Integrating Positive Psychotherapy in Established Clinical Practice — ASN Events
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  3. Integrating Positive Psychotherapy in Established Clinical Practice

Integrating Positive Psychotherapy in Established Clinical Practice (#58)

Elliot J Cohen 1
  1. Scarsdale Schools, Scarsdale, NY, United States

Background

Many clinicians worldwide continue to deliver psychotherapeutic interventions consistent with their disorder-focused training and illness orientation; however, a broader positive psychotherapy (PPT) vision and call to action is afoot to not only work toward amelioration of problems but also to foster the flourishing of mental health and well-being.1,2,3 As promising positive psychology interventions (PPIs)4,5 and related treatment paradigms 6 to advance the human condition are emerging, it is crucial to also develop methods that focus on the integration of these mental health enhancing approaches to aid traditional, disorder-oriented clinicians in their efforts to provide more holistic interventions desired by their clients. Albeit within an illness/disorder orientation, many clinicians work eclectically and are already accustomed to integrating psychotherapy approaches.7 Therefore, methods and tools that thread together the positive and negative orientations, in a manner that maintains fidelity to both paradigms, holds much promise for inclusion of positive psychotherapy interventions in established practices.

Aim

While some models and helpful suggestions for integrating the positive and negative aspects of clinical work are surfacing,8 further guidance in case conceptualization, application and assessment of client progress is necessary to assist clinicians in incorporating PPT into their established practices.This presentation illustrates how clinicians can artfully create an integrated dual conceptualization case framework and use it as a platform to launch efficacious interventions that simultaneously decrease mental health problems and increase positive aspects of mental health. 

Method

Via case examples, emphasis is given to guiding clinicians in the development and integration of cognitive behavioral and positive psychology (PERMA+; Character Strengths)9,10,11 conceptualizations, and application of corresponding evidenced based interventions,12,13,4,5,6 which work in synergy to benefit clients. Methods to measure (PANAS, BDII, PPTI)14,15,6 case improvement in both clinical symptoms and well-being factors are also reviewed.

Results/Contribution/Conclusion

A dual conceptualization/application model integrating PPT into established disorder-oriented practices, is a viable, effective and measurable method for providing client-desired clinical interventions that both decrease mental health problems and increase well-being.

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  2. Maddux, J.E. (2008). Positive psychology and the illness ideology: Toward a positive clinical psychology. Applied Psychology, 57, 54 -70. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-0597.2008.00354.x
  3. Peteet J. R. (2018). A fourth wave of psychotherapies: Moving beyond recovery toward well-being. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 26(2), 90–95. https://doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000155
  4. Sin, N. L., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2009). Enhancing well-being and alleviating depressive symptoms with positive psychology interventions: A practice-friendly meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 65(5), 467–487. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20593
  5. Chakhssi, F., Kraiss, J. T., Sommers-Spijkerman, M., & Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2018). The effect of positive psychology interventions on well-being and distress in clinical samples with psychiatric or somatic disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC psychiatry, 18(1), 211. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1739-2
  6. Rashid, T., & Seligman, M.E.P. (2018). Positive Psychotherapy: Clinician Manual. Oxford University Press.
  7. Norcross, J. C., & Goldfried, M. R. (Eds.). (2005). Handbook of psychotherapy integration. Oxford University Press.
  8. Raymond, Ivan. (2018). Intentional practice: A positive psychology intervention planning and implementation method. Clinical Division Newsletter of International Positive Psychology Association. https://www.ippanetwork.org/2018/08/15/intentional-practice-a-positive-psychology-intervention-planning-and-implementation-method/
  9. Seligman, M. E. P. (2012). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and wellbeing. Simon and Schuster.
  10. Iasiello, M., Bartholomaeus, J., Jarden, A., & Kelly, G. (2017). Measuring PERMA+ in South Australia, the state of wellbeing: A comparison with national and international norms. Journal of Positive Psychology & Wellbeing, 1(2), 53-72
  11. Peterson C., Seligman M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. Oxford University Press.
  12. Butler, A. C., Chapman, J. E., Forman, E. M., & Beck, A. T. (2006). The empirical status of cognitive-behavioral therapy: a review of meta-analyses. Clinical Psychology Review, 26(1), 17–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2005.07.003
  13. Rashid, T. (2015). Positive psychotherapy: A strength-based approach. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 10, 25-40. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2014.920411
  14. Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegan, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54(6), 1063–1070. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.54.6.1063
  15. Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Brown, G. (1996). Beck Depression Inventory–II (BDI-II)[Database record]. APA PsycTests. https://doi.org/10.1037/t00742-000
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