Most therapy focuses on what hurts. That makes sense. People come to therapy because they are in pain, and addressing that pain is necessary. But there is another side to the work, one that focuses on what gives your life meaning, what you do well and what conditions help you function at your best. Positive psychology provides that framework.
At Artisan Counseling, our licensed counselors integrate positive psychology principles into individual counseling to help clients build on what is working, not just manage what is not.
Positive psychology is a branch of psychology developed in the late 1990s by Martin Seligman and colleagues. It studies the conditions and practices that contribute to human flourishing, including well-being, purpose, engagement, positive relationships and accomplishment.
This is not about toxic positivity or ignoring suffering. It is about recognizing that reducing symptoms is only part of what it means to live well. Positive psychology adds a second question to the therapeutic process: beyond relieving your distress, what would it look like for you to thrive?
In a clinical setting, positive psychology does not replace treatment for mental health concerns. It supplements it. Your counselor may use positive psychology interventions alongside CBT, narrative therapy or other modalities to support a more complete picture of your functioning and goals.
Positive psychology interventions are evidence-based practices that have been shown to improve well-being, reduce depressive symptoms and increase life satisfaction. Some of the methods your counselor may use include:
Strengths identification. You may complete a strengths assessment or work with your counselor to identify your top character strengths. Research shows that using your strengths intentionally is associated with greater well-being and engagement.
Gratitude practices. Structured gratitude exercises have been shown to improve mood, sleep and relationship satisfaction. Your counselor may introduce these as between-session practices.
Savoring. This involves deliberately paying attention to positive experiences as they happen, increasing their emotional impact and duration.
Meaning and purpose. Your counselor may help you explore what gives your life meaning and how to align your daily choices with those values.
Accomplishment review. Rather than focusing only on what went wrong during the week, your counselor may ask what went well and what you did to contribute to that outcome.
Positive psychology interventions have been studied across a range of populations and concerns. They may be helpful if you are:
No. It is about well-being in a broader sense, including meaning, engagement, relationships and accomplishment. It acknowledges that a good life includes difficulty.
No. It is used alongside other modalities to support a fuller picture of your mental health and goals.
Yes. Positive psychology interventions have been studied extensively. A meta-analysis published in The Journal of Positive Psychology found that positive psychology interventions significantly increased well-being and reduced depressive symptoms.
Positive psychology is applied within the context of licensed counseling and billed as a standard session. Most plans cover it. Contact 757.503.2819 to confirm.