Dr. Daniel Lev, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Specialties : Behavioral Medicine Specialist, Chronic Pain Psychologist,Comfort Therapy, Clinical Hypnosis & Meditation, FamilySystems Couples & Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Positive Psychology, Religious & Spiritual Counseling

The “Kailua Comfort Clinic” is the practice I’ve developed to serve the people in Hawaii who struggle with problems such as chronic pain and illness, depression, anxiety, stress, lack of confidence, harmful habits, family distress, or couples conflicts. Its purpose is to show you how to create a more comfortable life. Sometimes, it may feel like that is impossible but, no matter what problem you’re dealing with, here is the good news – there is hope! That’s right – one hundred years of scientific research and clinical practice has demonstrated that psychological services will help return you to a more comfortable life. Combining my 25-years of professional expertise with your personal strengths and experiences, we can work together to find the positive change and comfort you seek. I use brain-based, and strengths focused, approaches within the four professional “hats” I wear – Behavioral Medicine Specialist/Pain Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Clinical Hypnotist, and Spiritual Counselor. Below, I will briefly describe these roles. For more detailed nformation, please visit my website at TheComfortClinic.com. As a Behavioral Medicine Specialist, I’m experienced in addressing the problems of people struggling with a number of chronic physical conditions, including Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Nicotine addiction. I also have a very strong sub-specialty as a Pain Psychologist. That means that I know how chronic pain works, what makes it worse, and the skills you can use to raise your comfort and activity levels. This “Skills and Pills” approach combines a set of “Comfort Skills” with a moderate amount of pain medicine and physical therapy. The research has clearly demonstrated that this is more helpful than medical treatment alone. When it comes to chronic pain, my overall goal is to work with you to discover how you can more comfortably “live life” - not merely “live with the pain.” Most pain doctors and therapists suggest that you try to manage, accept, or run away from the pain. My approach differs in that I advocate the use of “Comfort Therapy,” which is a skill-based practice that helps you pursue Comfort instead of focusing on pain. This method is based on findings from clinical and brain-based research, as well as from my personal experience working with, and learning from, people-in-pain. What do I mean by “Comfort” and how does it help you? First of all, let’s look at “Misery.” This is caused by emotional states such as depression, anxiety, anger, and stress. When your Misery level increases, it sensitizes your nervous system and that increases pain. Comfort is the opposite of Misery –it’s made up of pleasurable moods, calm feelings and hopeful, positive thoughts. When you raise your Comfort level it calms your brain and nerves to the point that you’ll either 1) feel less physical discomfort or, 2) feel less bothered by pain even when its level hasn’t changed. One way to raise your comfort is through a collection of techniques and lifestyle changes that I call “Comfort Skills.” Many of these are used in standard pain management but here the purpose is to raise Comfort instead of managing pain. I will train you in Comfort Skills and explore with you ways to reduce the misery in your life. The program I offer includes individual sessions, a six-week, Comfort Skills Workshop, a ongoing Self-Hypnosis Classes, and support groups. As a Psychotherapist, I work with you to solve other problems that concern you. To paraphrase one master psychologist, Nick Cummings, “…psychotherapy is a behavioral health procedure that is therapeutic.” Its “talk therapy” between a psychotherapist and a client or group, usually done face-to-face. The psychotherapist’s intent is to figure out what is causing your problem and then help you to either change some of your thoughts, feelings and actions, and/or rediscover your strengths. When you do this, you have a good chance of returning back to a state of comfort, well-being and good health. For those of you who are struggling with problems that you haven’t been able to solve, I’m here to work with you towards making the changes you desire. I work in the present moment and do not spend a great deal of time digging into your family history unless it directly helps you to shift the problem. As a Clinical Hypnotist, I can help you learn to use this technique to make the changes you desire. According to the American Society for Clinical Hypnosis, Hypnosis is “…a state of inner absorption, concentration and focused attention. It is like using a magnifying glass to focus the rays of the sun and make them more powerful. Similarly, when our minds are concentrated and focused, we are able to use our minds more powerfully.” In other words, Hypnosis is a skill you can use to influence your brain and body. When you use that skill, you can change a number of problems. As a Spiritual and Religious Counselor, I have worked with people from a many religions and spiritual cultures. As an observant Jew, and an ordained as a rabbi, I’m engaged in an ongoing sacred tradition. This gives me an understanding, from the inside, of the rewards and challenges faced by most person of faith and spiritual practitioners. As I work with you on any difficulties you’re encountering, I will show the utmost respect for, and sensitivity towards, your personal beliefs.