Most psychotherapy schools look at removing pathology or what is wrong in the person.  Counselors look to extinguish the problem and help the person overcome it but this approach, while classical and still beneficial, approaches the problem from the perspective of deficit.   Positive Psychology looks to approach situations from a health perspective.  It looks to identity what is right and positive in an individual and how one can again feel healthy by maintaining a healthy system and focusing on healthy and positive views that prevent pathology itself.  It is an entirely different perspective of the classical analogy of the glass of water.  Is the glass half full or half empty?   Obviously, a positive mindset is a powerful thing and relaying on positive energy and resources can help a person find health.  Positive Psychology focuses less on pathology but more on positive characteristics and strengths of the individual (Tan, 2022). Without over relying on a toxic positivity and false positive spin, Positive Psychology looks to help individuals utilize positive aspects of self to find healing and stay healthy

Please also review AIHCP’s behavioral health certifications and see if they meet your professional and academic goals.

Positive Psychology

Positive Psychology as developed by Tayyab Rashid and Martin Seligman (Tan, 2022).    It looks to build upon what is already strong and help clients and patients flourish through positive emotions, relationships, work and meaning (Tan, 2022).  It recognizes human nature as generally positive and pushes individuals to undertake and engage in positive interactions to maintain health.  Instead of seeing pathology as a cause in itself, it sees pathology as a lack of positive character, strength and virtues (Tan, 2022).   In regards to depression, instead of focusing on the depressed mood or negative feelings, Positive Psychology assesses why the lack of joy,, hope or delight (Tan, 2022).  In regards to stress and anxiety, Positive Psychology looks at a sense of congruence though the concept of Salutogenesis. Aaron Atonovsky.  Salutogenesis dictates that to remain healthy, one maintains and focuses on healthy life styles.  Instead of permitting stress to break oneself down, one exhibits “coherence” as a way to face stress from a healthy perspective.  Atonovsky pointed out that one needs to have comprehension of the situation, a manageability of it, and a strong understanding of purpose.  In this way, the unhealthy reactions to stress can be limited by positive outlooks and emphasis on strengths of the person.

Techniques of Positive Psychology

The therapeutic relationship between counselor and client is essential in Positive Psychology.  Seligman and Rashid pointed out that this relationship helps clients discover their own inner strengths and allows the client to grow and heal oneself through their innate strengths and character rather than focusing on the weaknesses of the client (Tan, 2022).   They also identified five key possible mechanisms to promote change in the client.  First, a re-education of self regarding positive experiences.  Second, positive appraisals when recalling negative memories.  Third, identifying character strengths and virtues.  Fourth, using strengths in a balanced way, and finally, fifth, exploring meaning and purpose (Tan, 2022).

Within the therapy and its session, Seligman and Rashid illustrated important phases.  Phase one included the creation of a gratitude journal which documented the daily blessings every night.  In addition, a detailed discussion about character strengths and signature strengths to dwell upon followed by a self development plan entitled “Better Version of Me” to help develop one’s strengths to achieve certain goals.  Session two includes readdressing past negative memories with better outlooks about it.  It also includes forgiveness, as well as gratitude letters and lists. In phase three, the client focuses on hope and optimism, posttraumatic growth, positive relationships, positive communication, altruism and finding meaning and purpose (Tan, 2022).  Through these phases and the numerous exercises, the client learns self efficacy, positive strengths and better self image to grow in authentic happiness and well being (Tan, 2022).

Strengths and Weaknesses of Positive Psychology

The particular views of Positive Psychology can be beneficial for some clients.  In many cases, finding the positive outlook and perspective can be a powerful tool. It can also help one become more resilient, confident and self relying.  It can help build up self image and teach one how to maintain a healthy mental outlook on life.  However, for some, over use of positivity can be toxic because there does exist true pathology, especially in trauma, that needs examined.  It is sometimes important to see the glass half empty at times when healing is required (Tan, 2022).   Still, the positive twist and look to help individuals grow stronger is a good perspective and if utilized and interwoven can be a powerful tool for some individuals.   Positive Psychology obviously looks for numerous subjective elements of the person’s inner strength.  From a secular view, this can be applicable, but for a spiritual view, concepts of God and grace may need integrated for believers who find happiness in God, not self.  Also, concepts of suffering and negative experiences have value in some religious traditions, so such therapy needs to take into account religious and spiritual beliefs and tie them together with health positive outlooks that do not dismiss these concepts.

Conclusion

Positive Psychology presents a fresh perspective that can be compelling and useful in some cases.  It supports an excellent concept of internal efficacy and strength to face problems and the importance of maintaining healthy systems instead of focusing on broken down systems.  It is beneficial for some, but not everyone.  Sometimes, it can be integrated when needed in therapy with many of its concepts and tools in finding inner strength.  For some who are religious, concepts of happiness may need tied to religious beliefs on God and suffering.

Please also review AIHCP’s Behavioral Health Certifications, especially in Grief Counseling, Stress Management, Trauma Informed Care, and Spiritual Counseling Programs.

AIHCP Blogs

Stress Management and Salutogenesis- Access here

Behavioral Change- Access here

Other Resources

“Salutogenesis”.  Wikiepedia.  Access here

Joseph, J. & Sagy, F. (2022).  Positive Psychology and Its Relation to Salutogenesis. The Handbook of Salutogenesis [Internet]. 2nd edition.  Access here

Sabater. V. (2018). Martin Seligman and Positive Psychology.  Access here

Reference

Tan, S-Y. (2022). Counseling and psychology: A Christian perspective (2nd Edition). Baker Academic.