8 Advanced Positive Psychology Coaching Skills to Explore

No one is safe…

… except maybe positive psychology practitioners…

Forged in a world of cutting-edge research, new and more effective therapies coming out, and a science that is constantly correcting itself, positive psychology has the unique luxury of endurance in the job market.

Maybe you’re looking for a new career path that’s not in danger of becoming obsolete. Maybe you’re already working in positive psychology and wondering how your job will stand up to the test of time, or what your growth opportunity will look like over your career (see job crafting).

But I’ll tell you the secret when it comes to future-proofing your career:

it’s more about cultivating the right skills than it is about your job title.

If you have the right skills or care enough about mastering them (continuous development is one of our core values here at PostivePsychology.com), you’ll never run short of assets to add to your arsenal.

To get you started, we’ve narrowed down eight indispensable positive psychology coaching skills that will make you a valuable, sought-after practitioner. Why? Because with these skills you’re going to be able to make your clients happy by delivering actual results.

Please note: this list is by no means exhaustive.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free. These science-based exercises will explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology including strengths, values, and self-compassion, and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students, or employees.

1. You Have a Second Wave Mindset

Back in 2004, Barbara Held argued that positive psychology has presented itself as a separate field of psychology characterized by a

“negativity about negativity itself”.

In her opinion, it would benefit both psychologies in general and positive psychology in particular for it to become more integrated into psychology.

She advocates the importance of an:

“open acknowledgement and appreciation of the negative side of human existence/nature, a side that has heretofore been denied or dismissed by promoters of the movement’s dominant message” (Held, 2004, p.40).

Initially, the strong focus of positive psychology on the positive side of human functioning was meant to restore the imbalance created by the deficit focus that dominated psychology.

However, the strong focus on positive experiences, traits, thoughts, and emotions carries the implicit message that people should mainly strive for positive experiences and should avoid negative experiences.

While “psychology as usual” was criticized by positive psychologists for developing an almost exclusive focus on repairing weakness, positive psychology has been criticized for adopting an almost exclusive focus on wellbeing and positive outcomes.

The excessive embrace of the positive can be conceptualized as “first wave positive psychology”. Second wave Positive Psychology takes a more nuanced approach to the notions of ‘positive’ and ‘negative’. Its focus remains the enhancement of wellbeing and it appreciates humans’ complex nature by:

• recognizing that seemingly negative experiences can contribute to positive aspects of human functioning and transformation
• recognizing that seemingly positive qualities and experiences can be detrimental to wellbeing under certain circumstances
• recognizing the importance of coping with negative thoughts, experiences, and behavior

Second wave practitioners see positive psychology as an addition to the field of psychology, not as a substitute.

Relevant Resources:

1. Positive Psychology 2.0: Towards a Balanced Interactive Model of the Good Life: By Paul Wong
2. The Upside of Your Dark Side: By Todd Kashdan and Robert Biswas-Diener
3. Second Wave Positive Psychology: By Itai Ivtzan, Tim Lomas, Kate Hefferon, and Piers Worth

2. You Consider the Relationship Clients Have With Themselves

Many scholars have argued that self-acceptance is the key to psychological wellbeing (Ellis, 1995; Williams & Lynn, 2011; Ryff & Singer, 2008). Self-acceptance refers to the relationship that the individual has with himself.

Self-acceptance is conceptualized as the acceptance of self in spite of weaknesses or deficiencies.

Some scholars have added the term “unconditional” to the concept to stress the fact that self-acceptance is not based on self-evaluation against some standard, but a relational stance in which the individual accepts himself at a very fundamental level.

A person with a high level of self-acceptance does not feel “less” compared to others because of his failures or negative attributes and does not feel “better” than others because of his successes and positive attributes.

Self-acceptance allows the individual to experience a healthy relationship with the self.

Note that self-acceptance does not mean that the individual refrains from evaluating his behavior. The individual does reflect on his behavior and is willing and motivated to make changes and improve the behavior, but the evaluation of the behavior is not taken personally or perceived as a threat to one’s self-worth.

The Danger of Positive Psychology Interventions…

Many positive psychology interventions, like “the best possible self” or “at your best” aim to promote wellbeing by inviting clients to contemplate about a best possible version of themselves. If not used with caution, these exercises can easily become interpreted by clients as a focus on “improving the self”.

When this is the case, they may resonate with the client’s deeply held belief that he is “not good enough”, or “not there yet”. When there is a lack of self-acceptance, interventions like using strengths, boosting positive thinking or benefit finding can be ways for the client to meet the desired self-image (“intelligent” or “strong”) and are unlikely to result in wellbeing.

So…

Before assisting clients in achieving their goals and aspirations, it is crucial to address why a client wants to change something (see skill 7). Clients may wish to change their behavior or environment for self-approval related reasons, and without taking these reasons in close consideration, a practitioner may unintentionally prevent or even decrease wellbeing.

From this perspective, cultivating self-acceptance can be considered a fundamental starting point of interventions that aim to achieve sustainable levels of wellbeing.

3. You Aim to Cultivate Both Subjective and Psychological Wellbeing

This may be the most important positive psychology coaching skill, so I will explain this one extensively.

In scientific literature, the complex construct of wellbeing has been conceptualized in many different ways. Two of the most common conceptualizations of wellbeing in the field of Positive Psychology are subjective wellbeing (SWB) and psychological wellbeing (PWB) (Linley, Maltby, Wood, Osborne, & Hurling, 2009).

Subjective Wellbeing (SWB)

SWB refers to the evaluation of one’s life (Diener, 1984; see also Diener et al., 1999). In an informal context, SWB is often referred to as “happiness”. SWB involves 3 three core components:

1. life satisfaction (cognitive component)
2. positive affect (affective component)
3. negative affect (affective component)

Psychological Wellbeing

While the terms SWB and Psychological Wellbeing (PWB) are often used interchangeably, they are derived from separate traditions: hedonism and eudaimonism (Joseph & Liney, 2005).

SWB focuses on the hedonic aspect of wellbeing, which is the pursuit of happiness and a pleasant life. The psychological wellbeing perspective (PWB), on the other hand, focuses on eudaimonic wellbeing, which is the fulfillment of human potential and a meaningful life.

PWB involves perceived thriving in the face of existing challenges of life, such as pursuing meaningful goals, growing and developing as a person, and establishing quality ties to others (Ryff, 1989; Ryff and Keyes, 1995; Ryff and Singer, 2008 ).

In this view, wellbeing is the outcome of positive goal pursuits (Deci & Ryan, 2008). Using developmental, humanistic, and clinical psychological insights, Ryff (1989) developed a model of psychological wellbeing that includes six related, yet distinct components:

• positive evaluation of oneself and one’s past (self-acceptance)
• a sense of continued growth and development as a person (environmental mastery)
• the belief that one’s life is purposeful and meaningful (purpose in life)
• quality relations with others (positive relations with others)
• the capacity to manage one’s life and the surrounding world effectively (personal growth)
• a sense of self-determination (autonomy).

Why is it Important to Address Both Types of Wellbeing?

Because research findings suggest that the relationship between SWB and PWB is bi-directional.

Let me explain.

At first glance, SWB may seem the primary result of higher levels of PWB. For instance, a person who has positive relations with others and experiences a high level of autonomy is likely to experience positive feelings like joy, excitement, and so on.

Research, however, has shown that SWB can also influence PWB. Experiments have shown that induced positive mood leads to a higher purpose in life (Hicks & King, 2009; King et al., 2006).

In sum, components of PWB like meaningful commitments and purpose in life can promote opportunities for satisfaction and happiness. At the same time, positive affect can facilitate advanced cognitive functions and behavioral repertoires, thus fostering psychological growth and meaning-making (see Broaden-and-Build Theory).

The Second Reason Differentiating Between PWB and SWB is Important

The deepness that PWB adds to the human experience moves beyond “feeling good”. The sense of autonomy and authenticity that emerge from valued actions and coping with difficulties is not some fleeting feeling: it is a profound experience of meaning and self-efficacy.

A life that is characterized by high levels of PWB is likely to be characterized by many positive and pleasurable feelings, as well as difficult and uncomfortable ones. By only focusing on SWB, you undermine the very foundations of the second wave perspective.

4. You Help Clients to Build Their Strengths

Strengths are characteristics of a person that allow them to perform at their personal best.

Strengths include positive attributes, abilities, thoughts, behaviors, and resources.

Whereas weaknesses can prevent the client from realizing his aspirations, strengths can help the client to realize them more effectively and directly contribute to increased wellbeing.

In general, there are two types of strengths:

• strengths in the context of resilience.
• strengths in the context of performance.

In the context of resilience, strengths refer to characteristics that allow humans to effectively cope with difficult times.

Examples of these characteristics include optimism, gratitude, and mindfulness. In this context, strengths can be defined as:

“the capacity to cope with difficulties, to maintain functioning in the face of stress, to bounce back in the face of significant trauma, to use external challenges as a stimulus for growth, and to use social supports as a source of resilience”. (McQuaide & Ehrenreich, 1997, p.203).

Scientific research has consistently demonstrated that using one’s strengths is associated with higher levels of wellbeing.

For example, people who use their strengths have been found to experience more:

• positive affect
• Vitality
• Self-esteem
• job satisfaction
• Engagement at work

The following definition of a strength is most suitable in the context of work and performance:

“… a strength is a pre-existing capacity for a particular way of behaving, thinking, or feeling that is authentic and energizing to the user, and enables optimal functioning, development and performance” (Linley, 2008, p.9).

Positive Psychology practitioners should address both types of strengths because they promote optimal functioning in different ways, either by increasing joy and engagement or by dealing effectively with problems and obstacles.

5. You Acknowledge the Complex Nature of Human Functioning

Every label is a reduction of the endless complexity of reality.

Consider the label “American”. When we talk about “Americans” we treat more than 300 million people as if they are all the same, completely ignoring the diversity of all those people.

The same applies to labels like “eating disorder”, “bipolar disorder”. When using these labels, the risk exists that you ignore the client’s characteristics that contribute to his unique identity and circumstances.

This may lead us to generalise clients, fail to see their unique identity, history and strengths and thereby severely ignore their unique nature and unique potential for growth.

Once you start categorizing clients in terms of their problems, the collection of information that is inconsistent with the category is hindered (Salovey & Turk, 1991).

For example, when a client is diagnosed with depression, you may seek and pay extra attention to information that confirms the client’s negative thinking styles, while ignoring information that suggests otherwise (aka the confirmation bias). You may be more inclined to ask for the client’s negative stories about the past while ignoring to address positive aspirations for the future.

Simply put, it is what you look for that you see.

In order to receive information on potential sources for growth and discover the client’s ability to cope with challenges, we need to ask about the client’s successes and achievements. In addition to asking a client “how come this is the third time for you to become depressed?”, we may also ask “how did you manage to get over your depression the last two times?”.

Both questions are necessary to create a balanced view of the client’s situation and resources.

Relevant Resources:

1. Maddux J. E., Snyder C. R., Lopez S. J. (2004). Toward a positive clinical psychology: Deconstructing the illness ideology and constructing an ideology of human strengths and potential. In Linley P. A., Joseph S.(Eds.), Positive psychology in practice (pp. 320-334). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
2. Snyder C. R., Lopez S. J., Edwards L. M., Pedrotti J. T., Prosser E. C., Walton S. L., . . . Ulven J. C. (2003). Measuring and labeling the positive and the negative. In Lopez S. J., Snyder C. R. (Eds.), Positive psychological assessment: A handbook of models and measures (pp. 21-40). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

6. You Don’t See Your Client as Broken and in Need of Fixing

Clients are considered to be experts of their own lives. The practitioner facilitates. Of all people, the client holds the answers to his true aspirations, strengths, and values.

The client knows which experiences provide him joy and energy, which thoughts run through his mind and what his deepest fears are. The practitioner operates with this awareness and assists in uncovering answers that are already present within the client, rather than providing them.

Paradoxically, the need to change the client may actually prevent the client from experiencing autonomy and taking responsibility for his actions.

Indirectly, by wanting to change the client, you are sending the message:

“there is something wrong with you and I am going to help you fix it”.

Note that this message is in sharp contrast with the message:

“you are good the way you are and you have what it takes to deal with the things that prevent you from seeing this”.

Making Yourself Progressively Unnecessary

The goal of a practitioner is to eventually become redundant by helping clients to behave in line with personal values and effectively cope with challenges.

Diagnosing clients predominantly in terms of their shortcomings and problems is unlikely to contribute to this process because it can cause the client to internalize the label ( I “am” a borderliner).

The client starts perceiving himself through the lens of this limited label, falsely believing that he is the label that he was diagnosed with. Identification with negative labels can reduce self-efficacy, increase the client’s feelings of helplessness and strengthen his perception of being a victim.

A teacher is one who makes himself progressively unnecessary.

So What Aspects do You Address and Why?

By addressing the personal strengths of a client, his aspirations, and his potentialities, you allow the client to perceive himself through a lens of options and possibilities.

By identifying coping styles that have been proven successful in the past, you allow the client to become aware of his personal resources.

By addressing his values and aspirations, you stress the importance of his personal development.

By discussing the supportive social network of the client, you emphasize his connection to others and allow the client to perceive himself beyond his problems only.

Assessing clients through a multi-dimensional lens automatically affects the role of weaknesses in the healing process. Rather than being the primary target of the intervention, weaknesses now become embedded in a larger picture and are considered in the service of personal goals and values.

Relevant Resources:

1. Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. New York: Plenum.
2. Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55, 68–78.

7. You Address the Underlying Motives for Change

Don’t just help a client to achieve whatever he wants. Dive into the motives for change.

Research in the field of motivation has revealed that the underlying motives for change are a strong predictor of wellbeing (see Emmons, 1999, for a review).

For example, a client may wish to use his strengths more often.

Rather than simply identifying this wish, the practitioner also addresses the client’s reasons underlying it. The client may be motivated to use his strengths more because he feels less competent in the eyes of others.

His motivation may be characterized by a lack of self-acceptance (see skill 2) and need for approval.

Alternatively, the client may want to use his strengths more because it allows him to do the work he loves even better. His intentions are guided by a sincere need for personal growth.

Gaining insight into the underlying motives for change allows the clients to move from simply achieving particular results to achieving results that structurally affect his wellbeing.

8. You Have a Science-Based Practice

In his book “Practicing Positive Psychology Coaching: Assessment, Diagnosis, and Intervention” Robert Biswas-Diener, beautifully summarised the importance of science-based practice:

“Although the topics of positive psychology, such as happiness, appear at first glance to be straightforward concerns, the scientific exploration of them is far from simple.

A technical understanding of positive psychology, including the ability to critically consume the research literature, effectively use relevant assessments, and create interventions that are within the bounds of the field, is a critical component to being an effective positive psychology coach” (2010, p.6)

Even though you don’t have to be a statistics expert and live and breathe SPSS, you do need to know how to interpret scientific findings and be able to translate them into real-world practice.

You can confidently grab an academic journal, read an article and distill the most important findings and come up with a way to apply them in real-life settings.

Want to practice this skill?

1. Open and download the following scholarly articles selected by the Positive Psychology Center
2. Read and reread them and jot down the most important findings.
3. Brainstorm on interventions and exercises you can base on these findings alone.
4. TIP: Do this brainstorm with someone who is also interested in PP. It’s a lot of fun!

A Take-Home Message

With these skills, you can help your clients or students to:

• acknowledge and appreciate the negative side of human existence
• see how the negative can lead to the positive
• develop resilience and coping skills
• consider the relationship they have with themselves
• foster self-acceptance
• cultivate subjective wellbeing
• cultivate psychological wellbeing
• build their strengths
• see their unique identity, history, strengths and potential for growth
• change certain life aspects of their lives, without changing it for them
• become independent by making yourself progressively unnecessary
• address underlying motives for change and find out what it is they really want
• perform science-based interventions that have proven to lead to specific outcomes

Of course, you don’t want to focus on all of these things at once.

So bookmark or save this page now so that you can always refer to it at a later point in time.

We hope this page will help you to more effectively help other people.

“To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free.