Tim LeBon's Newsletter - Positive Psychology & Stoicism, Interview & new Courses

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Tim LeBon's Newsletter: Wise Living

October is a always a busy time for me - lots of courses running and, for the last couple of years, preparing for  Stoic week in November.  In this Newsletter you'll find  a recent interview first published on Shona Lockhart's Happiness Experiment blog in which I answer some searching questions about Positive Psychology and my recent book. I'm enthusiastic about the potential for psychology to help us live well. At the same time I firmly believe practical philosophy has an important role. In an article first published on the Stoicism Today site, I argue that Stoicism can help us be wiser. By conducting empirical research on the impact Stoicism has on us, we can also find out if it can make us happier as well. The initial evidence is certainly encouraging.   There are still a few places left in  my Thursday evening Positive Psychology course at City  Uni - starting Thursday Oct 2nd - so apply soon if you are interested.   You can read more articles on my Socrates Satisfied blog, including weekly tips about how to Achieve your potential using Positive Psychology. Follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | Forward to a friend Interview by Shona Lockart from her Happiness Experiment blog Achieving your potential with positive psychology SEPTEMBER 19, 2014cbt, Ed DIener, PERMA, positive psychology, Richard Layard, Seligman Today's blog post features an interview with Tim LeBon, whose lectures made me finally put in to practice what I had been reading about the science of positive psychology. As well as being a registered psychotherapist, Tim runs a popular 10 week introductory course to positive psychology at City university, starting in October which I would highly recommend.  Tim has recently published a new book on how you can use positive psychology to achieve your potential and although I have read numerous books on the subject this is a welcome addition to my positive psychology library. As Tim has particular interests in CBT and philosophy, his new book includes chapters on these subjects and he addresses how to take a wise approach to the application of positive psychology as well as writing a very clear chapter by chapter explanation, with case studies, on what positive psychology is all about.  Enjoy the interview. 1. What prompted you to write your new book Achieve Your Potential with Positive Psychology?  I've been teaching Positive Psychology and using it in my work with clients for a number of years now with positive results. I wanted to write a book to sum up all I've learnt and make it available to a wider audience. 2. Who is the book aimed at? Its aimed at the general public – anyone who is interested in discovering what psychology has to teach us about how to live well. I've tried to make the book "as simple as possible, but not simpler". The tried-and-tested Teach Yourself format is a great help here. The structure ensures there are lots of practical examples and summaries of the main points, yet also room for reflection, for example on areas where Positive Psychology is open to criticism. 3. Positive Psychology is a broad field. What elements does your book focus on in particular? I define Positive Psychology as "the science of well-being" and what's in the book follows from that definition. Since well-being involves having less of the negative in life as well more of the positive, I include 2 chapters on resilience – more than is customary in Positive Psychology books One chapter describes CBT, which in a way is my specialty since it what I practice in my NHS work as a psychotherapist, and the other is on third-wave CBT and mindfulness. Practical Philosophy is another focus. I argue that wisdom is an essential part of well-being. We need to find a wise balance between feeling good, doing good and being good. we need to be wise in how we use our strengths … and so on. For this reason there is a whole chapter devoted to wisdom. A key theme of the book is that whilst the ideas of Positive Psychology as proposed by Seligman can help us be wiser, Positive Psychology can become wiser still when it incorporates ideas from ancient philosophers such as Aristotle and the Stoics and existentialist thinkers such as Frankl. I should add that the book also covers the areas usually addressed in Positive Psychology primers. Five chapters are structured around Seligman's PERMA theory of flourishing. There is a chapter on each of Seligman's 5 elements of well-being – positive emotions, engagement (flow), positive relationships, meaning and purpose and achievement, with tips on how to increase each and case studies illustrating this. There is also a chapter on strengths and on Positive Psychology in Practice. 4. What is your definition of flourishing? PERMA informed by wisdom. Read the complete interview at http://thehappinessexperiment.co.uk/achieving-your-potential-with-positive-psychology/     Does Stoicism Work? Stoicism & Positive Psychology Tim LeBon Introduction: Stoicism isn't just a theory, it is also a set of practices aimed at helping people to lead better lives. A key question is whether Stoic practices work – does practising Stoicism actually help people? Psychology and its scientific methods is the obvious place to turn to help answer this question. In this article, I will describe the work of the Stoicism Today team to use the methods of psychology to begin to answer the "Does Stoicism work?" question and suggest directions for future research. The last fifteen years have seen the growth of positivepsychology, a branch of psychology aimed at providing a scientific understanding of what goes well in life and how to enhance it. I will argue that Positive Psychology can become more complete and wiser if it incorporates ideas from Stoicism. Positive Psychology  Since its inception in 1998, Positive Psychology has spawned many experiments, articles, books and conferences. Whilst philosophers and self-help authors have long theorised about what we should do, Positive Psychology now proposes planned activities ("interventions") and tests them scientifically. One way is to ask people to carry out an intervention, measuring their well-being before and after to see its effect. Positive Psychology has already delivered substantial findings, including the following: Happiness and positive emotions such as joy, pride, love and awe don't just feel good, they also have positive consequences such as improved health and increased longevity, creativity and altruism. An important component of well-being is flow, which means being totally absorbed in what you are doing. Flow is distinct from pleasure because when you are absorbed in an activity you don't really feel anything. It is possible to cultivate a number of beneficial positive attitudes. These include hope, optimism, gratitude and a "growth mindset" (i.e. a belief that one's abilities are not fixed). These attitudes have been shown to lead to improved health, better work and academic performance, better self-esteem and greater resilience. A number of beneficial positive behaviours have been identified, including identifying and using your strengths and performing acts of kindness. A number of simple interventions have been shown to bring about increases in well-being in both the short term and at six-month follow up. Conversely some plausible interventions have been shown not to bring about lasting positive change. There is now good evidence that studying Positive Psychology and applying its findings to oneself, to organisations and in education can lead to increased well-being. For a fuller review of Positive Psychology, the interested reader is referred to my new book, Achieve Your Potential with Positive Psychology (Hodder, 2014). Philosophy and Positive Psychology Whilst these developments are very much to be welcomed, there are some importantphilosophical questions to ask Positive Psychology, including: What precisely is well-being and what is the difference between well-being and related terms such as subjective well-being, flourishing, pleasure, enjoyment and happiness? Positive Psychology emphasises feeling good and doing good. What is the place in Positive Psychology for virtue (i.e. being good)? Can positive attitudes and behaviours actually cause harm if they are carried out by someone who lacks virtue? For example, would you want a terrorist to use their strengths? Is, as many ancients thought, wisdom a particularly important virtue?Isn't it important not just to be hopeful and optimistic but to use these qualities wisely? Can practical ideas proposed by philosophers – such as the Stoics and Epicureans – be tested? Could empirically tested philosophical strategies help individuals be virtuous and wiser as well as feeling better and so strengthen Positive Psychology? The remainder of this article will focus on the last two questions. Stoicism Today and Putting Stoicism to the Test Stoicism is a good candidate for inclusion in Positive Psychology both because of its broadly therapeutic intent and the plethora of specific, testable strategies to be found in the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and, particularly, Epictetus. Under the leadership of Professor Christopher Gill based at the University of Exeter, the Stoicism Today team, including the current author, has made a start at putting Stoicism to the test. In this section, I will briefly summarise our findings. For a more detailed account, see LeBon (2014a) In the latest 2013 study, participants, recruited from the general public as well as Stoic interest groups, were provided with a free downloadable booklet featuring Stoic readings and exercises, many of which were available as audio recordings. In addition a blog was maintained and participants were encouraged to communicate with each other using social media. Central to the empirical study was the suggested programme of meditations and exercises for "Stoic week". Each day had a specific Stoic theme, and an early morning and late evening meditation connected the daily theme with more general Stoic ideas. Amongst the suggested exercises were: An early morning meditation, focussing on a Stoic principle such as "focussing only on things under our control", or "rehearsing dealing with possible challenges in the day ahead in a Stoic way". A late evening meditation, reviewing the day in terms of how well one has dealt with challenges in a Stoic way, learning what one has done well but also cultivating the intention to do better the next day. Daily exercises on the following themes: What is in our power?; Stoic self-discipline and simplicity; the Stoic reserve clause; Stoic mindfulness; Emotions and adversity; philanthropy and the View from Above. A Stoic monitoring sheet, helping to cultivate an awareness of what is and what is not in our power. Participants were asked to take various questionnaires assessing well-being and their levels of Stoicism both before and after taking part in Stoic week. Stoicism Today's Testing of Stoicism: The Results Read the complete article at http://blogs.exeter.ac.uk/stoicismtoday/2014/09/08/does-stoicism-work-stoicism-positive-psychology-by-tim-lebon/   2014-15 Workshops and Courses   Upcoming Courses CITY LIT LONDON courses Code Title Start  Date End Date Day Start  Time End Time GLH   PC408 Introduction to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) Sat, 04/10/2014 Sat, 04/10/2014 Sat 10:30 17:30 6  (sorry, course now full) PG646 Personal development through philosophy Sat, 01/11/2014 Sat, 01/11/2014 Sat 10:30 17:30 6 PG614 Habits of highly effective living Fri, 07/11/2014 Fri, 14/11/2014 Fri 18:30 21:30 6 PG658 Positive psychology and happiness Sat, 22/11/2014 Sat, 22/11/2014 Sat 10:30 17:30 6 CITY UNIVERSITY, LONDON courses POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY  10 week course   Course Information Start Date Start Time Duration Cost Course Code Apply Thursday 2 October 2014 18:30 - 20:30 10 weekly classes £395.00 CS1941 Apply Now For full details click here  Psychotherapy, Counselling & Coaching Availability Update I currently have a few slots avail able for coaching, counselling  or psychotherapy in Central London  on Thursdays and Fridays or from the comfort of your own living room via Skype. E-mail me at tim@timlebon.com if you are interested. Feel free to forward this Newsletter to anyone else who may benefit from it. Live Happily and Wisely Tim   Follow Tim LeBon on Twitter Read Tim's Socrates Satisfied Blog

follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © Tim LeBon 2014 UKCP registered psychotherapist BABCP accredited CBT therapist Web: http://www.timlebon.com tel: 07931 896857 Books: Wise Therapy  Achieve Your Potential with Positive Psychology Blog: http://blog.timlebon.com Twitter:@timlebon

 New Book Achieve-Your-Potential-Positive-Psychology

http://blog.timlebon.com/2014/06/new-book-achieve-your-potential-with.html

Free newsletter Wise Living

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part-time philsosophy course in cambridge

Its less than one week until the deadline for applications for our 2013/14 programme of part-time University courses in Philosophy here at the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education (ICE).

The closing date for applications for our Certificate, and for the first intake of students onto our Advanced Diploma, is Monday 9 September. (There will be a second intake of students onto the Advanced Diploma in December.)

I hope the information below is of interest, and would be very grateful if you could circulate it to any of your members who may be considering part-time study.

Undergraduate Certificate in Philosophy (Oct 2013 – Jun 2014)

Do you enjoy thinking about the nature of reality, how we should treat one another, what we should believe in, what it is possible for us to know, what distinguishes the meaningful from the meaningless, or what it takes to be a person?

If so, then this part-time, one-year course may well be for you. No previous experience in the subject is necessary. The course will introduce some central topics in three areas: Metaphysics, Logic and the Philosophy of Language, and Ethics. As a student, you will develop your ability to think carefully and rigorously about the questions raised, and the answers which have been proposed.

The course is taught at first-year undergraduate level, and is equivalent to half a year of full-time study. Teaching consists of weekly evening classes (Mondays) at Madingley Hall, an historic 16th-century country house on the outskirts of Cambridge. The course fee is £1,500, payable in three instalments.

Visit www.ice.cam.ac.uk/philosophy-certificate to find out more and apply online.

Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Philosophy (Nov 2013 – Apr 2015)

The Advanced Diploma is taught part-time over two years, and allows you to pursue your own research project with individual guidance from a Cambridge supervisor. It provides an excellent foundation in research methods for anyone wishing to pursue further study, and is open to all who can demonstrate previous experience in Philosophy or a related discipline at an advanced level.

As part of the application process you will need to submit a research proposal. Is there a particular research question you have in mind? Is there a particular theory you want to explore? Or a particular philosopher whose views you especially want to examine? Do you have some initial ideas about what you can bring to the debate? What relevant existing work have you identified? To discuss your research topic with the Course Director, Dr Emily Caddick Bourne, before application, please email Emily.CaddickBourne@ice.cam.ac.uk.

The teaching format, requiring just seven visits to Cambridge over a two-year period, makes it accessible to students from across the UK and beyond. The course is taught and awarded at third-year undergraduate level and the fee is £2,200, payable in six instalments.

Visit www.ice.cam.ac.uk/philosophy-advdip to find out more and apply online.

Bursaries and student loans

As in previous years, we are offering a number of bursaries to self-financing students. Applicants who are new to higher education, new to ICE, or who are state-funded teachers will be eligible to apply for a bursary. Those who are studying for their first university qualification may also have access to part-time student loans.

Remember: the deadline for applications for the Certificate, and for the first intake of students onto the Advanced Diploma, is Monday9 September.

Relationships A Mindfulness and Existential Therapy Approach Guildford September 2013 (Saturdays)

Relationships A Mindfulness and Existential Therapy Approach
by Jyoti Nanda CPsychol, BPS, HPC, UKCP, MBACP (Snr Accred)

 Venue: Guildford Institute, Ward Street, Guildford, GU1 4LH
 To book or for information email: jyoti@mindfultherapy.co.uk
 CPD 24 hrs for full attendance
 Fee £305 (students £280)
 Dates: 4 consecutive Saturdays
7, 14, 21, 28 Sept 2013 from 10 am – 5 pm

When couples come for therapy, both agree they are in conflict. According to Sartre, conflict is a given of existence. However, we are free to choose how we respond to conflict. From an existential perspective, practising mindfulness is a choice.

This workshop draws from my recent publication on Mindful Relationships published by Routledge.
Participants will practice and explore mindfulness not only in the context of individual practice, but also in the context of relationship therapy.

‘Mindfulness is a simple yet powerful practice. It has the possibility of transforming relationships. It cultivates some foundational attitudes towards one’s self and others. It gives rise to non-judgmental awareness of arising experience, acceptance, presence, openness, spaciousness, letting go, empathy, calmness. It is also a practice of awakening the heart to loving-kindness and compassion for self and others … Mindfulness is offered through the lens of an existential therapeutic perspective which values the uniqueness of every client and every couple relationship. It acknowledges choice and responsibility and the possibilities of relational transformation within the givens of each unique context.’


Past participants’ experiences of other courses run by Jyoti Nanda
 “…On both a personal and professional level this programme has been one of the best pieces of self development I have ever received.” – Murray Thomas (Executive Coach and Leadership Consultant, Director of Changeability Consulting Ltd)
 “Excellent and very enjoyable…it has changed my life and outlook on life tremendously and I am so glad that I came onto the course.” – Christalla Papanastasiou (Psychotherapist)
 “… I was unsure how existential therapy would be linked in with mindfulness but Jyoti did this extremely well...”



Jyoti Nanda is a Chartered Psychologist, an Associate Fellow of the BPS and Existential Psychotherapist, Coach, Supervisor, and Mediator. She teaches Mindfulness and Existential Therapy and is in Private Practice. A long-term practitioner of meditation, Jyoti’s published work focuses on an Embodied Integration of Mindfulness and Existential Therapy. Registrations with BPS, HPCP, UKCP, BACP, BSCH

To book email: jyoti@mindfultherapy.co.uk www.mindfultherapy.co.uk

Existential Perspectives on Coaching

There is still a chance to book your place at the official launch of:

Existential Perspectives on Coaching

edited by Emmy van Deurzen and Monica Hanaway

1st June 2012

Starts 5.30pm till 7.30 pm

NSPC 254-256 Belsize Road London  NW6 4BT

Belsize Road is in South Hampstead, between St. John's Wood and Maida Vale.

Kilburn Park tube station (Bakerloo) is 5 minutes walk away, and West Hampstead (Jubilee Line) is 15 minutes away.  A Silver Link metro station (overground rail) is across the road from the building  with a direct connection to Euston station.

The editors and chapter authors will be presenting their ideas from the book.

Palgrave Macmillan and NSPC will cohost a launch party with wine and nibbles

There will be a book signing session and opportunity to buy the book at a reduced rate.

Please reserve your places for the session by calling the office on 020 76240471 

Table of Contents

Foreword; E.van Deurzen & M.Hanaway
PART I: THE PHILOSOPHICAL AND ETHICAL FRAMEWORK OF EXISTENTIAL COACHING
The Existential Ideology and Framework in Coaching; E.van Deurzen
The Importance of Authenticity in Existential Coaching; M.Mandic
Paradox in Existential Coaching; M.Hanaway
PART II: EXISTENTIAL COACHING IN DIFFERENT CONTEXTS
Existential Coaching and Wise Decision Making; T.LeBon & D.ArnaudCareer Planning as a Life-changing Event Using an Existential Viewpoint; D.PullingerCoaching Leaders from an Existential Perspective; A.JoplingConflict Coaching Using an Existential Approach; M.HanawayThe Application of Existential Ideas for More Effective Coaching in the Workplace; J.Lewis
PART III: BRINGING AN EXISTENTIAL APPROACH TO OTHER THEORETICAL COACHING MODELS
Let Your Body be Your Coach - An Experiential-existential Approach to Embodied Coaching Practice; G.MadisonExistential Coaching First, NLP Second; J.ReedExistentialism and Attachment - Making Meaning With Our Clients; D.FraserExistential Coaching Using Psychometrics; D.Pringle
The Role of CBT in Existential Coaching; D.MireaMindfulness Based Existential Coaching; J.Nanda


Buy from amazon.co.uk

Recommended Mindfulness Seminars 2011 in London and Guildford

Mindfulness Seminars 2011

by Jyoti Nanda CPsychol, BPS/HPC, UKCP, MBACP (Snr. Accred)

Mindfulness – Nourishing the Domain of Being

 In Central London.  CPD 24 hrs

Date: Sunday 15 May 11 am-6pm, plus six Tuesdays 24, 31 May, 7, 14, 21, 28 June 5.30 – 7.30 pm, and a final Sunday 3 July 11-6 pm in Central London.  Fee: £275 (Students £250)

Breath by Breath – Meeting Suffering with Compassion

In Central London.  CPD 6 hrs

Date: Sunday 19 June 2010, 11am to 6pm in Central London

Fee: £80

Mindfulness and the Therapeutic Relationship 

Date: Saturday 11 June 2010, 10am - 5pm

In Guildford, Surrey.  CPD  6 hrs

Fee: £80

The Therapeutics of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

In Guildford Surrey.  CPD 24 hrs

Dates: Six Saturdays – 8, 15, 22 and 29 October,

12 and 19 November 2010, 10am – 2pm in

Fee: £275 (students £250)

To book email: jyoti.nanda@zen.co.uk

Jyoti Nanda is a  long-term practitioner of meditation in more than one tradition.  She teaches Existential Psychotherapy in London. Her research interest is on the effect of meditation on the ‘being qualities’ of the therapist within the therapeutic relationship. Her published work in peer reviewed journals focuses on an Embodied Integration of Mindfulness and Psychotherapy . Jyoti has trained in teaching Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)  at the Centre for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society, University of Massachusetts Medical School, USA.

www.jyotinanda.co.uk

Certificate in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy February 2011 Central London Dates

Introductory Certificate in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy

Weekend one: 5th - 6th February 2011
Weekend two: 12th - 13th February 2011
Weekend three: 26th - 27th February 2011

Central London venue to be confirmed.

Course Overview

If you're interested in expanding your therapy skills, this is your perfect opportunity to begin training in cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). There's a growing demand for evidence-based psychological therapists using methods such as CBT. This six day introductory certificate course has been specifically designed for people who already work with therapy clients but want to learn more about CBT. The course is delivered by experienced trainers who specialise in CBT: Henry Whitfield, Tim LeBon and Dr. Polly Ashworth. The content of this course is based upon standard core textbooks and contemporary evidence-based practice in CBT. It is mapped against the new National Occupational Standards for CBT, and includes practical classroom training and licensed video material from leading CBT experts such as Beck, Lazarus, Meichenbaum, etc.

   
  This course is approved by the British Psychological Society's Learning Centre for the purposes of Continuing Professional Development. 

Co

Introductory Certificate in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy

Weekend one: 5th - 6th February 2011
Weekend two: 12th - 13th February 2011
Weekend three: 26th - 27th February 2011

Central London venue to be confirmed.

Course Overview

If you're interested in expanding your therapy skills, this is your perfect opportunity to begin training in cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). There's a growing demand for evidence-based psychological therapists using methods such as CBT. This six day introductory certificate course has been specifically designed for people who already work with therapy clients but want to learn more about CBT. The course is delivered by experienced trainers who specialise in CBT: Henry Whitfield, Tim LeBon and Dr. Polly Ashworth. The content of this course is based upon standard core textbooks and contemporary evidence-based practice in CBT. It is mapped against the new National Occupational Standards for CBT, and includes practical classroom training and licensed video material from leading CBT experts such as Beck, Lazarus, Meichenbaum, etc.

   
  This course is approved by the British Psychological Society's Learning Centre for the purposes of Continuing Professional Development. 

Course Structure

This course takes place over three weekends, and you may attend one, two or all three weekends. Practical skills training is emphasised in each class and interwoven with group discussion of CBT theory and concepts. Throughout the course, you will be encouraged to develop your CBT skills through experiential learning and clinical case presentations. Therapeutic demonstrations are also given live and by video. You will also be asked to role-play examples of CBT interventions to develop your core practical skills.

Click here for further information, fees and how to book your place, or call us on 0800 195 9809. The last course was fully booked, so reserve your place soon!

Course Structure

This course takes place over three weekends, and you may attend one, two or all three weekends. Practical skills training is emphasised in each class and interwoven with group discussion of CBT theory and concepts. Throughout the course, you will be encouraged to develop your CBT skills through experiential learning and clinical case presentations. Therapeutic demonstrations are also given live and by video. You will also be asked to role-play examples of CBT interventions to develop your core practical skills.

Click here for further information, fees and how to book your place, or call us on 0800 195 9809. The last course was fully booked, so reserve your place soon!

Positive Psychology evening class, City University, Thursdays, starts soon

The weekly Positive Psychology Evening class at City University, London starts soon.

http://www.city.ac.uk/cae/cfa/business/coaching_business_skills/positive_psychology.html

This is one of my favourite courses to teach, and judging by the feedback it is also appreciated by most students.

It's a very practical course - you will learn not only the theory regarding happiness, strengths, wisdom, positive relationships and emotional intelligence (and more) but also practical tips (many of them evidence-based) to help you improve your life.

Positive Psychology

Course Information

Course Code:	CE1941
Start date(s):	Thursday 7 October 2010
Class Time:	6.30pm – 8.30pm
Number of Classes:	10 weekly classes
Course Fee:	£300.00

Enrol Now

 

Overview

Understanding psychology can improve your well-being and success, both at work and in your personal life. Positive psychology is the growing branch of psychology that focuses on the positive, including strengths, positive states and happiness. This course will have a particular emphasis on applying positive psychology in your personal and working life.

Topics studied will include:

• Happiness
• Goals and meaning
• Strengths
• Flow
• Hope, luck and optimism
• Emotional intelligence and resilience
• Mindfulness and meditation
• Positive relationships and empathy
• Wisdom and decision-making