The Psychotherapist_issue39_master.qxp 03/09/2008 14:13 Page A UK Council for Psychotherapy Issue 39 Autumn 2008 Positive psychology and the psychotherapist the The Psychotherapist_issue39_master.qxp 03/09/2008 14:13 Page B the psychotherapist Diversity and Equalities Contents Page Statement Guest Editorial: Positive psychology 1 Positive psychology and strengths- The United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) promotes an active engagement based clinical work 2 with difference and therefore seeks to provide a framework for the professions of psychotherapy and psychotherapeutic counseling which allows competing and diverse Psychotherapy as strength-spotting 4 ideas and perspectives on what it means to be human to be considered, respected and valued. Through the lenses of time: in search of balance and well-being 6 UKCP is committed to addressing issues of prejudice and discrimination in relation to the mental well being, political belief, gender and gender identity, sexual preference or Growth following adversity: a new orientation, disability, marital or partnership status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, heritage paradigm for the study of post- identity, religious or spiritual identity, age or socio-economic class of individuals and traumatic stress and its treatment 8 groups. William James: psychological energy UKCP keeps its policies and procedures under review in order to ensure that the and human functioning 10 realities of discrimination, exclusion, oppression and alienation that may form part of the experience of its registrants as well as of their clients are addressed appropriately. Positive psychotherapy [PPT] 12 UKCP seeks to ensure that the practice of psychotherapy is utilised in the service of the Autogenic therapy and positive celebration of human difference and diversity, and that at no time is psychotherapy used psychology 14 as a means of coercion or oppression of any group or individual. Book review 16 Editorial Policy Chair’s report 22 The Psychotherapist is published for the benefit of UKCP registrants and aims to keep UK Shape Development update 19 them informed of developments likely to impact on their practice and provide an opportunity for registrants to share information and views on professional practice and The Political Action Group 20 topical issues. A wider picture 21 The material in The Psychotherapist is only provided for general information purposes and does not constitute professional advice of any nature. Whilst every effort is made to Letter from the Vice Chair ensure the content in The Psychotherapist is accurate and true, on occasion there may be (Registrants) 22 mistakes and readers are advised not to rely upon its content. Row row row your boat 23 The Editor and UKCP accept no responsibility or liability for any loss which may arise from reliance on the information contained in The Psychotherapist. From our European correspondent 26 From time to time The Psychotherapist may publish articles of a controversial nature. Letters to the Editor 27 The views expressed are those of the author and not of the Editor or UKCP. New UKCP registrants 29 Regional connections 30 Advertising Policy Invitation to a UKCP Conference 30 Advertisements are the responsibility of the advertiser and do not imply Events 31 endorsement by UKCP or the editor of The Psychotherapist.The editor reserves the right to reject or to cancel advertisements without notice. Work opportunities 34 Managing Editor: Jude Cohen-Phillips Continuing professional Guest Editor: Yasmin Headley development 35 Editorial Board: James Antrican, Jude Cohen-Phillips, Sally Forster, Katrina Phillips, Sally Scott, Tom Warnecke Published by UK Council for Psychotherapy, Cover photo: Professor Martin Seligman 2nd Floor, Edward House, 2 Wakley Street, London EC1V 7LT Positive Psychology Center Registered Charity No. 1058545 University of Pennsylania Company No. 3258939 Registered in England www.ukcp.org.uk The Psychotherapist_issue39_master.qxp 03/09/2008 14:13 Page 1 the psychotherapist feature: positive psychology Guest editorial: Positive psychology The Contributors References The first seven people listed are well Bandler, R & Grindler, (1983) Reframing: known in the field of positive psychology; Guest Editor: Yasmin Headley Neurolinguistic Programming and the Chris Peterson, Nansook Park,Alex Transformation of Meaning. Linley, Ilona Boniwell, Stephen Joseph, Positive Psychology is the scientific Cacioppo, J.T. Berntson,Adolphs, R (2002) James Pawelski and Tayyab Rashid. Areas study of the strengths and virtues Foundations in Social Neuroscience. MIT covered in the articles listed in this issue that enable individuals and Press. communities to thrive. This field is are positive psychotherapy, post- traumatic growth, strength-spotting, time, Klopfer,W.G.Humor and Psychotherapy. founded on the belief that people want philosophy and William James. (1984) Journal of Personality Assessment, to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to Volume 48, Issue 6 February 1984, pages cultivate what is best within themselves, I have also added the work of Jane Bird 660 – 661. and to enhance their experiences of love, because of her work in autogenic training Lyubomirsky, S (2008) The How of work, and play (see online reference). (AT). AT is a systematic and scientific Happiness. A practical Guide to Getting the method of relaxation which has been Life You Want. A Sphere Original. The Positive found to be an extremely effective way of Oring, E. (1984) Jokes of Sigmund Freud:A There are many positives in managing stress. Meditative techniques Study in Humour and Jewish Identity. psychotherapy. Contrary to the popular have been found to work well with University of Pennsylvania Press. press, it is not all about the pain, misery positive psychology (Shapiro et al, 2005). and the upsetting things in life. Many Shapiro et al (2005) Meditation and Positive Psychology. 646-662 in Snyder & psychotherapists do also help their clients I would like to express my sincere Lopez (2005) Handbook of Positive to grow and develop. Those who are appreciation to all the contributors, who Psychology. Oxford University Press. psychotherapists also know of the responded to my request for articles humour, the off-beat moments and the with enthusiasm and energy, and have Online Reference tender connections which often occur in produced articles that are engaging, http://www.ppc.sas.upenn.edu/ the therapeutic space. thoughtful and creative. accessed 15/05/08 The articles that follow present the Due to the constraints of space and time Write for The Psychotherapist positive in psychotherapy. This is not to some of the articles had to be edited, but Would you like to respond to say there are no negatives in it is hoped that the essence of the something you have seen in this psychotherapy – ever. Often we reframe material has been left intact for you to issue? Or to something in the areas (Bandler, 1983) for our clients to enjoy. You will also see that interesting outside world that is affecting you as work with and Freud himself was known books by four of the contributors are a psychotherapist? to have quite a sense of humour available for review for the next issue of (Oring,1984. Klopfer,1984). The Psychotherapist, if you would like to Do you, or your MO, have a read further on these subjects. particular group of clients that you The series of articles that follow clarify specialise in working with? Or are some of the material from an approach Yasmin Headley BA,Dip HG, MA, you involved in a particular project called ‘positive psychology’. Positive CUG,AdDip, MAPP you think innovative or unusual? psychology is not just ‘happiology’ or UKCP Registrant ‘Pollyanna’ fantasy. This approach focuses Have you attended a workshop or on the positive and the emphasis it places Yasmin Headley is an Integrative seminar that has influenced your on scientific research has given more Psychotherapist living and working in personal practice, that you would credence to the notion that the positive London. She has been coaching and like to share with or recommend to has a large part to play in our work with counselling people extensively by phone other psychotherapists? clients. The negativity bias (Cacioppo, and in person since the 1990s. 2002) that naturally occurs within us has Or would you like to guest edit an to be attended to and worked on Her particular interests are in taking issue of The Psychotherapist? constantly. To be happy and effectively the ‘positives’ more seriously happy requires constant attention and particularly with regards to cultural Write with your suggestion(s) to work (Lyubormirsky, 2008). change, aging, spirituality and money. the Editor, Jude Cohen-Phillips: (www.integrative.com) [email protected] The Psychotherapist 1 The Psychotherapist_issue39_master.qxp 03/09/2008 14:13 Page 2 the psychotherapist feature: positive psychology Positive psychology and strengths-based clinical work Christopher Peterson & Nansook Park Besides providing a vantage on what is considered a psychological disorder, positive psychology also speaks to other aspects of therapy. Even if therapeutic concern is with traditional diagnostic categories, the goals of therapy can be fleshed out with a positive psychology perspective, keeping in mind the vision of psychological health already discussed and more generally by taking DSM Axis V (global assessment of functioning) as seriously as diagnosis on Axis I and Axis II. Christopher Peterson Nansook Park “Low life satisfaction can When positive