Abstract

Since World War II, psychology and psychiatry have concentrated on the repair of mental damage using a disease model of human functioning. This exclusive attention to psychopathology neglects fully functioning individuals and their positive features that make their lives worth living. In this article, the author aims at presenting general principles and fundamental assumptions of positive psychology and therapy. The author then summarizes a variety of positive therapies that share the same fundamental assumptions of positive psychology. Additionally, the author discusses the pitfalls and future of positive therapy in a health care setting. Finally, the author suggests the understanding of integrative view of negative and positive features of human beings and the need for further clinical evidence and application in various health care settings. (Korean J Str Res 2007;15:227∼234)

• Keywords: Positive psychology, Positive therapy