Positive Psychology Retreats: Four Positive Psychology Concepts for a Retreat Format

This paper builds on previous research and field experience to describe four primary positive psychology concepts that can be applied in a retreat format. The paper first proposes a new model of positive psychology that distinguishes pathways towards happiness from levels of happiness. From this concept the paper explores how one can gain more meaning and engagement in their lives through identifying and increasing self-efficacy in their character strengths. It also explores how participants can then learn how to focus their attention on opportunities to use their character strengths to flourish. Finally, it proposes that by learning the skills of resilience and seeing one’s life in the form of a narrative participant, will gain a perspective that will enable them to grow from past adversities/success, savor present adversities/successes and approach future/adversities with a spirit of meaning and engagement. These concepts can be applied in various settings but the paper provides research as to why a retreat format might be the ideal environment for the application of these, or any other potential positive psychology concepts.