positive psychotherapy: a treatment manual
1: Orientation Lack of Positive Resources Maintains Depression
The role of absence or lack of positive emotions, character strengths and meaning in maintaining
depression and empty life is discussed. The framework of PPT, therapist’s role and client’s
responsibilities are discussed.
Homework: Clients write a one-page (roughly 300-word) positive introduction, in which they tell
a concrete story illustrating their character strengths.
2: Engagement Identifying Signature Strengths
Clients identify their signature strengths from the positive introduction and discuss situations in
which these signature strengths have helped previously. Three pathways to happiness
(pleasure, engagement, and meaning) are discussed in light of PPTI results.
Homework: Clients complete VIA-IS questionnaire online, which identifies clients’ signature
strengths.
3: Engagement/pleasure Cultivation of Signature Strength and Positive Emotions
Deployment of signature strengths is discussed. Clients are coached to formulate specific,
concrete and achievable behaviors regarding cultivation of signature strengths.
Role of positive emotion in well-being is discussed.
Homework (ongoing): Clients start a Blessings Journal in which three good things (big or small)
that happened during the day are written.
4: Pleasure Good Versus Bad Memories
Role of good and bad memories is discussed in terms of maintenance of symptoms of
depression. Clients are encouraged to express feelings of anger and bitterness. Effects of
holding onto anger and bitterness on depression and well-being are discussed.
Homework: Clients write about three bad memories, anger associated with them, and their
impact in maintaining depression.
5: Pleasure/engagement Forgiveness
Forgiveness is introduced as a powerful tool that can transform anger and bitterness into feelings
of neutrality or even, for some, into positive emotions.
Homework: Clients write a forgiveness letter describing transgression, related emotions, and
pledge to forgive transgressor (if appropriate) but may not deliver the letter.
6: Pleasure/engagement Gratitude
Gratitude is discussed as enduring thankfulness, and the role of good and bad memories is
highlighted again with emphasis on gratitude.
Homework: Clients write and present a letter of gratitude to someone they have never properly
thanked.
7: Pleasure/engagement Mid-therapy Check
Both Forgiveness and Gratitude homework are followed up. This typically takes more than one
session. Importance of cultivation of positive emotions is discussed. Clients are encouraged to
bring and discuss the effects of the Blessing Journal. Goals regarding using signature strengths
are reviewed. The process and progress are discussed in detail. Clients’ feedback toward
therapeutic gains is elicited and discussed.
8: Meaning/engagement Satisficing Instead of Maximizing
Satisficing (good enough) instead of maximizing in the context of the hedonic treadmill is
discussed. Satisficing through engagement is encouraged instead of maximizing.
Homework: Clients write ways to increase satisficing and devise a personal satisficing plan.
9: Pleasure Optimism and Hope
Clients are guided to think of times when they lost out at something important, when a big plan
collapsed, and when they were rejected by someone. Then clients are asked to consider that
when one door closes, another one almost always opens.
Homework: Clients identify three doors that closed and three doors that then opened.
10: Engagement/meaning Love and Attachment
Active-constructive responding is discussed. Clients are invited to recognize signature strengths of a
significant other.
Homework 1 (on-going): Active-constructive feedback—clients are coached on how to respond
actively and constructively to positive events reported by others.
Homework 2: Clients arrange a date that celebrates their signature strengths and those of their
significant other.
11: Meaning Family Tree of Strengths
Significance of recognizing the signature strengths of family members is discussed.
Homework: Clients ask family members to take VIA-IS online and then draw a tree that includes
signature strengths of all members of their family including children. A family gathering is to
be arranged to discuss everyone’s signature strengths.
12: Pleasure Savoring
Savoring is introduced as awareness of pleasure and a deliberate attempt to make it last. The
hedonic treadmill is reiterated as a possible threat to savoring and how to safeguard against
it.
Homework: Clients plan pleasurable activities and carry them out as planned. Specific savoring
techniques are provided.
13: Meaning Gift of Time
Regardless of their financial circumstances, clients have the power to give one of the greatest
gifts of all, the gift of time. Ways of using signature strengths to offer the gift of time in serving
something much larger than the self are discussed.
Homework: Clients are to give the gift of time by doing something that requires a fair amount of
time and whose creation calls on signature strengths—such as mentoring a child or doing
community service.
14: Integration The Full Life
The concept of a full life that integrates pleasure, engagement, and meaning is discussed. Clients
complete PPTI and other depression measures before the final session. Progress is reviewed,
and gains and maintenance are discussed.
http://www.ppc.sas.upenn.edu/positivepsychotherapyarticle.pdf
No comments:
Post a Comment