Positive Psychotherapy: Workbook

Description:

For over a century the focus of psychotherapy has been on what ails us, with the therapeutic process resting upon the assumption that unearthing past traumas, correcting faulty thinking, and restoring dysfunctional relationships is curative. But something important has been overlooked: the positives. Shouldn't making us happier, better people be explicit goals of therapy?Positive Psychotherapy: Workbook guides readers through a session-by-session therapeutic approach based on the principles of positive psychology, an exciting new area of study examining the factors that enable us to flourish. This workbook, designed to be used in conjunction with the accompanying clinician's manual, first explains what exactly positive psychotherapy is, exploring the important concepts of character strengths. What follows are 15 positive psychotherapy sessions, each complete with lessons, guidelines, skills, and worksheets for practicing positive psychology skills learned in session. Those interested in improving well-being through psychotherapy will find in Positive Psychotherapy a refreshing complement to other approaches, endowing readers with a sense of purpose and meaning that many have found lacking in more traditional therapies.

Table of Contents:

Introduction to This Workbook

1 Session One: Positive Introduction and Gratitude Journal

2 Session Two: Character Strengths and Signature Strengths

3 Session Three: Practical Wisdom

4 Session Four: A Better Version of Me

5 Session Five: Open and Closed Memories

6 Session Six: Forgiveness

7 Session Seven: Maximizing versus Satisficing

8 Session Eight: Gratitude

9 Session Nine: Hope and Optimism

10 Session Ten: Posttraumatic Growth

11 Session Eleven: Slowness and Savoring

12 Session Twelve: Positive Relationships

13 Session Thirteen: Positive Communication

14 Session Fourteen: Altruism

15 Session Fifteen: Meaning and Purpose

Conclusion: The Full Life

Appendix A: Relaxation & Mindfulness Practices

Appendix B: Gratitude Journal

Appendix C: Positive Psychotherapy Inventory

Appendix D: Building Your Strengths

Notes

References

Index