Part 2: Close-Up Talk Radio spotlights Monika Walankiewicz of Positive Approach

Chicago, IL – Monika Walankiewicz is a certified Positive Psychology life coach and the founder of Positive Approach, where she helps clients who are experiencing a difficult life transition figure out the next chapter in their lives.

“They’re trying to find a way to achieve some goal,” says Monika. “I provide them with the tools and strategies to help them get from where they are to where they want to be.”

After five years of training in Positive Psychology and a certificate in Art Therapy, Monika established Positive Approach to help others move through transitions with more ease and grace. Positive psychology is an emerging branch of psychology focused on understanding the adaptive, creative and emotionally fulfilling aspects of human behavior. True to its name, Positive Approach accentuates the positive by uncovering clients’ strengths and resources to navigate change one step at a time.

“Traditional psychology spends a lot of time analyzing what doesn’t work,” says Monika. “We focus on what works. We want to know what your strengths are, how you’ve tried to solve problems in the past and how we can move forward toward the future.”

Monika says when clients first come to her they often feel stuck, confused, overwhelmed. They’re at a crossroads. In collaboration with her clients, Monika develops tangible strategies to achieve goals that are congruent with their strengths and values.

“Everything is mindset,” says Monika. “Our mindset is our destiny in a way. How you think determines your behavior. Clearer insight can promote change, but you have to be motivated and open to change and growth. When you take that first step, the next step comes that much easier and you’re that much closer to knowing what you want to do."