How to Apply Positive Psychology Skills in the Workplace
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How to Apply Positive Psychology in the Workplace


June 9, 2023

Positive psychology can be a valuable tool for many professionals according to Scott Glassman, PsyD, director of the Master of Applied Positive Psychology program at PCOM.

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Opportunities to apply positive psychology skills in the workplace are plentiful.

“Your career as a psychologist, consultant, mental health counselor, human resources director, social worker, or health/life coach can be informed by positive psychology, and your impact increased as a result of the application of positive psychology approaches,” Glassman said.

Applying Positive Psychology in the Workplace

So how can you apply the principles of positive psychology in your career? Glassman identified several sectors in which skills in positive psychology can help individuals pursue a rewarding and meaningful career:

Healthcare workers

“In healthcare settings, positive psychology practices and principles can help patients manage chronic illnesses, recover from surgery, and improve their overall well-being.” Glassman said. Psychologists, therapists, counselors, and other healthcare professionals with a background in positive psychology can offer unique support in these settings.

Education

Schools and universities have been increasingly devoting resources to student well-being for academic success, Glassman explained. Educators, administrators, and school psychologists trained in positive psychology can contribute to more supportive learning environments and improved student outcomes.

Human resources and management

Post-pandemic, businesses and organizations are interested in improving employee morale, engagement, productivity, and retention. According to Glassman, professionals with training in positive psychology can offer valuable strategies in these areas, working in roles such as human resources, management, leadership development, and team building.

Life or wellness coach

Life coaches, executive coaches, and wellness coaches often use positive psychology principles and practices to help their clients reach their personal and professional goals.

“The demand for these services is high in a variety of sectors,” Glassman said.

Research and development

Individuals with advanced positive psychology degrees, who also have a background in research, can play a valuable role in research on happiness and extension programs at universities dedicated to creating and implementing programs that enhance community well-being.

Glassman listed roles in design, product development, or consultation as other options for individuals with training in positive psychology.

“There is a growing demand for experts who can integrate positive psychology principles and practices into user-friendly tech products, including mobile apps,” he said.

Mental health services

In the field of mental health, professionals with a background in positive psychology can help clients build resilience, foster strengths, and improve their overall well-being, complementing traditional therapeutic approaches.

Public sector

At the community and government level, positive psychology principles can inform policies that aim to improve societal well-being, Glassman added. This can include roles in social services, community development, or public policy analysis.

There are also new areas of focus and emerging trends that provide additional opportunities for those focused on understanding and enhancing human well-being, happiness and flourishing. These include:

  • Environmental well-being which involves studying human thriving from an ecological perspective that takes into account climate, cultural, economic, and political conditions.
  • Incorporating positive psychology in technology, including mobile apps and in the development and deployment of artificial intelligence models.
  • Better understanding the neuroscientific correlates of strengths, resilience, and positive thoughts, emotions, actions and experiences.
  • Research and applications that address children’s mental health and burnout, including burnout in high-demand roles in healthcare and education.

Developing and Using Positive Psychology Skills

Opportunities to apply positive psychology skills in the workplace are plentiful, according to Glassman, and he is focused on helping people develop those skills through PCOM's MAPP program.

“Our MAPP degree can prepare students for doctoral work, make them more effective in their coaching practices or in the provision of health services, prepare them for a wellness leadership role (e.g., Chief People Officer), and teach them how to conduct program evaluation and implement wellness programs in organizations,” he said.

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