Positive Psychology and Strengths Coaching “Build What’s Strong”

 

Listen to the Mustn’ts

“Listen to the MUSTN’TS, child,

Listen to the DON’TS

Listen to the SHOULDN’TS
The IMPOSSIBLES, the WON’TS

Listen to the NEVER HAVES
Then listen close to me –
Anything can happen, child,
ANYTHING can be.

…Shel Silverstein

Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman, from the University of Pennsylvania, describes the core philosophy
of Positive Psychology as a “build what’s strong” approach to augment the “fix what’s wrong”
approach of traditional psychotherapy. This is reflective of the biopsychosocial (whole person)
approach that is a cornerstone of social work theory and practice.

Positive Psychology techniques do not replace those of traditional psychotherapy, but they can
widen the diagnostic focus and compliment the traditional psychotherapy process; i.e. identifying
personal strengths and positive emotions in addition to mediating and alleviating negative
aspects of psychological and social functioning.

Positive Psychology also adds a multidimensional quality to the psychotherapy process by
including a focus on things like…

  • mastery of the environment

  • personal growth

  • defining one’s purpose in life

  • autonomy

  • self-acceptance

  • positive relationships

  • spiritual growth

Thriving…Beyond Surviving

 

Drs. Martin Seligman and Christopher Peterson have written Character Strengths and Virtues:  A Handbook and Classification (CSV), for therapists to use as a counterpoint to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV).  The CSV identifies 24 character strengths, organized according to six overarching virtues, to help therapists formally identify the strengths that help us thrive.  Michele uses the CSV in conjunction with the DSM-IV to develop a whole person view of a client.

“The power of happiness does not depend on the size or content of a goal, but on the strength of
the desire to have it.”
…Simon Soloveychik

You may want to look at www.authentichappiness.org. This site is an online service of the University
Of Pennsylvania Positive Psychology Center. It offers free resources and includes a Signature Strengths
Questionnaire. It’s exciting to know that whole person therapy is moving to new levels of sophistication
through the study and practice of Positive Psychology.

If you would like more information about Positive Psychology and how Michele incorporates its principles into her therapeutic approach, please call her at 203-852-9874 or e-mail at therapydoeswork@yahoo.com.