Several years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Soon after, my daughter was hospitalized for several weeks. Together, our family rebuilt our lives from surviving to thriving. I decided to study well-being enhancement by getting a master’s degree in Positive Psychology.
This experience and education paved the way for my transition to professional coaching. As the Founder of Thriving Through Adversity Coaching I leverage my experience and track record of success to help others meet life challenges. I am passionate about helping people improve their well-being.
Recently, I published a book that is an inspirational and positive approach to serious health challenges. Thriving Through Adversity is the first journal to use the principles of Positive Psychology to focus on reducing suffering when facing health concerns. The book was inspired by my experience as a patient and caregiver, as well as research on post-traumatic growth. The book is available on Amazon.
Reviews
This journal is intended for those facing serious health issues (or those close to them … like caregivers). While I do not currently fall into either of these categories at the moment, I am happy to have this journal handy.
Many of the evidence-based strategies offered throughout the book can be used for everyday challenges. Peppered with cute illustrations and plenty of room for recording your thoughts, my favorite thing about the journal is that it offers ideas without being preachy or telling the reader “You MUST do this.” The readers can pick and choose what resonates with them and which suggestions they want to try to incorporate into their lives.
The author did a great job of putting together a useful journal that is easy to use, based on science, and very practical! It also makes a wonderful gift for someone who may be going through a tough health challenge.
— Sharon Danziger, Author of Super-Productive
Lara provided me with a review copy of her book, and I’m happy to recommend it to anyone facing a health challenge or acting as a caregiver for someone in that position. It’s a useful and affirming resource that recognizes how hard it can be to cope from day to day. I appreciate that it doesn’t hit you over the head with “positivity.”
It’s very fitting that, as a scientist, Lara has relied on research – as well as her own experience in living through a difficult health diagnosis — to create a journal that provides gentle guidance and suggestions for making the journey through diagnosis and treatment a little easier. The format allows the user to keep a running record of medical visits, which is such a helpful reference (though if you like to keep extensive notes, like I do, you may run out of room!). The reassurances and suggestions sprinkled throughout the book are easy to try, to keep trying if they work, or to try again a different way the next time. There is space for you to reflect on how you used a suggestion to remind yourself how it worked. These suggestions are not earth-shattering ideas, but they emphasize that even small efforts can turn a mood around, or can plant a seed that eventually grows into greater well-being. The illustrations are light-hearted without being overly cute.
I wish I’d had something like this when going through my own health challenge a few years ago, but will definitely keep it on hand for the next one. I think it also is a nice gift for people I care about who are dealing with their own health challenges.
— Karen D.
This book is a carefully considered, thoughtful and well-organized tool that can really help people going through a health care crisis – whether they are the patient themselves or a caregiver for a loved one who is the patient. Dr. Kallander has experience in both of those categories, as well as a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology, and this has given her the ability to see the process and the emotions that people in these unfortunate situations will go through. What’s unique about this journal, though, is its recognition that there are silver linings in every journey, and its ability to identify and use those silver linings to help in the care process. I’d recommend this book for anyone at any time. I wish I had had it when my Dad had his stroke, and having read it now I feel more prepared.
— John F. Holloway
Lara’s colorful and action-oriented journal helped me to restructure my 14 year journey with multiple myeloma. Lara guided me to find the hidden benefits of my diagnosis. She provided me with a foundation to keep moving forward and blank pages to examine not only each doctor’s visit but to reflect on the outcomes of each visit. Multiple activities are thrown in to focus on my strengths and resilience to keep me on my toes. Thank you, Lara.
— Mindy C.
Wow! As the daughter of a fantastic woman who has been battling cancer for 13 years, I deeply appreciate this book as a way for people with difficult diagnoses to process their feelings. It provides much needed psychologically-based frameworks that can act as anchors in the stormy seas of diagnosis and treatment. I will be purchasing this for multiple people in my life!
— Sydney
Certifications & Degrees
Associate Certified Coach (ICF) – 2020
Master’s Degree in Applied Positive Psychology (U Penn) – 2018
Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (Stanford U) – 1998
ACCEPTS VIRTUAL CLIENTS
thrivingthroughadversitycoaching.com
[email protected]
Thriving Through Adversity – available on Amazon
484 753-3300
Lexington, Massachusetts
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