Pauline Withers-Born

Course Leader (London) and member of Healing Journey Advisory Group

I qualified as a person-centred counsellor in 1998 and have worked in educational and other settings as well as in private practice.

Before then I was a teacher, trainer and lecturer.  I have always been fascinated by how people learn grow and change and how a supportive relationship can facilitate this.

My interest in cancer stemmed from my husband’s personal experience with cancer 14 years ago, when I supported him through diagnosis, chemotherapy, recurrence and radiotherapy. He has, fortunately, been well ever since.

I have been counselling clients at the Paul D’Auria Cancer Support Centre since 2005. I have, therefore, some awareness of some of the impacts and stresses and potentials around a cancer experience – and also how different individuals respond to different forms of support.

What marks out the Healing Journey as ground-breaking for me is that it provides a structured, cyclical programme combining learning new skills and developing self-understanding and self-care.

It has been so rewarding to watch individuals take what they needed from the programme and make it their own. It has also been moving to see people use the group support to develop themselves in mind, body and spirit. 

I would have no hesitation in recommending the Healing Journey to anyone with a cancer diagnosis, or their carers and relatives.