I am a cancer survivor and am interested in coaching. Do you think I could be a good coach?

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Survivorship, Cancer Coach, Coach, Survivor

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Survivorship X Cancer Coach X Coach X Survivor X

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Tambre (Complementary Care Expert (Verified) ) - 07 / 18 / 2011

I find that often those of us who go through major life challenges often choose to interact with the experience in a way that empowers us leading us to find our life purpose. Survivors and caregivers whose lives are touched by cancer or other major illnesses or loss tend to "get it". We've learned a lot of valuable tools and approaches to living out of necessity. I feel the shifts that occur around priorities, core values, etc. do tend to make this population good coaches.

But you do need to look beyond just the experience of cancer to other qualities as well. Most coaches find they have a strong desire to be of service to others. They have a level of emotional intelligence, a vision for a world where people are empowered to create a life that matches who they truly are so they can share their gifts. They are typically good listeners and compassionate. Most coaches know that in the past others typically have come to them for advice or to act as a sounding board.

Check out this page at www.ipeccoaching.com which covers a great list of how to determine if coaching is your callinghttp://ipeccoaching.com/become-a-certified-coach.htm

I am always happy to speak directly to those interested in exploring the path of becoming a coach.

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Immuno (Family member) - 07 / 20 / 2011

Also to answer from experience about our best good cancer coaches.

Our best cancer coaches have extensive medical knowledge about cancer and the human body. For example pharmacists who specialize in cancer care medicine and natural medicine. Or Retired top level surgeons with a lifetime of medical knowledge plus the awareness that allopathic treatments are only one part of cancer survival.

Also we have had alot of good help from our friends who are survivors. About different treatments they have experience with and all the lifestyle knowledge they have. This type of coach is drawing on their personal experience. And may not be able to give correct advice when it comes to situations that are outside of their experience or awareness. Which are many, since every cancer patient is living with a unique experience of cancer and complicated symptoms.

I don't want to be a downer.
Striving to become a cancer coach is a fantastic thing. Good on you.

And never stop learning.
The cancer treatment and survival landscape is a constantly and rapidly evolving field.
I think to become a great cancer coach you will need to decide to become a professional in this field. If you do decide that, good for you. You will probably help alot of people in the world.

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This is a great addition to the conversation - creating the distinction that there are some coaches specifically coaching around medical choices, etc. I agree that medical professionals who are specifically coaching cancer patients around medical choices must be trained in that arena. However, this is not the only aspect of coaching cancer patients and survivors benefit from coaching in. There are many coaches doing significant work addressing quality of life issues that do not involve the medical side of the cancer experience. In fact, there can tend to be such an emphasis and focus on treatment and the medical plan that having a coach focused on helping survivors put some attention on life issues generates a more balanced experience and address quality of life issues. There is room for a variety of coaching approaches in the arena of survivorship and, in fact, when it comes to long term survivors most clients I interact with want to do work around thoughts and fears that hold them back, completing around what has been lost, overcoming overwhelm, getting clarity around their core values, priorities and then making choices that align with how they now want to move forward given the experience they've been through. Caregivers or survivors who have been through the experience of cancer can have a deep understanding and desire to help others learn new tools.

Tambre
- 07/20/2011

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