Positive Psychology

The five P’s of the Type P Personality are:  Personal goal-driven; Positive; Proactive; Persistent; and Playful.  When I explain my theory to patients and colleagues, I don’t get much quibbling about the first four, but I’ve run into quite a few doubters about the importance of playfulness.  It’s an argument that I am happy to…

It happens at least once a week in my therapy practice.  Since my approach to psychotherapy involves focusing on strengths, I frequently will point out to patients, who may be struggling with various problems, that it is important to not lose sight of the positive things that they have or are accomplishing.  The fact that…

Even those of us who have a positive psychology orientation have to admit that sometimes life seems like a war made up of a series of battles.  Active people have lots of things going on at one time.  When you’ve achieved something that you’ve set out to do, it’s very satisfying and you feel like…

When I see patients in therapy, one of the questions that I use the most is, “How will that get you there?”  My orientation in therapy is future-focused.  We set goals and use therapy as a means of building skills to achieve them.  When patients are stuck or resistant or do things that are regressed…

As far as I’m concerned, the most annoying seven-word phrase in the English language is, “There’s nothing I can do about it.”  Sometimes it gets attached to three other words to become the annoying ten-word phrase, “I’m sorry but there’s nothing I can do about it.”  As a psychologist, I try not to get angry…

While January is the traditional time for making resolutions that may soon be broken, I’d like to offer an alternative.  The year that just ended, just like every year, was probably a “mixed bag” of good experiences and bad experiences.  Hopefully, most of what you remember from last year has been good although reality does…

Mixed in with all of the good things that can occur during the golden years – such as retirement (for those who choose it), grandchildren, and the opportunity to explore new interests and hobbies – is the probability of acquiring some illnesses, injuries, or conditions that will result in spending some time being a patient.…

As you approach or enter retirement years, it seems justifiable to want to take it easy.  It’s reasonable to want to slow down and enjoy leisure time after working hard and meeting a lifetime of obligations.  From a physical and mental health standpoint, however, it is best to maintain an activity level that can contribute…

There is a story making the rounds about a retired couple on a fixed income who have budgeted their money well – taking care of their necessities and a few minor pleasures, and allowing themselves one splurge a month to an upscale restaurant.  This month they had their expensive dinner by driving to their nearby…