1. The document discusses post-traumatic growth, which is the idea that people can experience positive psychological changes and improvements in their lives after experiencing trauma or difficult circumstances. 2. It describes five areas of growth that people often experience, including greater personal strength, improved relationships, a new appreciation for life, seeing new opportunities, and experiencing deeper spiritual or existential changes. 3. The document advocates that through positive psychology practices and an upward spiral approach, people can construct a new reality and heal from past trauma by addressing it and experiencing post-traumatic growth.

1. Dr. Aymee Coget
Post Traumatic Growth

2. Agenda
2
1. Introduction
2. Positive Psychology
3. Trauma
4. Post Traumatic Growth
5. Next Steps

3. INTRODUCTION

4. 4
Happiness is the Goal of all Goals

5. VISION

6. 6
Following the light bulb

7. MISSION

8. 8
Putting Positive Psychology in Your Hands

9. POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

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17:1 depression to happiness studies

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APA Adoption in 1998

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“Positive Psychology is the scientific study of human flourishing,
and an applied approach to optimal functioning. It has also
been defined as the study of the strengths and virtues that
enable individuals, communities and organisations to thrive.”
Source: Positive Psychology Institute
Definition

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Broaden and Build Theory

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Upward Spirals Counter Downward Spirals treating
symptoms of depression, anxiety, bipolar even schizophrenia

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Benefits
1. Recover from illness faster
2. Increased immune system
3. Have greater prosocial behavior
4. Get promoted more often
5. Make more money
6. Have more satisfying, better, longer-lasting relationships
7. Live on average 7 years longer
8. More creative
9. More productive
10. Greater resiliency
(Lyubomirsky, S., King, L. A., & Diener, E. (2005). The benefits of frequent positive affect. Psychological
Bulletin, 131, 803-855.)

16. TRAUMA

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Trauma
1. Arouses strong, disturbing feelings
2. Shock
3. Denial
4. Fear
5. Anger
6. Guilt
7. Shame
8. Feelings of helplessness
9. Vulnerability
10. PTSD
Some traumatic memories fades naturally with time, but if symptoms
persist, it is imperative that professional help is sought.

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1. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) =
anxiety-related mental health disorder
2. Occurs after an extremely stressful event
(sexual assault, physical violence, or combat)
3. it can occur after nearly any traumatic event,
and has nothing to do with signs of weakness
or poor character
4. It was officially recognized as a mental health
disorder in the DSM-3 in 1980
What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

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Shades of Trauma

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Speaking the word ‘trauma’
is traumatizing

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Confronting YOUR trauma
is traumatizing

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Repressing YOUR trauma
is traumatizing

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Saying the word ‘rape’
is traumatizing

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Being raped 3 times in 1 year
is traumatizing

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Being raped by someone you trusted
is traumatizing

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Being raped in childhood by a child predator
is traumatizing

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Being the offspring of a rape
is traumatizing

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Being raped your whole life
is traumatizing

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Seeing the news
is traumatizing

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Heck, even going to the grocery store
can be traumatizing!

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Your trauma could be related to something
someone else thinks is normal

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You could repress your trauma
for 30 years

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You could have a million symptoms you
treated on the surface when really your
trauma needs to be addressed

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Acknowledging, grieving & feeling
your trauma are a big step

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Healing your trauma is next

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Positive psychology offers a path

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Consider post traumatic growth when
you are ready to confront your trauma

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Shades of Trauma

40. POST TRAUMATIC GROWTH

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1. Theory of Post Traumatic Growth
2. Benefits of PTG
3. 5 Areas of Growth

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Introduced in the mid 1990’s
by psychologists
Richard Tedeschi & Lawrence Calhoun

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Find Meaning & Purpose in the Suffering

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New found appreciation for life

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Growth Areas Include:
1. Psychological
2. Relational
3. Spiritual

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You become stronger
&
better able to handle whatever life has to throw at you

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PTG is a researched construct:
1. Psychology
2. Philosophy
3. Religion

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PTG = people can grow in 5 different areas

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1. Greater Resilience
2. Courageous
3. Comfortable standing up for yourself
4. Past difficult life experiences have
prepared you for the hard-knocks of life
Personal Strength

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1. Your relationships are deeper & more satisfying
2. You have little patience with or desire for superficial interactions
3. You search for opportunities to interact with people on a deep,
emotional level
4. You have more compassion for others
Relating to Others

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1. A new world opens up for you
2. Things that seemed
unachievable before the
trauma are now possible
New Possibilities

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1. “Small” things in life are now important.
2. Life is seen as a gift
3. Life is never taken for granted
4. Laughter of kids stirs new emotions
5. A beautiful painting results in reflection
6. You let work take a backseat to
spending time with family / friends
7. You are engaging in hobbies
Appreciation of Life

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1. You experience a profound sense of connectedness to something larger than you
2. Your faith becomes stronger
3. Prayer is more meaningful
4. Those who are less religious, may become more spiritual
5. You begin to ask questions:
“Why am I here?”
“What is my purpose?”
“By what code, ethics, or morals should I follow?”
“What is the meaning of life?”
Spiritual & Existential Change

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You CAN experience
positive & transformative psychological changes
in the aftermath of trauma
1. Constructionism asserts you can create your reality
2. Belief Systems can be deconstructed & reconstructed
Constructionist

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A framework to help you make sense of suffering
Instead of seeing pain, hurt, & horror that surrounds you in life as meaningless,
existentialism, encourages you to ask the questions:
1. “Why?”
2. “How?”
3. “Why did this happen to me or my loved one?”
4. “How could a power greater than me allow something like this to occur?”
Existentialism

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Summary
1. Personal Growth
2. Improve Relationships
3. Appreciate Life
4. New Opportunities
5. Create your Reality
6. Connect on Deeper Levels of Life

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Where are you now?

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Hedonic Treadmill Emotional
Roller Coaster
Hedonic Mirage
Hedonic Adaptation Downward Spiral Traumatized
Triggered
Repressed

59. NEXT STEPS

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Upward Spiral
“Happiness For HumanKind has taken the science of happiness and
made it accessible to all.”
TAL BEN-SHAHAR, PH.D., HARVARD UNIVERSITY HAPPINESS PROFESSOR & NYT BEST SELLING AUTHOR OF 'HAPPIER'

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Positive Psychology Programs
Upward
Spiral
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Makeover
Conscious
Relationships
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Training
Corporate
Wellness
Speaking/
Groups
Media
Complimentary Consultations & 20% off till August 1st

62. 62
Dani Parker
Heart Based
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Amanda Kahlow
40 under 40
Founder of 6Sense
Warrior for Women & Girls
Lynsey Dyer
Professional Skier
Movie Producer
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Aymee Coget
Happiness Doctor
Reiki Master
Author

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Questions and Comments
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