PsychCentral's World of Psychology Blog Publications
Value Guideposts for PsychEducation
I am fascinated by the field of psychology. Historically, this field has been reserved for "experts" and rightly so, for the psyche is undeniably complex and individualized. Serious mental health issues are often accompanied by deeply seated pain and trauma which should be carefully navigated, usually with a the help of an objective professional.
However, I believe the vast majority of individuals can also benefit from learning more about their own psychological makeup and how our experiences are intertwined with our perception of our own lives. I believe most people are capable of life changing growth, just from acquiring more understanding about things they have been through or struggles they have, and learning new skills to cope, reconcile, and adapt.
I have outlined some basic tenets which I hold for the work I wholeheartedly contribute to Psychology Education.
Mental Health as a Spectrum of Wellness
Mental health is a broad spectrum of wellness that is dependent on all the other dimensions of our wellness including physical, emotional, spiritual, social, intellectual, occupational, and environmental. More about that here. While there are more severe cases requiring professional intervention and treatment, I believe the vast majority of individuals can implement self improvement with supportive resources to some degree on their own and make progress on their own goals for growth along this spectrum of health.
Growth Oriented Mindset
This means that challenges are met with an optimistic attitude and strive toward reconciliation. With this mindset, the individual is geared toward growth despite discomfort, limitations, weaknesses, or contrary. Additionally, they are proactive in seeking out sources of learning and growth, rather than passively awaiting instruction. Having this mindset allows one to remain open to new possibilities and does not operate in terms of "scarcity" but instead believes there are plenty of opportunities for success to go around for everyone.
Resiliency and Resourcefulness
Challenges help us grow our resiliency. We take responsibility for the choices we make (and the choices we don't make). We believe in Personal Agency as being an initiator of our own transformative change. We look for ways to adapt, evolve, and improve our lives as opposed to allowing our circumstances to victimize us or to rely on blaming external factors for our successes or failures. We work hard to reframe the meaning of troubling life events, so that we are always pointed toward resiliency.
Perspective as Power
The perspective we hold wields power over our ability to remain authentic in our pursuits. We are acutely aware of our own self deception and work toward objectivity as much as possible. We routinely search ourselves for signs where we have lost objectivity or have not thought critically through a process. Changing our perspective, though not always easy or immediate, is within our own power. We remember our perspective is naturally limited to our experience and in order to be as inclusive as possible in our undertakings, we must deliberately consider alternate perspectives that truthfully fall outside of our first hand experience.
Pursuit of Truth
We pursue truth over all else, removing extraneous distractions or self serving motives, always crediting sources on which we have relied. We recognize an aspect of human nature that has a tendency to manipulate truth in favor of convenience, ego, excuses, or confirmation bias, but work to override this tendency by continuously re-aligning our pursuit of truth.
Balance
We recognize that life is paradoxical and often there is no absolute answer that works for everyone. We take the truth of our experiences and apply them as they resonate, understanding that our perception may not be all encompassing or appropriate for all circumstances. We work hard to be able to hold two opposing ideas in complete peace with one another, though not necessarily agreed upon.
Disclaimer
WriterType publications are intended to provide inspiration and encouragement based on the experience and research of its creator and contributors. The material on WriterType and associated platforms is not intended to be or to replace mental health care. Some issues surrounding mental health are too intense and personal to be addressed by non-professionals. Ask your primary care physician to recommend a mental health care professional near you.
Suicide Ideation is serious. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Text “Hello” to 741-74. Outside the United States, find the number for your location at the International Association of Suicide Prevention: https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/.
There is help. There is hope.
However, I believe the vast majority of individuals can also benefit from learning more about their own psychological makeup and how our experiences are intertwined with our perception of our own lives. I believe most people are capable of life changing growth, just from acquiring more understanding about things they have been through or struggles they have, and learning new skills to cope, reconcile, and adapt.
I have outlined some basic tenets which I hold for the work I wholeheartedly contribute to Psychology Education.
Mental Health as a Spectrum of Wellness
Mental health is a broad spectrum of wellness that is dependent on all the other dimensions of our wellness including physical, emotional, spiritual, social, intellectual, occupational, and environmental. More about that here. While there are more severe cases requiring professional intervention and treatment, I believe the vast majority of individuals can implement self improvement with supportive resources to some degree on their own and make progress on their own goals for growth along this spectrum of health.
Growth Oriented Mindset
This means that challenges are met with an optimistic attitude and strive toward reconciliation. With this mindset, the individual is geared toward growth despite discomfort, limitations, weaknesses, or contrary. Additionally, they are proactive in seeking out sources of learning and growth, rather than passively awaiting instruction. Having this mindset allows one to remain open to new possibilities and does not operate in terms of "scarcity" but instead believes there are plenty of opportunities for success to go around for everyone.
Resiliency and Resourcefulness
Challenges help us grow our resiliency. We take responsibility for the choices we make (and the choices we don't make). We believe in Personal Agency as being an initiator of our own transformative change. We look for ways to adapt, evolve, and improve our lives as opposed to allowing our circumstances to victimize us or to rely on blaming external factors for our successes or failures. We work hard to reframe the meaning of troubling life events, so that we are always pointed toward resiliency.
Perspective as Power
The perspective we hold wields power over our ability to remain authentic in our pursuits. We are acutely aware of our own self deception and work toward objectivity as much as possible. We routinely search ourselves for signs where we have lost objectivity or have not thought critically through a process. Changing our perspective, though not always easy or immediate, is within our own power. We remember our perspective is naturally limited to our experience and in order to be as inclusive as possible in our undertakings, we must deliberately consider alternate perspectives that truthfully fall outside of our first hand experience.
Pursuit of Truth
We pursue truth over all else, removing extraneous distractions or self serving motives, always crediting sources on which we have relied. We recognize an aspect of human nature that has a tendency to manipulate truth in favor of convenience, ego, excuses, or confirmation bias, but work to override this tendency by continuously re-aligning our pursuit of truth.
Balance
We recognize that life is paradoxical and often there is no absolute answer that works for everyone. We take the truth of our experiences and apply them as they resonate, understanding that our perception may not be all encompassing or appropriate for all circumstances. We work hard to be able to hold two opposing ideas in complete peace with one another, though not necessarily agreed upon.
Disclaimer
WriterType publications are intended to provide inspiration and encouragement based on the experience and research of its creator and contributors. The material on WriterType and associated platforms is not intended to be or to replace mental health care. Some issues surrounding mental health are too intense and personal to be addressed by non-professionals. Ask your primary care physician to recommend a mental health care professional near you.
Suicide Ideation is serious. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Text “Hello” to 741-74. Outside the United States, find the number for your location at the International Association of Suicide Prevention: https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/.
There is help. There is hope.
