1st Edition
The Therapist's Notebook on Positive Psychology Activities, Exercises, and Handouts
Chapter 1: The P.O.S.I.T.I.V.E. Framework: From Research to Practice: Offers exercises that orient practitioners and clients to the world of Positive Psychology. Contains exercises for helping people identify their “signature strengths” as an alternative to the current DSM.
Chapter 2: Purpose and Meaning: Provides exercises and activities to help others find a sense of purpose greater than oneself, make meaning from trauma and tragedy, and draw on their resilience.
Chapter 3: Optimism and Orientation: Focuses on helping both practitioners and clients develop their sense of optimism.
Chapter 4: Social Connections and Networks: Helps people explore avenues of social connection that foster happiness and can prevent future relationship problems. Activities focus on the role of social support in quality of life, elements of enduring relationships, couples, and rituals of connection and continuity.
Chapter 5: Increase Gratitude and Appreciation: Introduces readers to how expressions of gratitude and appreciation can lead to greater levels of happiness and better relationships.
Chapter 6: Talk Positively: Numerous exercises are provided to help clients change their use of language with self and others. Activities explore how self-talk, compliments, praise, and a focus on what works can offer a pathway to improved quality of life and happiness.
Chapter 7: Income, Volunteerism, and Exercise: Readers are invited to explore the influence of money on happiness and common myths surrounding varying degrees on income. In addition, there are activities offered that encourage engagement through services, and the influence of exercise on the brain, depression and anxiety, attention, learning, and overall well-being.
Chapter 8: Summary of Empirically-Supported Exercises and Activities: Details all empirically-validated exercises and activities that are not the authors’ original ideas, as well as references for readers.
Appendix 1: Complete reference list on Positive Psychology
Appendix 2: Websites and other resources for further exploration
Biography
Bill O’Hanlon, MS, LMFT, is the author of 33 books, 59 articles and book chapters, and has had his writing translated into 16 languages. He is a licensed mental health professional, counselor, and marriage and family therapist.
Bob Bertolino, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Counseling at Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri and Senior Clinical Advisor at Youth In Need, Inc. He is a licensed marital and family therapist, professional counselor, and clinical social worker in the state of Missouri, a National Certified Counselor, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, National Board Certified Hypnotherapist, and a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
