Jameson K. Hirsch – författare

Positive psychology has become a vibrant, well-regarded field of study, and a powerful tool for clinicians. But, for many years, the research in areas relevant to positive psychology, such as happiness, subjective well-being, and emotional intelligence, has been based on findings from largely white samples and has rarely taken the concerns of the ethnic community into consideration.Now, for the first time, leaders in the field have come together to provide a comprehensive reference that focuses specifically on how a culturally-informed approach to positive psychology can help capitalize on the strengths of racial minority groups and have a greater potential to positively impact their psychological well-being.Acting as a bridge between positive psychology theory and research amp ndash largely based on an essentialist view of human behavior amp ndash and the realities of practice and assessment in diverse groups, Positive Psychology in Racial and Ethnic Groups focuses on four main ethnic groups: Asian Americans, Latin Americans, African Americans, and American Indians.

Depression, anxiety, and stress are responsible for an overwhelming number of mental health care visits, and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) offers the most popular, empirically supported approach to treating these conditions. Yet little is known about the effectiveness of CBT with African American, Latino, Asian American, and Native American populations amp ndash ethnic and racial groups that make up nearly half the population of the United States.  This volume shows therapists how to adapt cognitive behavioral treatments for use with racial and ethnic minority clients.  Contributors demonstrate how a client amp rsquo s particular sociocultural background contextualizes her experience and understanding of mental health issues.  They examine the influence of sociocultural context on experiences of social anxiety among Asian-Americans, the role of racial identity in the way stress and anxiety are experienced by African-American clients, and much more. They propose adaptations of standard CBT treatments to maximize their effectiveness for all clients, regardless of race or ethnicity.

This inspiring resource presents theories, findings, and interventions from Positive Suicidology, an emerging strengths-based approach to suicide prevention. Its synthesis of positive psychology and suicidology theories offers a science-based framework for promoting wellbeing to complement or, if appropriate, replace traditional deficit-driven theories and therapies used in reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Coverage reviews interpersonal, intrapersonal, and societal risk factors for suicide, and identifies protective factors, such as hope and resilience, that can be enhanced in therapy. From there, chapters detail a palette of approaches and applications of Positive Suicidology, from the powerful motivating forces described in Self-Determination Theory to meaning-building physical and social activities.Among the topics covered:Future-oriented constructs and their role in suicidal ideation and enactment.Gratitude as a protective factor for suicidal ideation and behavior: theory and evidence.Considering race and ethnicity in the use of positive psychological approaches to suicide.The Six R’s framework as mindfulness for suicide prevention.Community-based participatory research and empowerment for suicide prevention.Applied resiliency and suicide prevention: a strengths-based, risk-reduction framework.Psychotherapists, counselors, social workers, psychiatrists, and health psychologists, as well as educators, clergy and healthcare professionals, will find A Positive Psychological Approach to Suicide an invaluable source of contemporary evidence-based strategies for their prevention and intervention efforts with suicidal clients.