Abstract

Optimism is a psychological concept that has gained increasing attention by the fields of mental health and medical research. Defined as the inclination to view future events in a favorable way, optimism appears to have a great impact on one’s physical and psychological health. According to Martin Seligman, the psychologist and founder of Positive Psychology, optimism leads to greater resilience and a sense of control over our lives. This paper will discuss Seligman’s ideas of optimism in the context of the therapeutic setting. Case examples will be used to illustrate the various ways in which optimism enables clients to become more reflective about their habits of thinking, ultimately leading to greater resilience, agency and hope.