Chronic Illness Coaching Services

Individual Coaching

Coaching/Support Groups (by phone)

Individual Coaching

Individual Chronic Illness coaching is a process that provides very effective support for: (a) determining what changes would improve quality of life, (b) developing a plan of action that incorporates those changes, and (c) following through, step by step, to permanent change and improvement.

» Goals of Chronic Illness Coaching

The Goals of Chronic Illness Coaching are for You to:

•	Accomplish much more than before and feel a greater sense of success.
•	Maintain ongoing progress toward a better quality of life.
•	Feel a greater sense of purpose in your life.
•	Know how to effectively deal with the medical system to get the best possible treatment and care.

» Coaching Process

Coaching sessions take place by phone. The frequency and the length of the sessions will depend on your situation. Most people do best by starting out with weekly sessions. Some like an additional short check-in session each week; others find that checking in by email is very helpful.

During our sessions, we’ll talk about your situation, your challenges, and the things that matter to you. We may brainstorm and explore how you can find better treatments; talk about and plan fun things to do; investigate how you can communicate better and more effectively with your family, your caregivers, and others; or look at ways for you to attain the dreams you’ve given up on or forgotten.

At the end of every session you will have a specific action plan, including steps to take, things to think about and consider, and resources to explore before our next session.

“In my introductory session, Thomas was very compassionate and gave me more understanding than I?ve gotten in a long time and he gave me ideas to help me with my situation. But more than that, he gave me some new ways to take care of myself that will help me for the rest of my life. Thank you, Thomas!”

Carla D
Chicago, Illinois

» Is Chronic Illness Coaching For You?

If you would like to get a firsthand experience of my coaching to see how helpful it can be for you, please contact me for a no-cost introductory session.

Group Coaching

Group Coaching or Individual Coaching?

Chronic Illness Group Coaching, which like individual coaching takes place by phone, provides benefits not available in individual coaching. If you are going through acute or very difficult challenges, you will probably benefit most from individual coaching. Otherwise you may get as much or even more value from group coaching.

Benefits of Telephone Coaching Groups

Telephone coaching groups are less expensive than individual coaching, and you can participate in them without leaving home. You can also participate when you're on the road. Another important benefit is the understanding and support you get from the other participants. You get a real sense that you’re not alone in having and coping with the challenges of your illness. Also, you will find that supporting others in meeting their challenges helps your own healing process.

The benefits of understanding and support described above have been consistent regardless of whether the participants have had the same or different illnesses. In fact, participants have appreciated the extra depth and breadth of knowledge available when an array of different illnesses was represented in their group.

Advantages of Telephone Coaching Groups over Face-to-Face Support Groups

Chronic Illness Telephone Coaching Groups give you many benefits that are not available from the more common face-to-face support groups that people often attend (and from which many drop out because they don’t find them very helpful). Because the coaching groups take place by phone, you will have a sense of privacy and safety that face-to-face groups can’t provide. This makes it possible to much more easily talk about and resolve potentially embarrassing problems such as sexual difficulties and bladder and bowel incontinence that occur with many chronic illnesses.

Another benefit of chronic illness telephone coaching groups that is rarely available in face-to-face support groups is that they provide a focus and an accountability structure that enables you to make major life-improving changes. While you will get empathy and compassion about your symptoms and situations from the other participants and from me, you will be encouraged to take the steps (which could be things like finding another doctor, making a difficult request for help from a family member or friend, or getting involved in something you have been holding back from doing) that will lead to you a much more fulfilling life.

Are You Ready to Change Your Life?

If you are ready to make major changes in your life, if you are ready to trade in a life that is about or in spite of your illness for one that is fulfilling and meaningful, I encourage you to sign up for my Chronic Illness Telephone Coaching Group course. The course consists of six meetings over an eight week period, with assignments designed to greatly increase your results given for those weeks when there is no meeting. The groups are limited to a maximum of six people, so that there is enough time for everyone's challenges and concerns to be addressed.