Some information on chronic illness coach-therapy:

Q: Why work with me?

A: my unique approach to supporting people with long term health issues draws not only from my personal experience of living with fibromyalgia, vulval pain, neuropathic back pain and erosive lichen planus, but also relies upon a range of tools such as; coaching, mentoring, problem solving and befriending. You will feel that you are being truly understood and valued, your unique situation is being genuinly recognised – perhaps for the first time. And most importantly, it enables you to get ‘unstuck’ and move on.

Q: What can you expect from the experience?

A: Although you might feel as though you are at the bottom of a deep black hole right now, I truly believe in your ability to turn your life around and to make a lasting change for the future. Using positive psychology, I will enable you to build up confidence and self belief and address all the issues which are stopping you from moving forwards.  You will find more harmony and balance in your relationships and you will actively work at building a life worth living.

Q: What can you expect from working with me?

A: Working with me as your equal partner, you will feel reassured that you are a unique individual, who is totally understood and valued without being judged or criticised in any way.

Q: What are the sessions like?

A: Sessions are mainly carried out over the ‘phone which saves your time and valuable energy. It also has the added benefit of keeping costs down and allows flexibility in our session times. I offer telephone services throughout the UK, however for those living in Wiltshire, face to face sessions are also possible if preferred. Sessions follow a similar format each time that we speak: we briefly go over the previous session and celebrate some of the things which you have achieved as a result. We look at what you want to achieve both overall and at the end of the current session.  We explore where you are in relation to the issue and look at ways in which desired outcomes can be achieved.  We set specific actions to take in order to move forward each time and sometimes I might ask you to do some exercises between sessions if that is appropriate.  Most importantly, I talk to you in easy to understand language – no jargon or buzz words used!

Q: How many sessions will you need?

A: There is no set pattern, I’ve found that it takes a minimum of three sessions for you to get comfortable with the process and another three to make progress.