Positive Psychology is the scientific study of human flourishing. It answers the question, What makes people really, truly happy? Well-designed research experiments provide information about what leads to well-being for the general population. This is extremely important because it helps practitioners like me to design applications that are based on scientific study, rather than purely on personal experience. I know what worked for me during my divorce, but Positive Psychology helps me know if those same approaches are likely to work for you as well.

Positive Psychology concerns itself with areas such as:

	• Character strengths • Positive relationships • Levels of engagement at work and in leisure activities • Meaning in life • Positive emotions • Physical health
A myth about Positive Psychology that it is so focused on increasing happiness that it ignores the suffering that is a part of our world and, indeed, a part of each individual’s life. I’d like to debunk that myth right here and now. While it’s true that Positive Psychology is focused on things like love, joy, and hope, it does not try to stuff negative emotions and experiences under the carpet. Not only would that be a denial of our very human experience, but the richness in the coexistence of life’s highs and lows would also be missed. One of the areas of Positive Psychology that most fascinates me is the study of resilience, especially as it relates to posttraumatic growth. What Nietzsche said was true, That which does not kill us makes us stronger. But how? And why? I experienced posttraumatic growth through my divorce, and I am dedicated to helping you find your own form of growth. Thankfully, the field of Positive Psychology is continually contributing new information to this and other relevant topics. Positive Psychology resources I highly recommend:
Positivity: Groundbreaking Research Reveals How to Embrace the Hidden Strength of Positive Emotions, Overcome Negativity, and Thrive
Click here to see articles written by Kirsten for Positive Psychology News Daily on the topic of divorce. See how the theories of Positive Psychology relate directly to the journey you are on now.