About Positive Psychology

A science focused on what helps people thrive

Positive psychology is a branch of psychology that studies what helps people live happier, more meaningful, and more resilient lives. Rather than focusing only on what’s wrong or broken, it asks an important question: what helps people flourish?

The field was founded by psychologist Martin Seligman, who helped shift psychology toward the scientific study of strengths, optimism, gratitude, connection, and well-being. His work, along with that of many other researchers, has shown that happiness is not just something that happens to us — it is a set of skills that can be learned and practiced.

Small practices, real impact

One of the most hopeful findings of positive psychology is that small, simple habits can make a meaningful difference. Practices like noticing what’s going well, identifying personal strengths, and building supportive relationships have been shown to improve mood, increase optimism, and help people recover more quickly from setbacks.

These ideas aren’t about pretending life is easy or ignoring difficult emotions. They are about developing tools that help people navigate life more effectively — especially during challenging times.

From research to real life

For the past 16 years, Frank Clayton — also known as The Happiest Therapist — has been teaching a class called Happiness 101, grounded in the principles of positive psychology. Through this class, he has worked directly with hundreds of people and indirectly touched the lives of thousands more.

The class focuses on practical, science-based strategies that people can use in everyday life, not just in theory. Again and again, participants report not only feeling happier themselves, but noticing positive changes in their families, workplaces, and communities.

Martin Seligman

Happiness spreads

Research in positive psychology has shown that happiness is contagious. When one person becomes happier, that change can ripple outward — much like a virus — affecting friends, family members, coworkers, and even people they’ve never met. In fact, studies suggest that a single person’s increase in happiness can influence more than 1,000 people over time, with the strongest impact on those closest to them.

This ripple effect is one of the reasons positive psychology is so powerful. Helping one person build well-being doesn’t just help that individual — it helps create healthier, more connected communities.

Why it matters now

In a world that often feels stressful, divided, or overwhelming, positive psychology offers something both grounded and hopeful. It doesn’t promise constant happiness, but it does provide evidence-based ways to build strength, perspective, and resilience.

At its core, positive psychology is about helping people — adults and children alike — develop skills that support a better life, one small step at a time.