5 Reasons You Need to Work with A Holistic Cancer Coach

When I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in 2015, I had never heard of a cancer coach. I had to muddle through all my thoughts and feelings on my own with only my husband as my sounding board.

I tried working with a social worker at the cancer clinic, but it didn’t feel like a good fit and I didn’t feel like I was getting positive support for self-belief and moving forward. I felt more like I was being prepared for the worst-case scenario.

In the years since my diagnosis, I have worked on rebuilding my own health in a holistic way, so when the opportunity came along for me to become a Certified Holistic Cancer Coach I knew this was what I wanted to do. I wanted to be the person who could help other women living with cancer to get the support that they deserve. It was a perfect fit.

Working with a holistic cancer coach can be highly beneficial for individuals diagnosed with cancer.

What you can expect from a Holistic Cancer Coach

Holistic Approach. A holistic cancer coach addresses not just the physical aspects of life with cancer but also emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. They may incorporate complementary therapies, nutrition advice, and lifestyle modifications into conversations to allow the client options to explore for themself.

Personalized Support. A holistic cancer coach provides tailored guidance and support as related to your diagnosis, treatment plan, and personal needs. They help you navigate the unique complexities of cancer care and your daily life because every cancer patient's situation is different and each person has their own needs. Unless a holistic cancer coach is a registered medical practitioner, they should not be providing medical advise.

Emotional Support. Dealing with cancer can be emotionally overwhelming. A holistic cancer coach offers a safe space to express your feelings and helps you develop coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and fear. Clients may feel able to share their personal concerns that they don't want to or can't share with their family, with their coach. The role of the coach is to listen without judgement and to help the client work towards solutions. A coach can also be there to celebrate the wins and successes of the client, which is an important part of emotional well-being.

Lifestyle and Wellness Guidance. They can provide advice on nutrition, exercise, and other lifestyle changes that may improve overall health and support recovery.

Goal Setting and Motivation: Holistic cancer coaches assist in setting realistic goals and provide motivation and encouragement to the client to achieve them. This is part of creating a mindset around maintaining a positive outlook.

By offering a comprehensive and personalized approach to care, cancer coaches play an important role in supporting individuals and by extension, their families, through the challenges of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. The body, mind and spirit approach to cancer care allows for a well rounded care plan that  supports personal growth and health building while coaching can build self-confidence and self-belief in the individual.

There is a lot to manage when you are living with cancer. Learning tools and strategies to support yourself is a key part of the healing process. When you support and believe in yourself you will feel empowered to take back some of the control you may feel you have lost in your life. 

Kathryn White is a Certified Holistic Cancer Coach who supports women to turn their cancer diagnosis into a thriving story one woman at a time.