Short Course in Applied Positive Psychology - 2 Days - Brisbane

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

"Very rarely are we given the opportunity to experience extremely well researched and coherent material in a concise, entertaining and truly worthwhile series of presentations. By far the most informative and literally life-changing PD programme of the past ten years!" — Christopher George, Teacher, The Southport School

"An excellent course presented in an engaging and compelling manner. I appreciated Rob's enthusiasm and energy with a lot of material being presented in a short period of time. Thank you for a great course!" — Bryan Couchman, New Zealand Defence Force

"I feel empowered, energised, and ready to implement the strategies that I learnt. I am so grateful for the opportunity to attend this course and connect with other like-minded people from such a wide range of experiences. I loved the course and didn't want it to end!" — Natalie Gheradin, Principal, Frances Primary School

"A fabulous introduction to Positive Psychology. Rob was wonderful! I will integrate this into my practice." — Jason Campbell, Psychologist, La Trobe University

"Fantastic. Great two days. Really enjoyed." — Paul Whatuira, Education and Welfare Officer, Wests Tigers Rugby League

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

• 8:00am - 8:30am: Arrival tea and coffee
• 8:30am - 10:30am: Module 1a: Introduction to Positive Psychology
• 10:30am - 11:00am: Morning tea
• 11:00am - 12:30pm: Module 1b: The Strengths Approach
• 12:30pm - 1:30pm: Lunch
• 1:30pm - 3:00pm: Module 2a: Cultivating Positivity
• 3:00pm - 3:30pm: Afternoon tea
• 3:30pm - 4:30pm: Module 2b: Understanding Mindfulness

Day 2

• 8:00am - 8:30am: Arrival tea and coffee
• 8:30am - 10:30am: Module 3: Embracing Engagement
• 10:30am - 11:00am: Morning tea
• 11:00am - 12:30pm: Module 4: Building Positive Relationships
• 12:30pm - 1:30pm: Lunch
• 1:30pm - 3:00pm: Module 5: Finding Meaning
• 3:00pm - 3:20pm: Afternoon tea
• 3:20pm - 4:20pm: Module 6: Pursuing Accomplishment
• 4:20pm - 4:30pm: Presentation of certificates

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.

Course inclusions

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

Learn more about the course at www.positivedifference.com.au