Short Course in Applied Positive Psychology
Positive and productive staff. Happy and engaged students. Energised and highly-performing teams. In educational, health, corporate and community organisations, leaders at all levels work to create a culture in which productivity, creativity and performance are optimised, and in which hard-working people can thrive. This is the field of wellbeing at work, and it draws its evidence from research in the broader domain of Positive Psychology.
In his book Flourish, Professor Martin Seligman (2011) identifies five Elements of Wellbeing necessary for individuals and organisations to be at their best. They are Positive Emotions, Engagement, Positive Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment, and they form the framework for the Short Course in Applied Positive Psychology we are proud to offer you here.
Conducted over two full days, this course will teach you the conditions and processes that lead to the optimal functioning of individuals, groups and organisations. You will learn how to be at your personal best at home and at work, and how to lead cultural change in your work environment to enhance wellbeing and improve performance. By synthesising research in the field of Positive Psychology, supported by current thinking in positive education, neuroscience, mindfulness, positive organisational practices and positive leadership, the course provides comprehensive coverage of the key theories and concepts that are transforming workplaces and classrooms across the world.
For wellbeing leaders, the neuroscientific evidence is clear. Learners better retain information and hence achieve more highly in the presence of positive emotions and positive relationships. Staff perform better, are more willing to innovate, and work more collegially in an organisation in which Positive Psychology is woven into the culture.
The Short Course in Applied Positive Psychology is an academic course, but it is also a practical course, grounded in the application of research findings to real-world contexts. You will be empowered with a deep knowledge of each of the Elements of Wellbeing identified by Professor Martin Seligman in his PERMA Model of Wellbeing. As well, you will gain a solid understanding of the science of neuroplasticity, the identification of strengths, and the practice of mindfulness.
The knowledge and practical strategies embodied in this course (with its accompanying resources) will provide a firm foundation for the positive cultural change you have envisioned for your organisation.
The course is also a personal learning opportunity. While you will be able to immediately apply what you learn at work, your new understandings will also magnify your self-awareness and self-esteem, enhance your personal relationships, strengthen your resilience and invigorate your sense of purpose in life.
Participation in this course is highly recommended for:
- School Principals, Deputy Principals, Heads of Year, Heads of House, Boarding Housemasters and other school wellbeing leaders who want to introduce the language and strategies of Positive Psychology to students, parents and staff
- School teachers who want to create highly positive and productive classrooms based on relational learning
- Human Resources personnel, line managers, department heads and change agents who want to nurture a more collaborative and positive workplace climate
- Educational leaders and business owners who want to optimise their organisation's work environment to best utilise their people's strengths
- Teachers, Community service workers, social workers, NDIS practitioners, and support staff who seek strategies to enhance their personal resilience and wellbeing
- Counsellors, Guidance Officers and coaches who want to add Positive Psychology interventions to their toolkit of effective strategies to help their clients cope with challenges and flourish
- All lifelong learners who seek personal growth, want to enhance their employability, or are keen to attain knowledge and skills they can apply in personal and community-related roles
Course feedback
Calendar
We are pleased to provide you with multiple opportunities to engage in professional development in a city near you.
Please contact us to express your interest in the Short Course in Applied Positive Psychology, and we will let you know when more dates and venues are available.
Australia
| Date | Location | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 4 August 2022 | Brisbane | Register |
| Thursday 18 August 2022 | Sydney | Register |
Online
The course is also available in a live virtual classroom format.
Course venues
Our course venues have been carefully selected to provide you with a premium professional development experience - to optimise your engagement and learning and, simply, to ensure you have a great time! Combine one or two of our courses with our discounted accommodation rates and return to work with renewed energy and purpose.
Holiday Inn Parramatta
18-40 Anderson Street, Parramatta
Hotel website | Map | City guide
Hotel Grand Chancellor Melbourne
131 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Hotel website | Map | City guide
The Ship Inn
Cnr Stanley and Sidon Streets, Brisbane
Hotel website | Map | City guide
Course organisation
Module 1: Introduction to Positive Psychology
Module 2: Cultivating positivity
Module 3: Embracing engagement
Module 4: Building positive relationships
Module 5: Finding meaning
Module 6: Pursuing accomplishment
Course structure
The course is delivered over two consecutive days from 8:30am - 4:30pm each day.
Day 1
Day 2
Course presenter
The course is presented by Robert Ritchie.
Rob founded Positive Difference with the mission to deliver comprehensive, research-validated training to optimise individual and organisational wellbeing, performance and leadership capacity. Through Positive Difference, Rob has helped hundreds of people do good better.
Rob's strengths are his capacity to see the big picture to draw connections between research fields; synthesise complex research findings into clearly structured frameworks and immediately applicable actions; and share this knowledge in a warm, inspiring and highly engaging way. His VIA signature strengths are perspective, judgement, honesty, creativity and humour.
Rob holds a Master of Education degree, a Bachelor of Education, a Bachelor of Arts with Honours, and a Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing. He is also an accredited practitioner of CAPP's Strengths Profile.
Robert Ritchie
Course photos
Below is a small selection of photos from the course. Please check out our Facebook page to see more photos.
Course fee and inclusions
Course fee
| Country | Price |
|---|---|
| Australia (AUD) | $949 |
| New Zealand (NZD) | $949 |
- Prices are inclusive of GST.
- We are pleased to offer several convenient payment methods.
Recognition of learning
A Certificate of Applied Positive Psychology will be awarded at the end of Day Two.
The course offers 12 hours of professional development in Applied Positive Psychology. Additional hours may be claimable for:
- Completing a VIA Character Strengths Profile before the course
- Watching video lectures and reading scholarly articles in a Professional Development Library after the course
Ongoing support
Participants will be provided with 6 months access to a Professional Development Library containing resources to consolidate and extend their knowledge of the course content, and to use for training purposes within their organisation. These resources include:
- PowerPoint presentations on each of the modules covered in the course
- Video lectures by key researchers in the field of Positive Psychology
- Scholarly articles
Other inclusions
- A premium hotel venue with the option of discounted accommodation
- A professional workbook
- A pen and writing pad
- VIA Character Strengths identification
- 24 strengths cards
- 30 gratitude cards
- Morning tea
- Lunch
- Afternoon tea
- All-day beverages
Our recommendation
With the Short Course in Applied Positive Psychology, you get two days of professional training in the science of optimal functioning along with an extensive collection of supporting resources so you can share your newly-acquired knowledge with your colleagues.
For best results, we suggest having several of your high-performing people complete the course so that they can form a team to lead sustainable cultural change in your organisation.