Positive Psychology Science of Happiness
NEW! The Happiness Training Plan
Creative Direction & Communications
POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY is the science of happiness and well-being. Instead of drawing on a "disease model" as traditional psychology does, positive psychology focuses on factors that enable people to feel good and flourish using their natural strengths to bring out the best in themselves.
The focus of most traditional psychology is to get an individual from -1 to 0 on a scale of well-being. However helping someone to overcome depression is not the same as helping them to develop happiness. There is little evidence to suggest that traditional forms of psychotherapy - which encourage the exploration of past pain - lead to well-being. Many people find themselves stuck in the trauma rather than transcending it. The objective of positive psychology is to help individuals beyond that point and towards happiness, to +1 on a scale of well-being. Positive psychology coaching helps identify what makes you happy, find out what your natural talents are and build on your strengths so that you operate at your best creating an "upwards spiral" of happiness and other positive emotions in your life.
HOW TO BE HAPPY?
I've been asking this question all my life and began investigating the subject in earnest when I produced the BBC Radio 4 programme "Don't Worry Be Happy" on the science of happiness. I realised later that this must have been one of the first programmes on "positive psychology". It marked the start of over a decade's exploration of techniques - both scientific and spiritual - to increase personal happiness and well-being. My life purpose is to help people to happiness by communicating this knowledge.
POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY COACHING
I use these techniques in coaching and also write about the subject. I am a founder member of the Centre for Positive Psychology and one of the first postgraduates of Europe's only degree in the science of happiness, the Masters in Applied Positive Psychology at the University of East London based on Professor Martin Seligman's programme at Penn State University in the US. I am taking part in Alpro Soya's 2008 Year of Well-Being as one of their positive psychology coaches.
POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY SELF-HELP CD
THE HAPPINESS TRAINING PLAN, Practical Strategies for a Happier Life from the New Science of Positive Psychology.
This self-help training programme was launched at the Bristol Happiness Lectures on May 17th, 2008, price £10. It is a co-production with the author of Find Your Power, Dr Chris Johnstone.