Business
Kara Welke, OTD, OTR/L, CLT creator of the Next Level Occupational Therapy platform interviews Steve Nawotniak, OTR/L, NYCPS who is a Self-Designed Masters from Buffalo State College, a Masters in Occupational Therapy from Utica College, and is a New York State Certified Peer Specialist. Starting in August, 2000 Steve set out on an 8-month, non-motorized Trek of service where he hiked, biked, sailed and canoed from Buffalo, NY to Key West, FL. He gave presentations to over 1000 youth on the values of volunteerism and education and completed over 230 hours of community service along the way. Two years later, in August 2002, Steve was hospitalized for a week with a major depressive episode and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. From that point forward, Steve has spent his life learning how to live with his condition on the journey from hospitalized patient to licensed healthcare professional. Steve has spoken internationally on occupational therapy and mental health. He has also published the books Handbook for Healthy Living with a Mood Disorder in 2014 and Bipolar Life Hacks: Keys to Loving Life with a Bipolar Condition in 2018 to share the skills and tools he uses daily to live, what he calls, a desired quality of life. Mom’s Choice Award winning children’s book series .. Mubu the Morph Series 2015-16 about character development and finding yourself within. Steve believes that successfully living with a condition is not merely managing and coping with its symptoms. It requires adaptability to change, mechanisms for managing challenges, and the development of skills for a fulfilling life. Utilizing an Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) framework, he works with clients in a variety of activities that include identifying and implementing healthy habits, rituals, and routines, establishing a support network, strengthening normative life roles, exploring sensory strategies, developing approaches for stress reduction, creating strategies for financial awareness and designing a recovery plan. In May of 2020, He started His company, Compass Recovery Coaching, LLC which focuses on providing hope and freedom around difficult emotions and feelings. Steve's Website: https://www.compassrecoverycoaching.com/ Youtube Channel: Compass Recovery Coaching If you are ready to start your own business, we are here to help you! Check out our Therapy Business Builder Programs: https://www.nextlevelot.com/products Be sure to join our Free Next Level Facebook Group, you can find the link to that group as well as our YouTube channel, free resources, and more here: https://www.nextlevelot.com/