Close Window

Positive Psychology and Coaching MasterClass – Fall 2006

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students will:

• Have a solid grounding in the history and development of positive psychology;
• Understand how a positive psychological approach leads to a change in how we approach people and their problems;
• Understand what this change in approach means for our practice as coaches;
• Be familiar with positive psychology interventions for raising happiness;
• Understand in detail about strengths and their relevance for human functioning and performance;
• Understand how to listen for, and play to a client’s strengths through the coaching relationship;
• Be able to apply a positive psychological strengths-based approach in their coaching relationships.

Course Syllabus

Week 1: What is positive psychology? Background assumptions and implications

Week 2: Happiness: What is it, and can it be changed?

Week 3: Happiness interventions that work

Week 4: The psychology of strengths: An introduction

Week 5: Listening for strengths

Week 6: Coaching for strengths

Week 7: Special topics (by popular demand)

Week 8: Applying positive psychology in coaching: Actions and opportunities