The caregivers have a separate workshop, offering practical tools and space to share experiences and gain support. Additionally, we encourage you to share what you learned in the workshop with the other supportive adults in your child’s life.
6. CAN OTHER CHILDREN ATTEND THE WORKSHOP?
This workshop is specifically developed for kids and teens between the ages of 10 and 17 who experience chronic pain. We are not able to accommodate siblings.
7. WHAT IF MY CHILD FEELS ANXIOUS ABOUT JOINING A GROUP?
That’s completely normal. The program is structured to be gentle, collaborative, and low-pressure, with breaks and validation at every step. We also assure participants that no one has to share thoughts or feelings with the group if they prefer not to share. With these practices in place, most kids and teens relax, feel at ease, and make it through the workshop without difficulty.
8. WILL THIS CURE MY CHILD’S PAIN?
Comfort Ability® Program doesn’t promise a cure, but with full participation across the workshop, it can equip youth and caregivers with research-backed knowledge and tools to better cope with pain, reduce emotional distress, and increase overall functioning.
9. HOW IS THE COMFORT ABILITY® PROGRAM WORKSHOP DIFFERENT FROM REGULAR THERAPY?
With parents participating in 6 hours over 2 days and teens receiving 8 hours across 2 weeks, the Comfort Ability® Program workshop is designed as a short-term, intensive intervention.
While traditional therapy typically occurs over weeks, months, or even years and often focuses on open-ended emotional processing, Comfort Ability® Program offers a focused, research-backed framework that teaches practical strategies for managing recurring pain and building resilience, all within a supportive group setting. Many families find that the Comfort Ability® Program workshop works well as a stand-alone or a complement to ongoing therapy.
10. CAN A PARENT ATTEND THE WORKSHOP WITHOUT THE CHILD?
There are separate parts of the workshop for kids and parents, and to get the best results it is important that parents or caregivers and their child attend this workshop. If you believe you have a special circumstance that would prevent your child from coming, please reach out to discuss this with our team.
11. DO YOU OFFER THE WORKSHOP IN OTHER LANGUAGES?
At this time, the workshop is offered only in English.
12. HOW DO I LEARN MORE AND/OR REGISTER TO ATTEND A COMFORT ABILITY® PROGRAM WORKSHOP?
To express your interest in joining an upcoming Comfort Ability® Program workshop at our center, please call 310-800-7112 or submit your interest using the inquiry submission form located below.
CONTACT US: Inquiries & Program Registration
🌟 Southern California First 🌟
MILIKA Center for Therapy & Resilience is proud to be the first center in Southern California to offer the Comfort Ability® Program.
Ready to get started?
Ready to get started? Start your journey towards resilience and mental well-being today by contacting us to schedule a consultation.