Heavensfield

Psychology as we know it today is improverished. While I am trained in Applied Psychology, I have moved from the disease model which is infused with pathologizing and labeling clients, to one which focuses on human potential. Seligman suggests that positive psychology is based on three underlying beliefs: 

• Psychology should be just as concerned with human strengths as it is with human weaknesses
• Psychology should be just as concerned with building strength as with repairing damage
• Psychology should be just as concerned with making the lives of normal people fulfilling, and nurturing high talent

As the field moves beyond a focus on disease, what can positive psychology help us to become? Positive psychology identifies and draws upon our highest strengths to build upon:

1. The Pleasant Life: Experiencing positive emotion and more pleasure in life
2. Creating a Life of Engagement
3. Discovering a Meaningful Life: Focusing on something larger than yourself

For more information on positive psychology the following video outlines the state of psychology and the need for moving in a different direction. Martin Seligman talks about psychology -- as a field of study and as it works one-on-one with each patient and each practitioner.

Ask me about designing a beautiful day . . .