{"id":20238,"date":"2017-05-09T02:07:00","date_gmt":"2017-05-09T10:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/coachestrainingblog.com\/becomeacoach\/?p=20238"},"modified":"2017-05-09T02:07:00","modified_gmt":"2017-05-09T10:07:00","slug":"is-psychology-positive-or-negative-for-coaches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coachestrainingblog.com\/becomeacoach\/is-psychology-positive-or-negative-for-coaches\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Psychology Positive or Negative for Coaches?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is psychology positive<\/strong><\/a> or negative when coaches include it in their practices? Will learning more about positive psychology give you more tools with which to help your clients find the outcomes they seek?<\/p>\n

\"Psychology
Psychology Positive – MICHAIL PANAGIOTIDIS \u00a9 123RF.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What is Positive Psychology?<\/h3>\n

The phrase \u201cpositive psychology\u201d<\/strong> was first used by Abraham Maslow in 1954 to motivate the field of psychology to focus on humanity\u2019s potential just as much as it focuses on humanity\u2019s shortcomings. It was used again in 1998 by Martin Seligman, the president of the American Psychological Association. Seligman recognized that most research had been done on human deficiencies and how to alleviate them, and that more research should be done on human strengths and how to encourage and promote them.<\/p>\n

Positive psychology is the scientific study of the virtues and strengths that enable individuals and communities to succeed and thrive. So \u2013 is psychology positive<\/strong> or negative, or even neutral when used in the field of coaching?<\/p>\n

Psychology \u2013 Positive in Coaching<\/h3>\n

Using the principles of positive psychology in coaching adds tremendous value to the work of a coach. Focusing on strengths is what coaching is all about \u2013 positive psychological practices can help clients become happier, and happier people are usually healthier, more creative, more motivated, and more likely to reach their goals.<\/p>\n

How Positive Psychology Helps Coaches<\/h3>\n

Clients pay coaches for many reasons, but they usually pay coaches to improve their lives. When an individual has a disorder or a mental disease, they seek out a counselor a psychiatrist, but when they come to a coach, they usually want to focus on their strengths, talents, and attributes.<\/p>\n

Coaches use positive psychology tools such as the VIA Survey of Signature Strengths to identify virtues and strengths, and then help clients create strategic plans to use those strengths to reach their goals. Being a positive psychological coach gives you more tools to help your clients reach their goals and the outcomes they desire.<\/p>\n

Fields of Research for Positive Coaches<\/h3>\n

When using psychology, positive<\/strong> traits and questions should be explored. Before working with clients, coaches should explore and research the following fields so they have a better grasp of how to incorporate them into their sessions:<\/p>\n