About Us

The Positive Psychology Guild (PPG) is a Not for Profit Organisation (Company Number: 11015084) and a government registered learning provider (UK Provider Reference Number: 10067939). It is also a Quality License Scheme Training Provider (Provider Number: 01390).

Charter

The Positive Psychology Guild (PPG) was formed with a constitution. Its charter and objectives is to be:

  1. An independent education, training, and certification body on Positive Psychology Practice and Strengths-Based Practice (Autism & Neurodiversity);
  2. A professional membership body for Certified Positive Psychology Practitioners and Strengths-Based Practitioners (Autism & Neurodiversity), and coaches, trainers, facilitators, and researchers using Positive Psychology-informed approaches;
  3. A professional research and publications centre on Positive Psychology Practice and Strengths-Based Practice (Autism & Neurodiversity);
  4. An awarding body for Neurodiversity & Inclusion in the workplace and local communities;
  5. A thought leader within the fields of Positive Psychology and Strengths-Based Autism & Neurodiversity, and their applications across industry, culture and communities.

Identity

The organisation operates under the following names:

The Positive Psychology Guild (PPG) is the organisation’s official name. It is also the name of the website that professional and organisational membership registration and services for Certified Positive Psychology Practitioners and Strengths-Based Practitioners (Autism & Neurodiversity) worldwide.

The Positive Psychology Network (PPN) is the central website that provides information on PPG’s activities (courses, research, scholarships, membership) via its blog. In the past, PPN also ran in-person networking events under the name SquarePeg, which operated in Yorkshire, UK.

The Positive Psychology Guild Neurodiversity Centre (PPGNC) runs the Neurodiversity, Inclusivity, Confidence (NIDC) Award, which is a not-for-profit initiative that trains organisations on inclusive policies and practices. It also runs the Positive Psychology Guild Autism Centre (PPGAC), which supports Positive Psychology-informed research and education led by autistic individuals.

The Positive Psychology Guild Academy (PPGA) is the online learning platform for students on PPG courses. It runs the Positive Psychology Practitioner and Strengths-Based Practitioner (Autism & Neurodiversity) Research & Training Programmes. It facilitates a blend of self-paced learning and direct learning via Zoom classes, meetings, and webinars.

The Positive Psychology Guild Centre (PPGC) facilitates and supports research and publications on inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary approaches to Positive Psychology and Neurodiversity. It runs initiatives on Positive Health, Positive Education, Positive Organisations, and Positive Communities, and publishes white papers and journal articles by Positive Psychology and Strengths-Based Practitioners.

Purpose 

PPG serves as an international think tank, research institution, training provider, awarding body and membership organisation for Positive Psychology Practitioners and Strengths-Based Practitioners. It offers a bridge between coaches, trainers, facilitators, consultants, entrepreneurs, teachers, mentors, and researchers who integrate Positive Psychology modalities into their client, student, and project services, and psychologists, counsellors, and psychotherapists engaged in positive therapy.

While Positive Psychology is different to many other talking therapies and counselling approaches, it doesn’t mean it is not therapeutic. More and more counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists, and social workers are turning to Positive Psychology as an alternative approach or “missing piece” in their practice. We welcome students and members who practice talk therapies and counselling and wish to integrate Positive Psychology into their work.

Positive Psychology is not a regulated profession in the UK. PPG is working towards the regulation of practice and qualification, for example through its Register of Practitioners and range of Positive Psychology Practice and Strengths-Based Practice qualifications, and development of best practice guidelines and guidance documents.

Vision 

PPG aims to become a world leading network of Registered Positive Psychology Practitioners and Strengths-Based Practitioners (Autism & Neurodiversity). It aims to uphold and lead on its Professional Guidelines for Positive Psychology Practitioners within the disciplines of Coaching, Training, Facilitation, and Research, and Strengths-Based Practitioners (Autism & Neurodiversity).

PPG’s guidelines build on and integrate current national occupational standards and best practice guidelines such as the following:

Values

PPG values education, diversity and the natural desire of every person to cultivate their strengths in life and work, and to find ways to express their authentic selves. Its courses are designed to stimulate personal and professional development, and encourage each student to engage positively and to grow. We welcome neurodiversity, cultural diversity, and diversity of thought in research, theory, and practice.

PPG also works towards a set of Positive Paradigms. A paradigm in this regard is a set of values, ideas, perspectives, and way of thinking. PPG’s 3 Positive Paradigms (Coker, 2020) are: (1) Person-Centred/Led; (2) Strengths-Based; (3) Hope-Oriented. Each of these paradigms influences how we think, teach, research, work, and communicate.

As a team, we also strive to follow PPG’s Professional Guidelines and 6 Core Values (Coker & Higgins, 2023) which are: (1) Safety & Wellbeing; (2) Equality & Diversity; (3) Authenticity; (4) Integrity; (5) Positive Communication; (6) Energy & Presence. These values also influence how we think, teach, research, work, and communicate.

Philosophy

As an education provider, our teaching philosophy is based on education for all. Our students join us from all walks of life and all phases of personal and professional development. Each student matters to us; so too does the purpose behind what, why and how they want to learn.

We keep in mind the teachings of ancient Greek philosophers, who believed in questioning and reasoning, and fostering good judgment, moral virtue, and wisdom, as well as contemporary leaders, activists, educators, and philosophers who advocate for intelligence and character, and an active student-teacher dialogue.

Our aim is to empower students and give them autonomy over their own learning whilst supporting them through each stage of the process.

Relationships

We foster a strong relationship with Bucks New University Positive Psychology Department (MAPP), and collaborate with students and graduates as members and practitioners on research, raising standards and building awareness of this emerging and powerful discipline. Our founder has also completed a Doctoral Research Project with Sheffield Hallam University.

Contact Us

You can follow our activity updates online by following us on the PPG LinkedIn page here.

You may also email us with specific requests below:

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