Moving On: Experiences of Life Coaching for People with HIV

HIV Educators Conference 2010

Ian Walker, Manager Positive Services & Health

Promotion

• What is Life Coaching?

• What does Life Coaching address?

Life Coaching Pilot at ACON Phase 1

• Based on the experience of the VAC 12 month trial.

• WAAC model.

Initial Pilot

• Life Coaching was provided by 2 volunteer Life Coaches.

• 5 participants were recruited by HIV Men’s Health Promotion Team from past HL+ participants.

Evaluation

• Occurred throughout the Life Coaching process.

• Of the 2 participants who completed, neither completed the formal evaluation.

• But we had a great outcome for those who completed – 100% success, but only 2 people!

Do we continue?

Next Stage

• After an initial information night attended by 20 people, it was decided to continue the trial with the view to improved evaluation strategies/follow up.

• Contacted Nature Care College, to offer new graduates the opportunity to gain clinical experience under supervision of qualified volunteer Life Coach.

Phase 2

• 12 Life Coaches recruited and inducted as PLC volunteers.

• All potential candidates screened by Danny for ‘coachability’.

• Limited sessions.

• An additional 22 clients have completed the program.

Evaluation

• 10 Evaluations were returned after the program

• 90% approval rate for the program

Possible Goals

•Emotional well-being

•Health

•Career change

•Relationships with family

•Undertaking volunteer work

•Relationship with partner

•Returning to work

•Relationship with friends

•Self esteem

•Study

•Other

Changing goals

• 2 of the 10 changed their goals.– 1 changed the order of importance– 1 changed goals completely

• 1 career• 2 health• 3 financial security (other)

• 1 emotional well being• 2 creative writing (other)• 3 relationships with friends

Emerging Themes

• Self Esteem/Confidence

• Emotional well-being

• Career Plans – returning to the workforce, changing jobs, returning to study.

• Where to now? Living longer, New life goals

All have health related undertones

Life Coaching sessions fulfilled my needs/expectations.

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Rating Scale

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Clients

The Life Coaching was at the right level for me.

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Clients

I felt supported in achieving my goals.

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Clients

I had sufficient opportunity to explore my goals.

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Clients

The Life Coaching Program was the right length for me.

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Clients

I achieved my goals outlined during the Life Coaching Program.

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Clients

Goal 1 Goal 2 Goal 3

Has the program raised issues or ideas for you that you want to explore further? If so, what are they?

• “I was given great insight in how to deal with self reflection and meditation.”

• “Yes I want to do further work on my self esteem and hopefully one day find a partner.”

• “My intention was to explore what field of work I might be interested in, but I feel as though I might be able to do that on my own now and my current situation will not allow me the luxury of choice.”

Do you have any other comments you would like to add?

• “After the program had finished it would have been good to meet the other people who did life coaching to see how they went over the time frame they had and get some ideas from each other.”

• “I had a suicidal episode during the life coaching Daniel was extremely aware and non judgmental. I applaud him for the handling of this and for assisting me getting back on track to change my life for the better. Thank you.”

Cont…

• “Just that I am grateful for programs such as this that the PLC runs/sponsors and would hope that they are able to continue. They are of great benefit and much appreciated.”

Cont…

• “Initially I was interested in the life coaching in order to give myself direction and to find out what to do in terms of a job. However, the focus of the program was a much important and pressing issue, my upcoming visa application, Georgia helped me organize my documents and set deadlines, and for that I am very thankful. Georgia was flexible in terms of timing and whenever o or she had to postpone a session, she always offered to a phone session if I needed one.”

Tangible Outcomes

• 5 people returned to study

• 6 took up volunteering opportunities

• 3 people changed jobs

Conclusion

• This intervention that has the potential to assist clients to make significant changes in their life.

• It is not suitable for all people and should be targeted appropriately.

• It should be offered to our client populations where possible.

Thank You