Group Coaching for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

The physical, emotional, and mental changes associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) can disrupt patients' lives on many levels and interfere with their pursuit of life goals. Health-care practitioners usually work with people with MS in traditional medical settings—for example, upon initial diagnosis of MS or after an exacerbation of symptoms. Because of the nature of such settings and the current state of health care, it is challenging to provide the ongoing support and guidance that patients need to work toward life goals that were in place before the onset of their illness. Coaching is a talk-based process that uses tools and techniques designed to help individuals make progress toward their life goals. Coaching in a group format is an emerging method for guiding people with similar situations or needs toward their goals. The pilot group coaching project described here provides initial evidence that group coaching may be a valuable service-delivery model for expanding possibilities for individuals with MS living in the community.