Is there anyone that has experience in using life coaching after your cancer treatment?
I’ve been reading an article about specialized “after cancer” life coaches that support you in rebuilding your life after cancer.
Being diagnosed with breast cancer had an overwhelming impact to my life. It affected my family life, my relationships, my friends, my career (and income!), but most of all my self esteem.
I’ve tried several therapies during and more after my breast cancer treatment (counselling, yoga, fitness, diets), but I feel still sort of in limbo, not knowing how to get my life back on track or what direction to chose and where to start… Does this sound familiar to you?
Might want to try this life coaching, but just curious if there is someone who tried this already and what your experience is.
Thank you!
i think a good life coach practicioner would be fantatic therapy. The only trouble would be finding the right person. Just because someone has specialised in using it for cancer does not necesserily mean that they are a good coach, it might just mean they have found a niche in the market and gone for it.
Problem is how do you find a good one?? If you live in north london I could recomend an excellant person who does something a bit similar. I think its called time therapy. A form of councelling where you look at where you are and what you have got going for you and what you can do with that to move forward. i am not so much recommending the therapy cos I dont know that much about it, but recommending the person because I have great faith in him. (he is our chinese doctor, and the national health have used him for various clinics)
But other than that, all i can suggest is internet research. I was once looking for a hypnotherapist when i was wondering about getting help with my needle thing. and i did pick a couple of people I thought of trying just by what they did and did not say on their web sites. If i had gone i would have chosen a few where you could pay a reasonable amount for a short introductory meeting. No point paying for a long assesment or course if you decided that you did not click with them or that you felt they did not realy understand what you were about.
I’ve toyed with the idea of a life coach for ages - I had a ‘difficult’ mother who damaged my self-esteem immeasurably followed by an ex who took what was left away. Thankfully, my OH is the opposite and I’m much stronger now.
I’ve started seeing a hypnotherapist through Macmillan - which means that it’s at no cost to try out as long as you haven’t bust your allowance of therapies.
You tell them ‘targets’ that you want to work towards and mine are the sort of things that a life coach could possibly help with. One sesh down and already I feel more positive and assertive. Maybe that could be a starting point?
Hi Izzi
I know exactly what you’re saying. I used to be a confident(ish) person who knew what she wanted and where she was going, but I seem to have lost that. I’ve been seeing a cancer counsellor through treatment who’s been great. Her approach is CBT and she’s been very good at helping me get all the tangled thoughts and emotions in my head out there so I can try to make sense of them. But now I need something else - I’m unable to focus or even to decide what I should be focusing on. I don’t know if I want to go back to where I was pre-dx and need help making decisions. So I was thinking just recently that a life coach might be the person to go to.
All the best in your search for the right person to help you, and let us know how you get on.
Norberte - good advice, thanks.
I’ve not had life coaching since my cancer diagnosis but I think it’s a great idea.
I did have life coaching a few years ago when the organisation I was working for decided to cut their workforce by 70%. We were offered it free of charge and although I only had 2 sessions, it really changed my life.
I also recommended to my friend who was being bullied at work and she completely turned her life around.
I think counselling is good and I had that shortly after being diagnosed and it helped with the emotional side of things. Life coaching though is much more about working out what you want in life quite specifically, defining goals etc. I found it inspiring and motivating. Elinda x
Thank you all for your feedback! I have been “Googling” and calling and found 2 life coaches who are specialised in coaching people after cancer so they exist! They both have had cancer and are experienced and qualified coaches (thank you Norberte).
I like the idea of setting goals etc, as this will help me focus and build a future again.
Penny Brown looks interesting but is too far away for me, but thank you for sharing!
Just to give you a brief update about my experience; I’ve done 3 coaching sessions now and am overwhelmed by its impact already! This is wonderful to do, very practical, helps me to focus, prioritise, manage my anxiety and boost my self esteem and it’s fun to do as well. It’s lovely to have this time for myself and feel supported by my coach, just what I needed.
I’ve done counselling earlier but have to say that this is much more looking forward and practical, (re)building my future again! Love it! If this sounds like something that could help you, look at lylac.net I can recommend it.
So pleased you gave it a go and it’s so positive for you and thanks for letting us know.
As you know I’m a big fan of it and not including you and I, I know personally of 6 other people who have found it helpful, motivating, uplifting etc. Elinda x
What a fantastic idea, I hadn’t thought of that Thanks for sharing!
I’ve been wondering what to do with myself once all treatment is finished. I feel in limbo and just existing at the moment.
I may even want a career change, I’m not sure I have the energy or interest in doing what I did before, though it paid incredibly well and we really need the money to clear our huge debts etc. It was a very stressful job and environment - IT Sales and it’s even harder in a recession.
I’ll ask my BCN about whether I can get a lifecoach free
I retrained as an holistic therapist after my diagnosis.I didn’t want to return to the stressful environment that could have been detrimental to my health. I have learnt so many therapies and have designed my own programme of positive mental attitude to promote well-being. I am passionate to pass on my knowledge, give hope and empower women. I live in Nottingham/ Derby border and I would love to hear from anyone that wants to know more.If you want to meet I am more than happy to spend time with you over coffee. Send me a private message. xx
Have been seeing a fabulous life coach in Hampshire. Even though I live in London - worth travelling for. Two years on from BC diagnosis but needing to move on. Loving it so far! Totally recommend. X
Thanks for sharing!