Private Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy MBCT for Chronic Illness and Cancer Course

Would you like to learn a more kindly way of living with cancer or chronic illness?

If you are reading this, chances are that you are struggling with a condition that you would much rather not live with. 

I have an idea how you may feel (but I am not you) as I live with Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia CLL and Inflammatory Bowel Disease IBD. While not requiring treatment for CLL at the moment, I do have to manage symptoms and worry about test results and specialist appointments. Each of us has our own story, I share this only so you know I have first-hand experience in managing what this can throw at us.

Mindfulness practice has had a big impact on my life. I have found that it helps me practice acceptance, and as best I can, offer myself kindness towards each moment, even the unwanted. It’s not always easy, however, it is better than creating extra struggle with automatic negative thoughts (or ANTS, they can easily creep in under the radar!)  that can make things feel even worse or overwhelming. 

I am 1-1, meaning that what works for me, may not be right for you. However, I can guide you through Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy MBCT coaching or an 8-week course that gently guides you through practices that focus on how to make simple yet radical shifts in your relationship to thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations, even if there is little or nothing that you can do to change the experiences or conditions themselves. I have found that it offers a different way of being with life. 

The course or coaching includes the invitation to little by little gently turn towards what is present in this very moment within what is called our window of tolerance This allows us to see what our immediate experience really is, so that we can start to notice what is pleasant (so often overshadowed by challenge or difficulty) and respond more gently to what is not.

I will also help you develop skills so that if the present-moment experience feels overwhelming, you can redirect your attention to a neutral anchor to hold yourself steady. In this way, as best you can cultivating curiosity and kindness by asking “What is called for now?” “How can I be kind to myself?”

Kindness is a quality within mindfulness that has the manner of profound friendliness. Unlike some forms of love, it needs nothing back.
Trish Bartley. Mindfulness: A Kindly Approach to Being with Cancer p167

The 8-Week MBCT for cancer (and those living with chronic or life-threatening illness) I teach was developed by Trish Bartley, a cancer survivor herself. I trained with her a couple of years ago as both my Mum and Dad died of cancer, and as well as wishing to support others, at 22 years old, I had already had a first brush with it myself. Trish is the author of several books including the excellent Mindfulness: A Kindly Approach to Cancer, that you may find helpful.

The next step is to contact me to arrange a free no-obligation call to explore how I can help you develop a curious, kindly way of being by developing tools and skills to help stay centred and balanced, allowing you to manage things differently. 

Please note: Mindfulness is not for everyone, no matter what you read on social media. Please Read Here to discover if a mindfulness-based course is right for you at this time. The courses are not intended for the treatment of medical or psychological disorders. It is also not suitable for those newly diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illness and who are currently experiencing severe problems in these areas. Please please contact me to discuss your particular circumstances, so that together we can explore if it is the right time for you to take part.