In this session, we'll be launching a new manualized positive psychology intervention for people with serious mental health conditions. This program will give you, as the facilitator, practical and effective tools from positive psychology to teach people how they can take steps to feel happier in their daily lives. You might even find that these strategies help you feel happier too! The intervention is based on existing research about happiness, methods to build on what works in one’s life, and strategies to explore new areas for growth. Unlike more traditional mental health interventions which often focus on the problems or symptoms people experience, this program encourages people to look beyond what is going wrong and focus on what is strong, nurturing these areas and developing new abilities. Feeling happier does not only come from minimizing or eliminating mental health symptoms –it involves creating a more satisfying and fulfilling life.
Michelle Zechner, PhD, LSW, CPRP, is a clinical intervention researcher, educator, and psychiatric rehabilitation practitioner. Her work aims to promote recovery and multidimensional wellness for people with mental health conditions so that they can lead happier and more fulfilling lives. She has developed and evaluated best practice group psychosocial interventions and facilitated group interventions in outpatient and inpatient mental health settings. She has collaborated on positive psychology initiatives and has taken coursework in positive psychology coaching. Her work in positive psychology has focused on organizational strategies to promote flourishing, workforce development initiatives, and strategies to build personal resilience for people with serious mental illnesses, and employees in mental health and higher education settings.
Kaitlin Mitchell, LCSW is a PhD candidate, adjunct faculty member, and Senior Training & Consultation Specialist in the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions at Rutgers University. She has over 10 years of clinical experience working with individuals living with serious mental health conditions in a variety of inpatient and outpatient programs. Ms. Mitchell has participated in research on the development and implementation of evidence-based positive psychology interventions in mental health settings. She has received additional training in positive psychology through the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA) World Congress.
Ann A. Murphy, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Director of the Northeast and Caribbean Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) in the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions at Rutgers, School of Health Professions. Dr. Murphy conducts research focused on interventions to improve the lives of people with mental illnesses, and previously provided psychiatric rehabilitation services. She develops training, technical assistance, and resources to enhance the capacity of the behavioral health workforce to provide evidence-based and empirically supported practices.
