The evidence for a life-coaching approach to aphasia

Background: A life-coaching and positive psychology approach to aphasia has recently been advocated by Audrey Holland, to whom this issue is dedicated. Aims: This paper reviews our recent research which informs the three basic assumptions behind a life-coaching approach to aphasia: (1) learning to live successfully with aphasia takes time; (2) aphasia is a family problem; and (3) the goal is to help people with aphasia fit it into their lives. Methods Procedures: We assimilate results from three independent qualitative data sets: (1) a project that sought the perspective of 50 people with aphasia, their families, and their treating speech-language pathologist about their goals over time; (2) a project that seeks the views of 25 people with aphasia, their family, and speech-language pathologists about what it means to live successfully with aphasia; and (3) a qualitative structured interview on quality of life with 30 people with aphasia. Outcomes Results: The three basic assumptions of the life-coaching approach to aphasia are supported and extended by the data. Participants with aphasia in our studies report how their goals change over time to reflect how they are learning to live with aphasia, but the journey is different for each person. The stories from families elucidate how aphasia is indeed a family concern and requires family involvement. Finally, not only did participants in our studies fit aphasia into their lives, but they also fitted it into a new lifestyle after their stroke. Conclusions: The assumptions behind the life-coaching approach are well supported by the narratives of people living with aphasia. Even if the life-coaching approach is not adopted wholeheartedly by the profession, the principles of positive psychology and the life goal perspective appear highly relevant to living successfully with aphasia.