Positive Psychology – Why Use It In Your Practice?

Positive psychology, defined by the Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania, is the scientific study of the strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive.

It is founded on the belief that people want to live meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play.  

Research has shown happier people enjoy better health, live longer, have closer friendships, are more creative and productive, and achieve greater success in general.

How does this apply to the coaching practice?

As a Functional Medicine Health Coach, your job is to support treatment by encouraging clients to explore potential contributing factors, and taking an active role to help them reach their physical and health-related goals.

Clients turn to coaches for many issues, however, underneath the issues is a desire to increase happiness and overall psychological well-being. But as a coach, how do you work past your client’s perceptions, attitudes, expectations, and measures of success versus failure?

It’s important to keep your eye on the prize. As a coach, your goal is to positively impact the client’s life – this goal is the priority, and all others feed indirectly into this goal. The number one goal of coaching is to improve the client’s life, and positive psychology coaching is no different.

Here are  8 Positive Psychology Strategies to incorporate in your practice to help your clients thrive:

Introducing other effective Functional Medicine and Positive Psychology strategies and objectives such as the PERMA Model developed by Martin Seligman.

“PERMA” is an acronym for the five facets of well-being according to Seligman:

P – Positive Emotions

E – Engagement

R – (Positive) Relationships

M – Meaning

A – Accomplishment / Achievement

In summary, clients who experience positivity on a regular basis are more likely to thrive and experience success. The potential benefits of utilizing Positive Psychology strategies in your practice to support clients to make lifestyle changes are essential for health maintenance and overall well-being.