IPPA’s Positive Clinical Psychology Division held a Q&A webinar to help clinicians incorporate positive psychology into their clinical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ask a Positive Psychologist:
Sustaining Well-being Amid Challenges
June 3, 2020
The questions asked and some of the topics/resources discussed included:
1) The panel shared some thoughts related to a particular topic.
- Jennifer discussed self-compassion
- Willow spoke about gratitude
- Tayyab shared his thoughts about strengths
- Margarita shared her insights related to positive relationships
2) What positive psychological techniques/approaches/interventions do you use with clients when they are feeling stuck or having trouble overcoming difficulties they’re experiencing?
3) How can we use positive psychology to address loss and grief with our clients?
- Meaning
- Feeling all of our feelings and building our positive emotion “muscles”
- The book Resilient Grieving and TEDx talk by Lucy Hone
4) How can we – the mental health workers – take care of our own mental health in these times?
- Mindfulness
- Self-compassion
- Vicarious resilience
5) How can positive psychology help address both the struggles clients experience and enhance their well-being?
- Self-regulation
- Yin & Yang of human experience
- Common factors
6) For folks who are less familiar with positive psychology, what resource would you recommend to help them learn more and what do you find helpful about this resource?
- VIA strengths
- The book Positive Psychology in a Nutshell by Ilona Boniwell
- The book Laughing Guide to Well-being by Isaac Prilleltensky
- Kristin Neff’s website on self-compassion
- The book The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want by Sonja Lyubomirsky
- The podcast The Happiness Lab by Laurie Santos
7) What resource would you recommend for clinicians specifically to help them better incorporate positive psychology into their practice, and what about this resource do you find helpful?
- The books Positive Psychotherapy: Clinical Manual and Workbook by Tayyab Rashid & Martin Seligman
- The book Character Strengths Interventions by Ryan Niemiec
- IPPA’s Positive Clinical Psychology Division’s Virtual Peer Consultation Group
- The book Therapist’s Guide to Positive Psychological Interventions by Jeana Magyar
8) What positive psychology resource or homework do you find helpful to share with clients and why?
- Three good things
- Reflecting and writing in session
- Birthday or thank you cards to yourself
- Taking pictures of things that are meaningful
- The gratitude visit
- Random acts of kindness
9) What is one of your favorite positive psychological interventions or techniques to use in session?
- In-depth interviews related to clients’ character strengths
- Know the client’s story
- Personal mission statements
- Thanking clients
- Best Possible Selves intervention; here’s an article on the research
We hope you found the webinar and these resources helpful!
As mentioned during the webinar, the Positive Clinical Psychology Division offers a monthly Virtual Peer Consultation Group, which will be on a break for the months of July and August, but will reconvene in September. We’re also in the process of organizing more webinars catered to clinicians. We welcome your input regarding programming you would find helpful related to diversity, inclusivity, and social justice. Please share your ideas by emailing clinicaldiv@ippanetwork.org.
The International Positive Psychology Association and the Positive Clinical Psychology Division also offer a number of other member benefits, including:
- An online webinar series, featuring the top leaders in positive psychology, such as Angela Duckworth, Barbara Fredrickson, Sonja Lyubomirsky, Martin Seligman, Lea Waters, and many more!
- A virtual library of positive psychology resources
- A organization-wide and division-specific community board, often used to post questions and share resources
- And more!
We hope you consider joining IPPA and our Division and participating in future events!
Sincerely,
Rhea
Rhea L. Owens, Ph.D., L.P.
President | Positive Clinical Psychology Division
International Positive Psychology Association
Disclaimer:
Information contained in any of the International Positive Psychology Association (“IPPA”) programs, products, and services (collectively, the “offerings”) – including any information contained in the webinar – is for educational purposes only and is not intended to assess, diagnose, manage or treat any medical and/or mental health disease, disorder or condition. The use of IPPA offerings does not imply and does not establish any form of doctor/physician/therapist/counselor and client relationship. Furthermore, nothing contained in any of IPPA’s offerings should be considered as therapy or intervention for a medical and/or mental health condition and is not a substitute or alternative option for a medical and/or mental health evaluation. From time to time, IPPA makes available educational and/or training offerings which provide its members, customers and/or the public (collectively, the “attendees”) with an opportunity to learn and share positive psychology-based ideas to improve wellbeing, develop resilience or identify ways to personally (or professionally) flourish and thrive. IPPA further makes no guarantees or warranties, expressed or implied, of any kind, in relation to the content and information contained within any of its resources. Use of terms “analysis,” “prescribe,” or “prescription,” or the term “recommendation” are solely for the purpose(s) of emphasizing or detailing a particular coping mechanism, strategy or technique, but is in no way intended to mean that anything contained in IPPA’s offerings are being prescribed for attendees. IPPA further makes no guarantees, warranties, or promises, of any kind, expressed or implied, related to the efficacy or applicability of any of the methods, therapies, strategies, or mechanisms identified or provided for consideration in any of the offerings.