The Positive Psychology Toolbox:
Practical Interventions for Youth and Adults

Location:  Billerica, MA - Courtyard by Marriott, Billerica

After we've identified the learning challenges of our student, or named the disorders troubling our client, how do we bring her best qualities and coping skills and personal resources to bear on educational and treatment planning? With the client who is anxious, or the child who is inattentive or unfocused, how do we make use of his "grit" and "resilience?" And how can we as practitioners use positive psychology techniques to stay fresh and open with our clients, and to prevent burnout?

This high-energy, interactive workshop will highlight what we've learned from a decade of positive psychology as it applies to mental illness and substance abuse, trauma-related disorders, and challenging classroom behaviors in children ages 6 and up. We'll move quickly to positive psychology techniques you can integrate into your current skill set and style. As we challenge ourselves to see not just pathology but strengths and coping history, we will also identify techniques to promote hope in children; nurture the development of emotional regulation in adolescents; and identify adult clients' capacity for creativity, optimism and connection.

You will gain a wide range of concrete skills including how to elicit clients' highest visions of themselves and best hopes for treatment outcome. You'll apply best practices regarding the use of journaling, gratitude, and "savoring" as strategies your clients can use during - and after - their clinical work with you. We'll emphasize a cultural competency approach which affirms open-ended inquiry into our clients' experiences and values. Workshop participants will:

• Differentiate positive psychology from traditional approaches to mental health
• Describe positive psychology interventions for classroom, clinical, and residential applications
• Develop a plan to apply two specific techniques to your current caseload or classroom
• Adopt personal well-being "quality improvement" techniques - care for the caregiver

This workshop is geared towards mental health professionals, teachers, and experienced direct care staff. It will also benefit case managers, counselors, and special educators. The workshop format includes discussion, case examples, lecture, and experiential exercises.

Instructor:

Dr. David Nowell is a clinical neuropsychologist in private practice. He consults with acute rehabilitation and inpatient psychiatric settings. He has served as clinical director of the Learning Disability Assessment program at UMass Medical School Disability Evaluation Service.

Dr. Nowell speaks nationally, training professionals in human services organizations, hospital staff, and state agencies. He is an engaging speaker who presents concepts with humor and practicality.