Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness and Human Strengths » (1st Edition)

Alan Carr is the director of the doctoral training programme in clinical psychology at University College Dublin and Consultant Marital and Family Therapist at the Clanwilliam Institute for Marital and Family Therapy in Dublin. His previous publications include The Handbook of Child and Adolescent Psychology: A Contextual Approach (Routledge 1999), What works with Children and Adolescents? A Critical Review of Psychological Interventions with Children, Adolescents and their Families (Routledge 2000) and Prevention: What Works With Children and Adolescents? A Critical Review of Psychological Prevention Programmes for Children, Adolescents and their Families (Routledge 2002).

What is positive psychology?

Positive psychology is concerned with the enhancement of happiness and well being, involving the scientific study of the role of personal strengths and positive social systems in the promotion of optimal well-being. The central themes of positive psychology, including Happiness, Hope, Creativity and Wisdom, are all investigated in this book in the context of their possible applications in clinical practise.

Positive Psychology is unique in offering an accessible introduction to this emerging field of clinical psychology. It covers:
* available resources including websites and test forms
* methods of measurement
* a critique of available research
* recommendations for further reading.

Positive Psychology will prove a valuable resource for psychology students and lecturers who will benefit from the learning objectives and research stimuli included in each chapter. It will also be of great interest to those involved in training in related areas such as social work, counselling and psychotherapy.