Learning who you are and how you respond to the world around you is an important element of creating a satisfying and fulfilling life. This is a journey that can be benefited from having a guide to help you navigate difficult, challenging or frightening terrain. In our work together, we will discover your inner terrain -- that which makes you uniquely you, for better or worse. Like any journey of discovery, there is real and sometimes difficult work to be done, challenges to overcome, obstacles to leap and dangerous pitfalls to be avoided or ameliorated. There are also fantastical and beautiful discoveries to be made, strengths to be recognized, and keen abilities to be realized.

Most closely identified with the work of Dr. Martin Seligman, positive psychology has evolved over the years to focus on utilizing strengths in pursuit of sustainable happiness. According to Seligman, we can experience three kinds of happiness: 1) pleasure and gratification, 2) embodiment of strengths and virtues and 3) meaning and purpose. In our work, we do not ignore the basic realities of life -- the very real stress, challenges or trauma that you may have experienced. Rather, we seek to help you develop a sense of optimism for the future, happiness in the present and acceptance of the past. Much of your success will depend upon your willingness to learn new and healthier ways to manage your negative emotions and cope with life stresses.

In working together, we will identify your near and longer term goals -- for joy, meaning, a sense of purpose, sustainable happiness and contentment -- and your openness to pursuing new ways of thinking and behaving to help you reach those goals. We are not pursuing a Pollyanna view of the world, but rather a healthier approach to your real life that enables you to think constructively about the past, gain optimism and hope for the future and, as a result, gain greater happiness in the present. Our rate of progress and how far we advance will depend upon your interests and capacity to change. We will set a goal together and measure progress along the way, seeking commitment from you to try the next step of the journey as we progress.