Why Refer Patients?

As you know only too well, one of the toughest phrases a patient can hear from a physician is "You have Cancer". As their medical guide through this process, you can give them information about the disease, treatment options, statistics and more. You can also offer them comfort and understanding. You want them to feel like the sun will come up tomorrow.

Part of that comfort and understanding is providing access to resources that can support the patient and the caregivers in dealing with diagnosis, treatment, survival and "thrival". Or for some it may be a different road. One of the toughest parts of this process for the patient and their caregivers is feeling like there is "no play book" for what to expect with all the thoughts that run through their head. Enter Lifetools™ for Cancer Patients and their Caregivers.

As a cancer survivor and a Master Certified Coach, I can support patients and their caregivers walk through the process of diagnosis/treatment/survival and thrival, or whatever path their journey takes, without having to feel so frightened or alone. Especially in the early phases. On a day to day basis I can be their success partner as they take this journey and support them in believing that they can go through the process.

 

How Does Lifetools™ Coaching Work?

Lifetools™ Coaching is a process that supports people in creating and maintaining a life that works for them during each of these phases; whether they are the patient or a caregiver. We all know that both need support. It is not an easy road. Cancer is a family disease.

Coaching is done over the phone in 30 minute calls with a  Master Certified coach who is a cancer survivor and has been through the process.The coach will take the time to:

• Listen
• Talk with the person and caregiver about what they are experiencing
• Teach them the Lifetools™ to cope with the wide range of experiences and thoughts
• Support them as a dedicated success partner through the whole journey

The person does not have to go anywhere; all they have to do is pick up the phone and either dial an 800 number within the U.S. or a local number if they are within Glynn County, Georgia.

 

Why A Coach vs. a Therapist or a Support Group?

As a highly trained Master Certified Coach I support emotionally healthy people focus on goals and deal with the day to day. Consider it a dedicated cheerleader who has been down the road and is available to them as a success partner. They learn valuable tools for getting through the good days and the bad days that they will use for the rest of their lives.

 There is a firm distinction between coaching and therapy :

• Therapy is about looking in the past and healing
• Coaching is about the present and future and taking action with emotionally healthy people. It is about learning and integrating tools in your life that will make your life work better

 Patients and their caregivers may want and or need the services of a therapist during this time as well. Coaching does not preclude working with a therapist at the same time. The coach, however, will not work on "emotional issues" or other therapy issues and is trained to refer appropriately.

The coach will use a "coach - approach" to help deal with the day to day of diagnosis, treatment, survival and on to "thrival" and or wherever their journey leads them. Through listening, sharing and providing  Lifetools™ to cope with the experiences, the coach teaches how to focus energy and build a toolkit to support the entire process.

Remember this is not just about getting through it— it is about survival and "thrival" whatever that looks like to each person and wherever that leads them. The coach knows...because she has walked the path.

Support Groups are great, as are chat rooms. They can all be a part of the toolkit if the person wants. Many people also want, or prefer, someone they can talk to one on one. The Coach is a dedicated, one on one resource for these patients and caregivers.

 

My Patient is in Kansas and the Coach is in Georgia- How Does that Work?

The telephone. Much of traditional life coaching and executive coaching is done by phone. It also makes it very easy on the patient or caregiver because all they have to do is pick up the phone. They don't have to get in the car and go anywhere. During this process, going out can be tough; either due to low counts and fatigue or just no way to get there. This gives each person the independence to get the support they need WHEN they need it.

So, whether you are in Glynn County, Georgia and can use a local number or you are in Wichita, Kansas where you can use an 800 number; the coach is just a speed dial button away.

 

My Patient is Not Able to Leave the House and Still Needs the Support; How Can this Work?

Again, the phone. That's the beauty of this. No matter where your patient or caregiver is, no matter how they feel, if they can use a phone they can meet with their coach. They don't have to risk infection by going out, they don't have to exhaust themselves. They just need to hit the local number if they are in Glynn County, Georgia or speed dial the 800 number if they are outside the local area.

Not only do they have access to their coach by scheduled call time, they also have access Mon-Fri for unlimited quick 5-10 minute telephone check-ins or email check ins. It can make all the difference in the world to those who are going through this experience.

 

Can My Patients Submit this to Insurance?

As Coaching is not a healthcare provided service, it is not reimbursable.

With first hand knowledge of the financial impact of the disease , Debbie Frame and The Coaching Group recognize how important it is to make this affordable. That’s why we offer this service at 50% off the normal coaching fee. Have your patient call us and talk to us today to arrange a free 30 minute coaching call.