Positive Psychology Coaching: Putting the Science of Happiness to Work for Your Clients by Robert Biswas-Diener, Ben Dean

Positive psychology moves psychology from a medical model toward a strengths model to help clients shore up their strengths and thereby lead happier, more fulfilling lives. Positive Psychology Coaching: Putting the Science of Happiness to Work for Your Clients provides concrete language and interventions for integrating positive psychology techniques into any mental health practice.

Robert Biswas-Diener, MS, holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Pacific University and in 2005, founded Meridian Life Coaching, LC, to provide life coaching services to a wide range of academics and professionals, He is known as the “Indiana Jones of Positive psychology,” with his studies taking him to such far-flung destinations as Greenland, Spain, Kenya, Israel, and India, where he has worked with remote groups of people traditionally overlooked by researchers.

Ben Dean, PhD, MCC, is one of the most influential figures in the world of coaching. In 1997 he founded MentorCoach LLC, the first coach training school exclusively focused on training mental health professionals, which has trained thousands of clinicians and other mental health professionals throughout North America, Europe, and Australia. He also publishes several widely read e-newsletters, including Coaching Toward Happiness, Therapist as Coach, and eCoach.

Table of contents

Introduction vii

Acknowledgments xiii

Chapter 1 The Coaching Paradox and the Positive Psychology Solution 1

Foundation I Happiness and Positivity

Chapter 2 Happiness: The Goal We Rarely Talk About 25

Chapter 3 Choosing Happiness: Goals, Relationships, and Positive Thinking 59

Chapter 4 Solid Happiness Interventions 89

Foundation II Character Strengths

Chapter 5 Strengths Coaching 117

Chapter 6 Coaching to Personal Strengths 143

Chapter 7 Coaching to Social Strengths 165

Special Topics in Positive Psychology Coaching

Chapter 8 Helping Clients Craft the Perfect Job 189

Chapter 9 The Future of Positive Psychology Coaching 209

Appendix: Planning Positive Psychology Coaching Sessions 221

Notes 231

Index 251

“This is definitely a book I would keep” (Human Resources, March 2008)”…it contains some interesting ideas which challenge standard psychoanalytic theory…” (Journal of Analytical Psychology, 2008)

“…designed to teach how to put [positive psychology]…into practice and empower others to set and meet their personal goals” (Human Givens, Vol. 15, #1)

“…it contains some interesting ideas which challenge standard psychoanalytic theory…” (Journal of Analytical Psychology, 2008)

“This is definitely a book I would keep.” (Human Resources, March 2008)

“Reading it was like getting that introduction from two very helpful, enthusiastic and knowledgeable friends.” (People Management, Thursday 12th July 2007)

“…designed to help you learn how to put positive psychology into practice…” (Personnel Today, September 2007)

“This book is packed with erudite and reputable references.” (Training & Coaching Today, October 2007)

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