12 Positive Psychology Coaching Certification & Trainings

The professional world of coaching has exploded in the last few years.

Now more than ever, people are seeing the benefits of seeking out the right levels of support to help them fulfill their personal and professional goals.

Coaches are a big part of that, and no matter what your goals or aspirations might be, there’s bound to be a coach to help support you in the right targeted ways.

Within coaching, many of us will be aware that you can seek out someone specializing in a specific area. Life coaching, sports coaching, business coaching, and relationship coaching are just a few examples. What you might not be aware of is that different coaches can also follow specific methods or models of coaching.

If you’re in the process of becoming a coach, it can be useful to align yourself with a model that speaks to you as a professional.

One such model that is proving very popular is positive psychology coaching.

Before you read on, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free. These science-based exercises explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology, including strengths, values, and self-compassion, and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students, or employees.

What Is Positive Psychology Coaching?

A popular definition of positive psychology coaching is the following:

Positive psychology coaching (PPC) is a scientifically rooted approach to helping clients increase wellbeing, enhance and apply strengths, improve performance, and achieve valued goals. At the core of PPC is a belief in the power of science to elucidate the best [methods for development].

Kauffman, Boniwell, and Silberman, 2010, p. 158

Positive psychology is backed by a vast body of professional research, meaning that a coaching model based on positive psychology concepts can offer a more structured and reliable approach to supporting individuals to achieve their goals.

Within positive psychology, there is also a multitude of assessments, resources, tools, and feedback models that can help a coach to build a highly tailored, structured coaching journey that is backed up with measurable evidence.

Developing an understanding of negative thoughts and behaviors versus positive thoughts and behaviors, and understanding which are needed to achieve goals and objectives is at the heart of positive psychology coaching. Positive psychology as a model offers coaches in this field the insights and tools to help their clients identify what’s needed  – more positivity or more negativity – and the ‘right’ forms of each.

Positive psychology coaching also assists clients in exploring their values, strengths, weaknesses, resilience, and resourcefulness. Backed with the tools and resources developed through positive psychology, coaches that utilize this model can quickly and accurately help clients achieve results.

Such a coach will be able to offer more precision around specific goals and their related areas. In turn, this will help clients be more focused on making the changes needed to achieve their desired objectives.

5 Benefits of Positive Psychology Coaching

Positive Psychology Coaching allows individuals the time and commitment to tackle areas of life they feel they need help with, in structured and proactive ways (Moore, Jackson, & Tschannen-Moran, 2016).

Having someone equipped with the right tools and exercises can lead clients to great results.

Below are five benefits that have been associated with positive psychology coaching.

1. Improvement in desired performance and goals

Coaching has been linked to improvement in achieving desired performance and goals, both for individuals and groups (Losch, Traut-Mattausch, Mühlberger, & Jonas, 2016).

Coaching offers individuals the opportunity to explore and develop clarity over what they want to achieve, as well as their short- and long-term goals.

Through utilizing several positive psychology resources, individuals can hone in on their goals and with their coach, build a regular practice of thoughts and behaviors that help move toward achieving them.

2. Increased openness to personal development

On some level, many people are aware of particular sets of behavior or thought processes that hold them back, but taking the time to uncover, explore, and reassess these is difficult. Positive psychology coaching offers individuals the tools and methods needed to explore the areas to work on and to forge forward with the positive changes they want to see.

Positive psychology coaching as a model aims to help individuals accept all parts of themselves and develop the understanding that ‘negative’ thoughts and behaviors also serve a strong purpose. It helps them to remain open to exploring their pathway for personal development, where no part of them is seen as inherently ‘bad.’

3. Developed ability to identify positive solutions

In many models of therapy, conversations tend to focus on trauma, conflict, or negative emotions. While all of this is valid and a part of life for many, it can be difficult in the process of these conversations to identify more positive emotions and solutions.

One component of positive psychology coaching taken from positive psychology is strength coaching (Kauffman, 2006). This process encourages individuals to identify one of their top strengths and to use it every day, especially in the face of challenges.

Just like an athlete needs to keep building their muscles to improve strength, continually flexing emotional strength helps individuals to develop better frameworks for a positive resolution in the face of daily challenges.

4. A greater sense of ownership over self

A core component of positive psychology coaching is the focus on ‘building what’s strong’ rather than ‘fixing what’s wrong’ (Seligman, 2006). This can be a very empowering approach for individuals who perhaps get stuck in ruminating circles, focusing only on negative experiences or emotions and finding it challenging to cultivate more positive ways of approaching challenges.

Through positive psychology coaching, individuals begin to learn self-acceptance for all parts of themselves, turning inward for personal strengths to overcome past hurts or current negative experiences. This can help individuals realize they have many innate gifts they can tap into and puts them firmly back in control of how they think, act, and respond.

5. Improved self-awareness for strengths and weaknesses

With a clearer focus on positive strengths and attributes, positive psychology has sought to formalize how to talk about positive characteristics and strengths. This formalization of strengths vocabulary is included in a core textbook: Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification (Seligman & Peterson, 2004).

The book contains 24 defined character strengths, such as zest and curiosity, categorized into 6 core virtues: courage, justice, humanity, temperance, wisdom, and transcendence.

Positive psychology coaching utilizes these classifications of character strengths to help individuals build their awareness of their personal strengths and weaknesses that help them to thrive.

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What Are the Opportunities for Certification?

Like most coaching, there are multiple opportunities for becoming certified as a positive psychology coach. Whether you’ve been practicing as a coach for a while or entirely new to this exciting career path, it’s important to make sure you do your research on the different programs available.

Below are four things to consider when weighing up the different opportunities to make sure you find the right option for you.

1. Decide how you want to learn

Some programs will be offered entirely online, some might be available in a more traditional classroom-style learning environment, and others still might be a combination of both.

Knowing how you like to learn is crucial when deciding on a new program. Many online programs understand that peer-to-peer interaction is vital for engagement and will offer multiple ways for happy students to get connected and speak to one another, but not all programs will.

Make sure you look into this if you know having a motivational class group to support you is crucial for your learning journey.

2. Check how the program is accredited

Another important consideration is how the program is accredited. There are a lot of online courses that offer a great learning experience but aren’t accredited by any professional organizations.

If you’re invested in pursuing this as a career path, ensuring all training and development are accredited will give your learning the stamp of approval it needs. Accredited programs and certifications can also help clients to feel confident in you and your commitment to supporting them.

As non-accredited courses tend to be slightly cheaper, if you’re undecided about pursuing this as a full-time career, a non-accredited short course can be a great way to learn more about the area and make decisions for further investments if you feel it’s right for you.

3. Check out reviews

The next step when you’ve found a program that looks right for you is to check out some of the reviews. If you can, speak to a few students who have already studied or are currently studying the program to help you build a robust sense of what to expect and uncover anything bad you might want to know before enrolling.

This step can help you make a more concrete decision before starting a new program and give you the reassurance that the learning experience aligns with what might be presented through their online marketing.

4. Explore the content

Within some coaching certifications, there can be a lot of cross-overs and duplicate content, which is fine if you’re new to studying the area. If you’re already a qualified coach, you might want to ensure you’re not doubling up on areas of knowledge you’ve developed or studied elsewhere.

Many providers will allow you to preview snippets of the program content and let you know the overall program outline, including the subject titles you’ll be studying.

If you see a few topics you’re already well rehearsed in and don’t want to repeat, you could ask to apply for credits from recognized prior learning through your previous studies. This is a great way to keep focused on the new and relevant content for you rather than losing motivation through studying things you already know.

6 PositivePsychology.com Coaching Masterclasses

If you’re looking to take your positive psychology coaching practice to the next level, PositivePsychology.com offers masterclasses across a range of insightful topics, all of which are backed by scientific research.

These masterclasses contain a variety of group and one-on-one materials, including workbooks, slide decks, and live video recordings that will save you time and give you the tools to better serve your clients.

All courses come with a money-back guarantee and extended usage rights to use the materials under your own brand, logo, and name, saving you work developing your own materials.

1. Maximizing Strengths

In our Maximizing Strengths Coaching Masterclass, you’ll draw on the intuitive sailboat metaphor to help your clients recognize their potential and leverage their unique strengths across six modules.

To begin, you’ll discover the fundamentals of strength-based practice, rooted in second-wave positive psychology. You will also develop a deep insight into the notion of strengths and how they interact with weaknesses and learned behavior.

You will then learn to guide your clients through a series of tools to develop their strength awareness and strength mindset.

Finally, you will complete the course with an exploration of the long-term benefits of strengths and discover strategies to help your clients enact lasting change through their strengths.

Contents:

✓ Live recordings of the Maximizing Strengths Masterclass
✓ Practitioner handbook (ebook)
✓ Workbook including 17 exercises for your participants
✓ Train-the-trainer videos for each lesson (19 videos)
✓ Community section to interact with fellow practitioners
✓ 19 PowerPoint presentations for teaching and workshops
✓ Recommended books, articles, movies, videos, and quotes
✓ Lifetime updates, dedicated support

Bonus 1: Earn a certificate of completion
Bonus 2: Second-wave positive psychology module
Bonus 3: Extended usage rights

Delivery method: Online
Length of study: Self-paced
Enrollment: Available anytime

2. Meaning & Valued Living

Help your clients find meaning and discover their values with our Meaning & Valued Living Coaching Masterclass. In this three-module masterclass, you’ll gain the skills to help your clients grappling with existential concerns to find new meaning in their lives.

In the first module, you’ll be given an intuitive metaphor and coaching method that enables you to apply positive psychology principles in practice.

Next, you’ll gain clarity around the notion of meaning, as well as a range of practical tools to help your clients measure and increase the sense of purpose in their lives.

Finally, the topic of values will be covered, and you will be provided with practical exercises to help your clients identify and live in their values.

Contents:

✓ Live recordings of the Meaning & Valued Living Masterclass
✓ Science-backed handbook and implementation advice (173-page PDF)
✓ Printable workbook with practical exercises
✓ 230+ Professional PowerPoint slides (with easy customization)
✓ 65+ Custom illustrations
✓ Recommended books, articles, movies, videos, and quotes
✓ Ask questions and get professional advice
✓ Audio and video guide to teaching this masterclass yourself

Bonus 1: Second-wave positive psychology module
Bonus 2: Extended usage rights
Bonus 3: 17 Practical exercises (valued at $97)

Delivery method: Online
Length of study: Self-paced
Enrollment: Available anytime

3. Realizing Resilience

Show your clients how to navigate the challenges in their lives with poise and resilience. In this six-module Realizing Resilience Coaching Masterclass, you’ll learn science-backed tips to help your clients bounce back from adverse events and improve their overall wellbeing.

You’ll start by developing insight into the darker side of the human experience and the role of resilience as a buffer against the adverse effects of negative life events.

After that, you’ll learn about the important role of attention and appraisals as factors that can enhance individual resilience.

Finally, you’ll be shown how to teach effective coping through action and motivation.

Contents:

✓ Live recordings of the Realize Resilience Masterclass
✓ Practitioner handbook (ebook)
✓ Workbook including 14 exercises for your participants
✓ Train-the-trainer videos for each lesson (19 videos)
✓ Community section to interact with fellow practitioners
✓ 19 PowerPoint presentations for teaching and workshops
✓ Recommended books, articles, movies, videos, and quotes
✓ Lifetime updates, dedicated support

Bonus 1: Earn a certificate of completion
Bonus 2: Extended usage rights

Delivery method: Online
Length of study: Self-paced
Enrollment: Available anytime

4. Emotional Intelligence

In the six-module Emotional Intelligence Coaching Masterclass, you’ll learn to teach your clients one of the most fundamental skills for an enriched life: emotional intelligence (EQ).

In this masterclass, you’ll start by learning about the interplay between physical and mental experiences of emotions and get an overview of research findings on EQ.

Next, you’ll gain the skills to help your clients tune in to how they feel as a source of information and develop healthy beliefs about the experience of positive and negative emotions.

Finally, you’ll discover how emotions can serve as a powerful guiding force about needs and values, and gain practical tools to help your clients strengthen their emotional expression.

Contents:

✓ Live recordings of the Emotional Intelligence Masterclass
✓ Practitioner handbook (ebook)
✓ Workbook including 17 exercises for your participants
✓ Train-the-trainer videos for each lesson (20 videos)
✓ Community section to interact with fellow practitioners
✓ 20 PowerPoint presentations for teaching and workshops
✓ Recommended books, articles, movies, videos, and quotes
✓ Lifetime updates, dedicated support

Bonus 1: Earn a certificate of completion
Bonus 2: Second-wave positive psychology module
Bonus 3: Extended usage rights

Delivery method: Online
Length of study: Self-paced
Enrollment: Available anytime

5. Science of Self-Acceptance

Help your clients find self-esteem in the right places with the Science of Self-Acceptance Coaching Masterclass. In this masterclass, you’ll gain the tools to help your clients understand that they are not defined by their failures or external standards, and that they are worthy of love and acceptance.

This science-based masterclass is built on three pillars that will position you to translate the lessons of this class to your clients.

First, you’ll discover how the science of self-acceptance fits into the broader field of second-wave positive psychology.

Secondly, the masterclass will cover the language and metaphors to communicate the principals of self-acceptance to your clients.

Thirdly, you’ll be given hands-on tools to help you identify the right treatment approach for your clients and create an action plan to put self-acceptance theory into practice.

Contents:

✓ Live recordings of the Science of Self-Acceptance Masterclass (8 modules)
✓ Audio files so you can follow the masterclass during your daily activities
✓ Printable workbook for your clients, students, or employees
✓ 200+ Professional PowerPoint slides for teaching and consulting
✓ Tools & exercises for practically applying self-acceptance
✓ Recommended books, articles, movies, videos, and quotes
✓ Train-the-trainer video course
✓ 100+ Custom illustrations to use in your own work
✓ Lifetime access and updates to the course & all supporting materials
✓ Ability to ask questions and get expert advice
✓ Science-based handbook and implementation advice (177-page ebook)

Bonus 1: The Psychology of “The Self”
Bonus 2: Extended usage rights

Delivery method: Online
Length of study: Self-paced
Enrollment: Available anytime

6. Positive Relationships

Give your clients the tools to develop healthy relationships and strengthen mental wellbeing. In this six-module Positive Relationships Coaching Masterclass, you’ll understand how to teach the key principles of relationships that foster human flourishing and strengthen social ties.

You’ll start by learning the science of social networks and relationships, rooted in second-wave positive psychology.

Next, you’ll gain the skills to help your clients direct attention toward their social networks and develop healthy beliefs about the role of relationships in their lives.

To conclude, you’ll learn the science of what motivates investment in both positive and negative relationships, and get the tools to train your clients in effective relationship management.

Contents:

✓ 23 Live video recordings of the masterclass sessions
✓ Science-based handbook and implementation advice (142-page ebook)
✓ Workbook with 15 tools and exercises
✓ 230+ Professional PowerPoint slides (with easy customization)
✓ 45+ Custom illustrations to use for your own teaching
✓ Lifetime access, free updates, and dedicated support
✓ A community to interact with fellow practitioners
✓ Recommended books, articles, movies, videos, and quotes
✓ Train-the-trainer video course (23 videos)

Bonus 1: Earn a certificate of completion
Bonus 2: Extended usage rights

Delivery method: Online
Length of study: Self-paced
Enrollment: Available anytime

6 Positive Psychology Coaching Training Programs

There are many different opportunities to train and gain qualifications in positive psychology coaching.

Below I’ve explored six different options that are accredited and seem to offer the most in-depth and valuable content.

This list is not exhaustive though, and there are positive psychology courses and training programs across the globe that offer rewarding learning experiences. Use the list below as a starting point to begin exploring, and if one of them doesn’t speak to you, continue your research to find a program that does.

1. Positive Psychology Practitioner & Coach Diploma (Level 5) with Psychology Network

Delivered in partnership with Bucks New University, the Positive Psychology Practitioner & Coach Diploma program is a great learning gateway into the field of positive psychology coaching for those who are new to the field as well as established coaches.

The teaching material is focused on supporting learners who want to use positive psychology in coaching, training, and facilitation and seek to help learners put positive psychology concepts into practice.

This program is also aligned with the Masters of Applied Positive Psychology degree for those wanting to take their education to the next level.

Delivery method: Online
Length of study: Between 6 and 12 months, depending on the learner
Enrollment: Available anytime; self-paced learning

2. Positive Psychology Coaching Fundamentals with the Wholebeing Institute

The Positive Psychology Coaching Fundamentals is a  unique program that offers learners the option to sign up for all modules involved in certification or to sign up for modules one at a time.

Module topics include:

• Positive Psychology Coaching Fundamentals
• Positive Psychology Coaching Skill Building
• Building a Thriving Coaching Business
• Positive Psychology Coaching Mentorship

The Wholebeing Institute delivers the program and also involves some topics that have been developed explicitly by them, including an introduction to wholebeing happiness.

Delivery method: Online, with some modules available as week-long intensives onsite at their center in Massachusetts
Length of study: Between 12 and 18 months depending on the learner and the modules they choose to complete
Enrollment: Available anytime for online study, but check the website for week-long intensive dates if this is the study route you would prefer.

3. Certified Positive Psychology Coach with Mentor Coach LLC

The Certified Positive Psychology Coach program provides a more structured pathway for anyone seeking to become certified as a positive psychology coach. It offers three different routes for certification, depending on your previous experience and qualifications.

At the core of each pathway is their Positive Psychology Coaching Masterclass, comprising 5 modules that take 52 hours in total to complete. It also includes an exam on the concepts, and you must provide evidence of at least 40 hours of coaching with clients to attain full professional membership.

Delivery method: Online
Length of study: Masterclass takes 52 hours to complete, plus exam and 40 hours of evidenced coaching
Enrollment: Available anytime; self-paced study

4. Positive Psychology Practitioner Training with the School of Positive Transformation

This training pathway refers to itself as an ‘applied’ program, meaning it has a strong focus on providing you with practical and actionable resources and learning material.

It focuses on some of the critical areas of positive psychology, including:

• Positive relationships
• Positive emotions
• Love
• Positive mindfulness
• Positive organizations
• Science of happiness
• Positive education
• Positive coaching
• Meaning and purpose
• Power of strengths
• Everyday heroes
• Positive health
• Altruism

The course is made up of 12 modules, each delivered over a month through a mixture of online delivery, including live webinars, homework, and assessments. It is accredited as part of the Continuing Professional Development Institute.

Delivery method: Online
Length of study: 12 months
Enrollment: Available anytime; self-paced study

5. Certified Positive Psychology Coach Program with the School of Coaching Mastery

The Certified Positive Psychology Coach Program is split into two parts. Part one is more focused on introductory concepts and techniques and is geared toward new coaches starting in the industry. Part two is more in depth and geared toward individuals who already have some coaching practice or certification behind them.

The course is fully accredited by the International Coach Federation and mixes online study with individual tasks and assessments, as well as coaching practice.

Part one is shorter and designed to be completed in blocks; individuals can work through these at their own pace. Part two is spread out across 12 months.

Delivery method: Online
Length of study: Between 12 and 18 months, depending on the learner and their coaching background
Enrollment: Available anytime; self-paced study

6. Certificate of Applied Positive Psychology with the Flourishing Center

This program differs slightly from the others. In addition to exploring positive psychology concepts, it also provides a practical look at utilizing these concepts through coaching specifically for health and wellbeing. The program is made up of six core modules that focus on positivity, engagement, relationships, meaning, achievement, and vitality (PERMA-V™).

The training is highly structured, with the program available for in-person (classroom) study available across five states in the U.S. and Canada, as well as an online option. The program is also fully accredited by the ICF, and the Flourishing Center is approved for course delivery by the American Psychological Association.

Delivery method: In-person (programs available in New York, Chicago, Washington, and Toronto) or online
Length of study: Six months for in-person delivery and nine months for online delivery
Enrollment: Available anytime for the online study, but check the website for in-person study as these vary throughout the year.

Read here for much more information on Applied Positive Psychology.

How Long Does It Take to Become Qualified?

Becoming qualified will depend on your commitment and the course you choose to study, as well as the study method.

Most of the accredited courses available take roughly 12 months to complete, with various modules and topics covered in that time. Some online courses allow you to work through the content entirely at your own pace, meaning you can finish it more quickly or take longer, depending on your personal time commitments and preference for learning.

Non-accredited courses are available spanning a variety of timeframes, from as little as a two or four-week commitment to three months or six months. Some of these courses will be very light and provide a more generalized overview of positive psychology coaching or might focus on one specific component of the coaching module, for example, positive psychology coaching for happiness.

The Positive Psychology Coaching in Practice Book

Those seeking to increase their knowledge and engagement with the positive psychology coaching model might also be interested in this book.

Positive Psychology Coaching in Practice (Green & Palmer, 2018) provides an in-depth and comprehensive overview of how positive psychology concepts, tools, and resources can be utilized within the coaching relationship.

It brings together multiple international professionals who share their guidance, experience, and advice, alongside empirical evidence and research about the positive benefits of positive psychology coaching.

Beginning with a brief introduction to positive psychology, the book also examines several theories of wellbeing, including mindfulness, relevant neuroscience, and a review of a strengths-based coaching approach.

Additional chapters include the application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, the role of positive psychology for wellness, resilience coaching, positive leadership theory, and developmental psychology theory for coaching. Each chapter explores the relevant theory alongside current research and how it could be applied through a positive psychology coaching practice.

The book concludes with thoughts on the potential future of positive psychology coaching and possible areas for further research.

Available on Amazon.

A Take-Home Message

I hope after reading this article, you’ll have a greater sense of what it means to become a qualified positive psychology coach. If you’re considering pursuing this as a pathway for yourself, I hope it may have also helped you to make a few decisions about how to do that.

Becoming a positive psychology coach might sound exciting and enjoyable – and it definitely is – but it’s also something that shouldn’t be undertaken lightly. People who seek out the support of a coach are often at a crossroads in their life, and as their coach, you have a real opportunity to help them move forward in positive ways.

When seeking to become a qualified coach, it’s worth exploring what your motivations are and how these will help you to make a positive difference within your local and broader community.

Have you undertaken any coaching certification, for positive psychology or otherwise? How did you find it? What were some of your key learning points? What advice do you have for others seeking out new learning options?

I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free.