The Benefits of Friendship in Adulthood

As the president of Health Mate, Inc., and the head of SMS Coaching, Sandra Schiff provides coaching services in areas ranging from parenting to career transition. Specializing on the needs of older adults, Sandra Schiff understands the interpersonal connections that enhance life enjoyment and aging with dignity.

According to recent research, approximately 25 percent of American adults claim to have no one with whom they can share their concerns and triumphs. Those without a close confidant among their immediate family members seem to have no confidants at all. Data shows that this lack of intimate friendship not only reduces one's quality of life but can also impact overall health and longevity.

A study at Flinders University of Australia followed close to 1,500 older adults and found that a strong network of friends led to a 22 percent increase in longevity. Close relationships with family had no such effect. Strong social networks have also proven effective at improving cancer treatment outcomes, lowering blood pressure levels, and reducing the risk of both depression and dementia. Research has even shown that the presence of a friend can make a task appear less daunting, thus suggesting that the certainty of support in a friendship improves outlook and minimizes stress.

The PeopleMap System - Test, Facilitators, and Results

Dr. Sandra Schiff is the president of Health Mate, Inc., a Michigan-based organization that helps individuals through life coaching, training, and consulting services. In that role, Dr. Sandra Schiff capitalizes on her expertise in organizational effectiveness as a certified PeopleMap facilitator.

Licensed psychologist Michael Lillibridge, Ph.D, developed the PeopleMap System, which consists of a personality questionnaire and corresponding programs that focus on effective communication, leadership styles, and achieving optimal productivity and performance. The personality test only consists of seven questions, but it yields a 95 percent accuracy rate. Like Myers-Briggs and similar questionnaires, the PeopleMap test organizes individuals into four different personality types. Facilitators guide participants through the test and a standard training program called “Understanding Yourself and Others.” Additional developmental programs are available that build on the initial course.

A survey of 525 participants concluded that individuals experience significant positive progress in categories like conflict resolution, productivity, and communication after completing PeopleMap training.

Farber Soul Center Opening in 2016

As president of Health Mate, Inc., Dr. Sandra Schiff offers coaching, training, and consulting services on both personal and professional levels. In her personal life, Dr. Sandra Schiff gives back to the community by being a part of the Farber Soul Center Committee.

Established in 1994, Friendship Circle, the organization behind the Farber Soul Center, focuses on helping children with special needs become involved in a variety of developmental and artistic programs. The new center represents Friendship Circle’s efforts to extend these types of programs to adults with special needs. The location includes an art studio, gallery, and a state-of-the-art kosher cafe that offers participants an opportunity to learn culinary skills and relevant on-the-job training. The art studio fosters the creativity, confidence, and vocational skills of members through visual and digital art programs, and the gallery hosts the artwork to show off the skills and creativity of the participants.

The Farber Soul Center plans to officially open to the community in early 2016.                            

Continuing Education for Social Workers at Wayne State University

In addition to acting as president of Health Mate, Inc., Dr. Sandra Schiff serves as a part-time faculty member at Wayne State University School of Social Work. Dr. Sandra Schiff is one of the many distinguished faculty at Wayne State, a nationally respected university with a main campus in Detroit, Michigan, and six extension centers in the southeast part of the state.

Part of the mission of the Wayne State School of Social Work is to advance the social work profession. One way that the school does this is to offer continuing education programs for practicing social workers.

Continuing education through the Wayne State University School of Social Work is notable in a number of ways. Wayne State works closely with many social service agencies in the Greater Detroit area to make education opportunities available within actual workplaces. Instructors are highly experienced; in fact, some have been practicing social workers for over 30 years. Both workshops and longer, ongoing educational opportunities are offered, and topics reflect the latest trends, developments, and research within the social work profession.

These classes and workshops give practicing social workers a chance to interact with their peers, learn new skills, and get new perspectives on their profession. All continuing education through the School of Social Work at Wayne State is part of the larger commitment of the department to serving the Detroit metropolitan area.

Being Present for Your Grandchildren

Trained through the Institute for Life Coaching, Dr. Sandra Schiff advises and guides individuals and organizations in her coaching practice throughout southeast Michigan as well as nationally.

Dr. Sandra Schiff recently wrote an article on the subject of having grandchildren. She advocates being present for grandchildren at all times so that they feel heard and understood.

She notes that being present can be a difficult task in the face of the many digital distractions that exist in the form of smartphones and other ways to access the Internet. This interferes with one-to-one, face-to-face interactions.

She gives examples of the many ways to be available in the here-and-now with children. Playing outdoors, exploring nature, maintaining eye contact, and even engaging in a card game all are creative suggestions. She also suggests shutting off the phones.

Dr. Schiff concludes that parents and grandparents should take advantage of both older and newer means of communication and recreation. She believes that research will show advantages of both ways.

How a Life Transitions Coach Helps a Person Overcome Challenges

The president of Health Mate, Inc., Sandra Schiff, PhD, offers consulting and training services in Southeastern Michigan. In addition, Dr. Sandra Schiff possesses substantial experience in coaching individuals through life transitions.

From changing careers to getting a divorce, a person will face many challenges throughout his or her lifetime. However, such transitions can often be life altering and less devastating with proper coaching. A life transitions coach helps people carry out a more purposeful life by teaching methods for coping with and adapting to change. He or she analyzes a client’s passions, interests, strengths, and beliefs to develop solutions that move them closer toward achieving his or her goals.

In order for coaching to be effective, a person must commit to change and take deliberate steps toward improving his or her situation. This is part of the co-creative process of coaching which includes acknowledging personal patterns and obstacles that have potentially sabotaged growth over time. In addition, a client has to be willing to make decisions outside of his or her comfort zone, knowing that change can be positive. This not only aids in handling current life transitions but also prepares a person to tackle future scenarios with greater preparation.

The YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit’s I Rise Family Empowerment Program

For more than 15 years, Dr. Sandra Schiff has leveraged her experience as a consultant and life coach in her role as president of Health Mate, Inc. Dr. Sandra Schiff concurrently holds a part-time position as a life and career coach for the I Rise Family Empowerment Program (I Rise) with the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit.

Established in partnership with the United Way of Southeastern Michigan, the YMCA’s I Rise program supports employed parents by giving them the tools they need to accomplish their personal goals. Participating parents receive child care services while attending the YMCA’s numerous forums and life coaching sessions.

At the start of the program, personal and career coaches conduct an initial phone call with participants to identify their overall objectives. The coaches then follow up with bi-weekly phone calls to monitor each person’s progress. Complementing these sessions, the YMCA offers monthly forums that cover informational and inspirational topics such as resume building and career growth. I Rise also provides needs-based child care subsidies to help parents move closer to their goals