Discovering Your Strengths: A Journey in Positive Psychology for Helping Professionals, People Pleasers and Perfectionists

Mar 7

As a psychologist and social worker, I believe in the power of self-discovery and self reflection – not just for my clients, but as an ongoing journey for myself as well. Recently, I took the VIA Character Strengths assessment, a scientific survey developed by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania's Positive Psychology Center.

The results offered insights that I'm excited to share with you, both as a window into what I bring into the room as a therapist and as an invitation for you to explore your own strengths. The perspective I share comes not just from my professional trainings, but from a deeply personal journey of understanding that our worth is not measured by perfection, but by our willingness to grow, learn, and embrace our authentic selves.

What is Positive Psychology?

Positive psychology, pioneered by Dr. Martin Seligman at the University of Pennsylvania, offers a revolutionary approach to well-being. One of the most powerful aspects of positive psychology is its focus on building from our strengths rather than just addressing our challenges.

Theoretical Foundations

The field of positive psychology builds on robust scientific research studying human flourishing – exploring what makes life truly worth living. Peterson and Seligman's landmark work established the VIA Classification of Character Strengths, a comprehensive framework for understanding human virtues. Their research demonstrates that identifying and leveraging personal strengths can significantly improve psychological well-being, resilience, and overall life satisfaction.

Therapeutic Presence: My Character Strengths that Influence Our Work Together

Honesty and Authenticity: This resonates deeply with me, as I've always believed that genuine connection forms the foundation of effective therapy. In our sessions, you'll find someone who brings their whole self to our work together – no pretense, just authentic presence and sincere conversation.
Love of Learning: This strength keeps me constantly growing as a therapist. I value excellence – but I've learned to channel this into curious exploration rather than rigid standards. This enthusiasm for learning often becomes contagious in therapy, as we explore and discover new insights together. I've learned that growth isn't about being perfect, but about being persistently interested and kind to ourselves in the process.
Humor and Playfulness: This might surprise some who expect therapy to be solely serious business. I've found that appropriate humor can help ease the pressure many people feel to "get it right" in therapy, creating space for genuine self-discovery.
Spirituality and sense of purpose: The “belief that there is a dimension to life that is beyond human understanding.” These dimensions include meaning, purpose, values, life direction, beliefs about the universe, the expression of virtue/goodness, and practices that connect with the transcendent to help us explore deeper questions about meaning and authenticity in your life.
Critical thinking and open mindedness: Weighing the evidence fairly, thinking things through, and examining the evidence from all sides rather than jumping to conclusions. This ensures that while we may explore various perspectives, we'll always ground our work in what makes practical sense for your life. This can be particularly helpful for perfectionists learning to balance high standards with self-compassion, and for people pleasers developing stronger skills in discernment.

Potential of Character Strengths in Your Healing Journey

Understanding your character strengths can be particularly transformative if you:

Experience the pressure of unrealistic self-expectations
Struggle with proving your worth through achievement
Feel trapped by the need to appear perfect
Often put others' needs before your own
Feel disconnected from your authentic self
Struggle with setting boundaries or making decisions
Find self-compassion challenging

Your strengths can serve as anchors for:

Recognizing your inherent worth beyond accomplishments
Developing healthy, compassionate boundaries
Balancing high standards with self-acceptance
Making value-aligned decisions
Practicing sustainable self-care

Next Steps: From Insight to Transformation

Take the Survey: Visit the Authentic Happiness website and complete the free VIA Character Strengths assessment. Authentic Happiness | Authentic Happiness

Ready to delve in?

Let's discover how your unique strengths can light the way forward on your healing journey toward greater authenticity, confidence, and well-being. Together, we'll use your natural capabilities as foundational building blocks for meaningful, sustainable change.

Connect with me

References

Seligman, M. E. P. (2002). Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment. New York: Free Press.
Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Linley, P. A., Nielsen, K. M., Gillett, R., & Biswas-Diener, R. (2010). Using signature strengths in pursuit of goals: Effects on goal progress, need satisfaction, and well-being, and implications for coaching psychologists. International Coaching Psychology Review, 5(1), 6-15.

Additional Resources