Positive Psychology: Principles and Applications
$45.00
In this training, we will explore the basics of Positive Psychology, which focuses on how to best live an optimal life. You’ll learn key concepts and discover how to best introduce Positive Psychology to clients. We will also be sharing several practical Positive Psychology interventions that you can begin using with clients immediately. This is an experiential training, with writing exercises, so be sure to have a notebook on hand!
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Identify the differences between Positive Psychology and other therapeutic schools
- Articulate the key concepts upon which Positive Psychology is based
- Practice at least five Positive Psychology interventions
Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 3 hours of Clinical continuing education training.
Course Instructor: Dreya Blume, MSW, LCSW
Recording Date: 8/11/2023
Recorded Live Webinar with downloadable presentation slides and/or handouts, evaluation, and a required quiz. The learner is required to pass with a 70% or higher to achieve the CE certificate of completion. The learner is able to reset the test until a satisfactory score is achieved. CE Training Workshops, LLC, provider #1770, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 8/2/2022 – 8/2/2025. CE Training Workshops, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CE Training Workshops, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. System Requirements: Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Safari, Edge on any modern operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS). A desktop browser is recommended. We do not provide support resources for issues encountered using a mobile device. For more information about our policies and board approval statements, please visit our FAQS page.
Dreya Blume, MA, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker, with her MSW from Radford University and an MA in anthropology from the University of Hawaii. Dreya has twenty years of experience working in mental health, from case management to intensive in-home services to leading groups for addicts in recovery.
Positive Psychology: Principles and Applications (3 HR) Syllabus
I. Foundations of Positive Psychology
- Shift from pathology to strengths-based focus
- Emphasizes flourishing and life satisfaction over dysfunction
- Key figures: William James, Maslow, Seligman, Csikszentmihalyi
- Critique of the traditional disease model in psychology
II. Core Concepts and Goals
- Focus on positive emotions, traits, and experiences
- Importance of optimism, resilience, gratitude, and compassion
- Central aims: increase wellbeing, meaning, and connection
- Tools to help clients identify strengths and build positive habits
III. The PERMA Model
- Positive Emotions: cultivating joy and gratitude
- Engagement: being absorbed in meaningful activities
- Relationships: fostering healthy and supportive connections
- Meaning: aligning with purpose and values
- Accomplishment: setting and achieving goals
IV. States of Flow and Savoring
- Flow: deep immersion in challenging, rewarding activity
- Conditions for flow: clear goals, balance between skill and challenge, intrinsic reward
- Savoring: intentional focus on positive sensory experiences
- Application through mindfulness and sense-based activities
V. Gratitude and Kindness Interventions
- Gratitude practices: journals, letters, verbal appreciation
- Impact on mood, resilience, and relationships
- Acts of kindness: prosocial behavior and self-compassion
- Using everyday moments to reinforce positivity
VI. Learned Optimism and the ABCDE Model
- Seligman’s model: Adversity, Belief, Consequence, Disputation, Energization
- Shifting explanatory style from pessimistic to optimistic
- Identifying and challenging negative beliefs
- Enhancing personal agency and future-oriented thinking
VII. Character Strengths and Virtues
- Six domains: wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, transcendence
- Examples: creativity, perseverance, kindness, leadership, hope
- VIA assessment for identifying “signature strengths”
- Using strengths in clinical and personal development
VIII. Meaning and Purpose
- Journal prompts for self-reflection and exploration
- Exploring ideal life scenarios, values, and passions
- “Looking back” exercises for life review and legacy work
- Aligning actions with core values to foster fulfillment
IX. Practical Interventions and Exercises
- Three Good Things journaling activity
- Gratitude visits and letters
- Identifying values and how to honor them
- Visualization and storytelling for positive identity reconstruction
