Prioritizing positivity can be effective in setting yourself up to experience positive emotions. Being in flow can be considered a state of consciousness and an experience of being completely focused on an activity. The ability to find meaning and purpose allows you to live out your purpose and find alignment with your values and strengths.
How does Positive Psychology apply in Health Coaching?
Positive Psychology is the study of happiness, well-being, and what is right in a person’s life. It expands on the previous focus of psychology—problems, deficits, and traumas—and brings light to both sides of the spectrum.
The 6 Branches of Functional Medicine Health Coaching
As a health coaching student at the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy, you will learn the 6 Branches of our Health Coaching Certification Program: The Principles of Functional Medicine, The Principles of Functional Nutrition, Positive Psychology, Mind-Body Medicine, the Art & Science of Coaching, and the FMCA Career Navigator. We are the only program designed in collaboration with The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), which means you will graduate with the ability to “speak the language of Functional Medicine” with IFM practitioners.
Positive Psychology Fundamentals
When studying at FMCA, you will learn Positive Psychology from leading experts such as Margarita Tarragona, PhD, Barbara Fredrickson, PhD, Ryan Niemiec, PsyD, and Anita Howard, PhD. You will learn how to use tools such as the PERMA model, which is intertwined with the 24 VIA Character Strengths. Here are some of the aspects of Positive Psychology that we teach at FMCA:
1- Basics of Positive Psychology – Examine the process of personal growth and transformation through the use of psychology and coaching. Learn from research that shows the psychology of happiness compared to other disciplines in psychology.
2- Prioritize Positivity – Learn the effect of positive emotions in improving physical health and wellness, and how creating positivity can impact the coaching relationship. Explore how positive emotions and emotional states can impact well-being, gene expression, and physical health, with real-life examples and research.
3- VIA Character Strengths – Explore the “what” behind strengths and why they matter. Learn about the development of the 24 character strengths, the evidence-based VIA Survey, how the results are represented in the survey, and how to help your clients apply the results in their everyday lives.
4- Meaning and Purpose – How do you create meaning in life, from the perspective of Positive Psychology? How does it directly affect your actions? By learning how meaning creates identity, you will be able to cultivate this with clients. You will learn the four pillars of meaning, how meaning can be a process, and how, as a coach, you can work with your clients in the process of creating meaning. Discover the importance of purpose, and how it is developed and cultivated over time. Explore scientific research supporting that a sense of meaning and purpose creates higher overall wellness and decreased negative effects.
5- Positive Emotional Attractors – Learn the differences between positive emotional attractors (PEA) and negative emotional attractors (NEA), and discover the importance of connecting meaning to an individual goal.
With Positive Psychology techniques and other powerful tools, Functional Medicine Certified Health Coaches (FMCHC) are able to meet clients where they are, and help facilitate transformational change! Explore how you can start a transformation through Functional Medicine Health Coaching.
Published: December 1, 2021
