Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS CreditsLast Updated Date
2PSY 522Positive Psychotherapy3+0+03831.10.2025

 
Course Details
Language of Instruction Turkish
Level of Course Unit Master's Degree
Department / Program MA Program in Clinical Psychology (Thesis) (%30 English)
Type of Program Formal Education
Type of Course Unit Elective
Course Delivery Method Face To Face
Objectives of the Course • Understand the Foundational Concepts of Positive Psychology
• Comprehend the basic principles of Positive Psychology, including the study of positive experiences, well-being, strengths, and flourishing.
• Understand the key theories and models of Positive Psychology, such as Flow theory (Csikszentmihalyi) and the Authentic Happiness model (Seligman).
• Study the application of Positive Psychology in clinical settings and therapeutic interventions.
• Analyze the Interplay Between Psychological Concepts and Human Flourishing
• Explore how concepts like resilience, motivation, optimism, and virtues contribute to human well-being.
• Investigate the role of values, self-awareness, and positive communication in personal growth and development.
• Develop a Critical Perspective on Positive Psychology Approaches
• Reflect on the contributions of classical and modern psychology to the understanding of human flourishing.
• Explore Positive Psychology Interventions
• Learn about Positive Psychology interventions used in clinical practice, including strategies for managing stress, depression, and improving mental resilience.
• Apply Theoretical Knowledge to Clinical Practice
• Develop Research and Reflective Skills
Course Content Positive Psychology is an academic field within psychology that focuses on the study of positive experiences, individual strengths, interpersonal relationships, and the societal and institutional conditions that contribute to human flourishing. Unlike traditional psychology, which often concentrates on mental illness and dysfunction, Positive Psychology emphasizes the enhancement of well-being, personal development, and life satisfaction. It explores key concepts such as positive emotions, character strengths (e.g., gratitude, resilience, hope), engagement, and meaning, while also investigating the role of supportive social systems, education, and communities in promoting these outcomes. The field employs various methodologies, including empirical research, interventions, and the development of evidence-based practices, to understand how individuals and societies can thrive.
Course Methods and Techniques Class Norms/ Expectations:

Attendance-Participation: Regular class attendance is expected. The classes are made up of 14 sessions. Students are required to attend at least 70% of classes (10/14 classes).

Failure to attend more than four sessions without a valid excuse will directly result in subject failure. It is expected that students contribute to class discussions, participate in classroom experiential activities, discussions and evaluations of video’s.

Late/ Make-up Work Policy: Without a valid reason (e.g. medical certificate for an illness, death in the family), late assignments can be submitted and incur a 5% mark deduction for every day the assignment is late. Extensions are granted only in exceptional circumstances and need to be discussed with the lecturer beforehand. It is not possible to make-up work for an assignment that has not been submitted.

Re-grading: The re-grading of assignments is not possible.

Use of Mobile Devices: Mobile phones have the potential to disrupt concentration and therefore it is preferred that their use is limited to the breaks. In emergencies, calls can be taken outside of class without disrupting the lecture.

Student Recording of Class: Lectures can be voice recorded for personal use.

Academic integrity including collaboration and plagiarism: It is expected students to complete their academic work with maximum ethical precision. Copying, plagiarism and similar academic violations may place both the subject and student enrolment at risk.

Special Accommodations: Notify your lecturer of your situation and special
accommodations beforehand. We will endeavor to create solutions as circumstances permit.
Prerequisites and co-requisities None
Course Coordinator None
Name of Lecturers Asist Prof.Dr. Ayşe Kaya Göktepe
Assistants None
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources Seligman, M. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. New York: Free Press
Frankl, V. (2011). The Unheard Cry for Meaning: Psychotherapy and Humanism. Touchstone
Wood, A. & Johnson, J. (2016). The Wiley Handbook of Positive Clinical Psychology, Wiley.
Seligman, M. (2002). Authentic Happiness. The Free Press.
Seligman, M. (2006). Learned Optimism (3rd ed.). Vintage Books
Csikzsentmihalyi, M. (2008). Flow. Harper Collins.
Arkonaç, S. (2008). Psikolojide İnsan Modelleri ve Yerel İnsan Modellerimiz.nobel
Peseschkian, N. (1987). Positive Psychotherapy: Theory and Practice of a New Method. Springer Nature.
Course Notes Assumed/Required Prior Knowledge: Students require a general background in Psychology as evidenced by the completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. There is no prerequisite.

Course Category
Field %100

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Activities are given in detail in the section of "Assessment Methods and Criteria" and "Workload Calculation"

Assessment Methods and Criteria
In-Term Studies Quantity Percentage
Assignment 2 % 45
Project 1 % 55
Total
3
% 100

 
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration Total Work Load
Course Duration 14 3 42
Assignments 2 10 20
Project 1 5 5
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 2 67

 
Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
1 Demonstrate a deep understanding of the core concepts of Positive Psychology, including well-being, happiness, character strengths, and the importance of positive emotions in human flourishing.
2 Critically analyze and evaluate key Positive Psychology models such as Flow theory, Authentic Happiness, and Learned Optimism, and assess their application in real-world settings.
3 Apply Positive Psychology interventions to enhance resilience, mental health, and well-being, particularly in clinical contexts involving stress, depression, and trauma.
4 Integrate Positive Psychology principles with therapeutic approaches, using techniques from Positive Psychotherapy to address mental health disorders and promote personal growth.
5 Engage in reflective practice to deepen understanding of Positive Psychology concepts, through written reflections and critical thinking exercises.
6 Present and critique recent research in Positive Psychology, evaluating its implications for clinical practice and human flourishing in contemporary society.

 
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 Introduction to Positive Psychology Peterson, 2006 – Chapter 1 Pages 3-24, 25-46
2 Traces of Positive Psychology in the History of Classical and Modern Psychology Arkonaç, S. (2008). Psikolojide İnsan Modelleri ve Yerel İnsan Modellerimiz.nobel
3 New Discussions in Modern Psychology and New Searches in the Definition of Human Being within the Framework of Critical Psychology Seligman, M. (2002). Authentic Happiness. The Free Press.
4 Positive communication skills, awareness, motivation, perseverance, and attempts at compromise in the process of knowing oneself VALUES and virtues Seligman, M. (2002). Authentic Happiness. The Free Press.
5 Open-mindedness model within the framework of Flow theory Csikzsentmihalyi, M. (2008). Flow. Harper Collins.
6 Positive thinking model that will strengthen the spiritual and mental structure, optimism Seligman, M. (2006). Learned Optimism (3rd ed.). Vintage Books (part I and part III)
7 MIDTERM week
8 Positive psychology elements with a positive psychotherapeutic approach to the stressed (depressed) individual of the modern world Seligman, M. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. Free Press (selected chapters) Ch. 1-5 Flourish
9 Creating a sense of psychic security, psychological resilience and post-traumatic development with the Psychic protection model, which is a synthesis of classical spiritual and modern psychology approaches Seligman, M. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. Free Press (selected chapters) Ch. 6-10 Flourish
10 Positive psychology in terms of the Search for Meaning on Self-Realization Frankl, V. (2011). The Unheard Cry for Meaning: Psychotherapy and Humanism. Touchstone
11 Theoretical framework of positive psychotherapy Positive psychotherapy in action Peseschkian, N. (1987). Positive Psychotherapy: Theory and Practice of a New Method. Springer Nature.Ch. 1-2-3-4 Peseschkian, N. (1987). Positive Psychotherapy: Theory and Practice of a New Method. Springer Nature.Nossrat Peseschkian Ch. 5-6-7
12 Clinical Positive Psychology in practice, disorders within the framework of positive psychology Wood, A. & Johnson, J. (2016). The Wiley Handbook of Positive Clinical Psychology, Wiley. Positive clinical psychology (part I, III)
13 Positive psychology interventions in clinical practice Wood, A. & Johnson, J. (2016). The Wiley Handbook of Positive Clinical Psychology, Wiley. Positive clinical psychology (part IV)
14 Presentation of final papers, critical overview of recent literature of positive psychology

 
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9
All 5 4 4 2 5 5 3 4 5
C1 5 4 4 2 5 5 3 4 5
C2 5 4 4 2 5 5 3 4 5
C3 4 4 4 2 5 5 3 5 5
C4 5 4 4 2 5 5 3 5 5
C5
C6

  Contribution: 1: Very Slight 2:Slight 3:Moderate 4:Significant 5:Very Significant

  
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