Goal: "building client strengths and positive emotions, and increasing meaning in the lives of clients in order to alleviate psychopathology and foster happiness. Positive psychotherapists elicit and attend positive emotions and memories in their discussions with clients while also engaging in discourse related to client problems with the goal of integrating the positive and negative together" (p. 79).
Happiness consists of the pleasant life, the engaged life, and the meaningful life. "The pleasant life is achieved when people are able to experience positive emotions about their past, present, and future lives. The engaged life is felt when one is deeply involved and absorbed in what one is doing in multiple life roles, including love, work, and play. The meaningful life is defined as usuing one's strengths in the services of something larger than oneself" (p. 79).
Worksheets
Session #1
Client is introduced to positive psychotherapy. Client writes an introductory story about a time when they were at their best. Worksheet 4.2
Session #2
Client given list of character strengths. Story reviewed, character strengths manifested in story are discussed, Worksheet 4.3. Client told about three routes to happiness, asked to complete the Positive Psychotherapy Inventory, Worksheet 4.4. Clients asked to complete Values-in-Action Inventory of Character Strength. Authentic Happiness site.
My own character strengths, in order:
- Creativity, ingenuity, and originality -- Thinking of new ways to do things is a crucial part of who you are. You are never content with doing something the conventional way if a better way is possible.
- Love of learning -- You love learning new things, whether in a class or on your own. You have always loved school, reading, and museums-anywhere and everywhere there is an opportunity to learn.
- Zest, enthusiasm, and energy -- Regardless of what you do, you approach it with excitement and energy. You never do anything halfway or halfheartedly. For you, life is an adventure.
- Fairness, equity, and justice -- Treating all people fairly is one of your abiding principles. You do not let your personal feelings bias your decisions about other people. You give everyone a chance.
- Judgment, critical thinking, and open-mindedness -- Thinking things through and examining them from all sides are important aspects of who you are. You do not jump to conclusions, and you rely only on solid evidence to make your decisions. You are able to change your mind.
Client develops plan to "cultivate their top strengths and positive emotions." Worksheet 4.5 used to help client put strengths into action. The value of positive emotions explained, Worksheet 4.6. Homework for clients to begin Gratitude Journal, Worksheet 4.7.
Session #4
Client helped to understand "the role of memories, both good and bad, in the maintenance of depression symptoms." Clients told to write about three bad memories, then asked to examine how depression is maintained by these memories, Worksheet 4.8.
Session #5
Forgiveness "presented as a tool that can be utilized to undo anger, bitterness, and other negative emotions." Homework to write Forgiveness Letter, Worksheet 4.9.
Session #6
Session #7
Session #8
Session #9
Session #10
Session #11
Session #12
Session #13
Session #14
No comments:
Post a Comment