Here at Sommerfly, we have added a new product to our catalog: Team Positive by Todd Schmenk.
The Team Positive approach addresses how to cope with a health condition and how those involved can receive and provide compassionate support. Whether you or a loved one is dealing with cancer, Crohn’s, diabetes, or any overwhelming health or mental health condition such as anxiety or depression, this book has been designed for you.
The book focuses on both the person dealing with the chronic illness as well as those in a supportive role, from a partner to a relative, a friend to a clinician. It describes how best to engage, what you can expect, and what to say and do along with what not to say or do.
Inside you will discover:
The healing power of a team
Building a pyramid of support
Ways to manage your energy
How to deal with personal barriers
Coping skills that address distress
This work is a compilation of approaches and experiences that have evolved in Todd Schmenk’s time as a helping professional, first as a Health Educator, then as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Many of the tools and approaches have been used in clinical sessions, with families dealing with serious challenges (such as a child with autism) and even in Todd’s own family setting in dealing with a chronic illness.
About Todd Schmenk
Todd Schmenk is a licensed mental health counselor with over twenty years of experience in the mental and behavioral health field helping patients work through chronic health, anxiety, and adjustment issues. His private practice, AQAL Therapies, is located in Providence, Rhode Island.
Todd is adept in using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and advanced Integral Psychotherapy (IP) methodologies to facilitate client awareness and emotional flexibility driven by values-based, client-centered, and solution-focused strategies.
He has been honored with an innovative health promotion award from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; listed as one of the best three marriage counselors in Rhode Island two years in a row, and has completed the Certified Integral Therapist yearlong training program. He has a Master of Education, Community Health from Cleveland State University, a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University, and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Rhode Island.
He is an inaugural member of the Integral Institute, the American Mental Health Counselors Association, the Association of Contextual and Behavioral Science, the American Counseling Association, and sits on the board of the Rhode Island Mental Health Counselors Association.
Todd is also a captivating public speaker with more than fifteen years of expertise educating various populations (both public and professional) on mental health and wellness topics utilizing enthusiasm, storytelling, and technology in delivering memorable speeches and presentations.
Todd and his wife, Beth, have made a habit of consistently doing activities together with their love of dancing and teaching Lindy Hop, Balboa, and the Charleston, going on long hiking trips and traveling, kayaking, and now in working together on creating this book. They live in Rhode Island with their two cats.