About Positive and Transcultural Psychotherapy

Integrative and transcultural psychotherapeutic method
Humanistic Psychodynamic Method
Conflict-centered short-term method
Cultural-sensitive method
Use of stories, anecdotes, and wisdom
Innovative interventions and techniques
Application in psychotherapy, other medical disciplines, counselling, education, prevention, management, and training

The term “positive”

The approach was originally known as Differentiational Analysis until 1977, when Nossrat Peseschkian introduced his groundbreaking work, Positive Psychotherapie. This publication was later translated into English and released in 1987 under the title Positive Psychotherapy.

The term "positive" is rooted in the Latin words positum or positivus, meaning "the actual," "the real," or "the concrete." Positive Psychotherapy focuses on helping clients and patients identify and harness their abilities, strengths, resources, and potential, empowering them to achieve greater personal growth and balance.

3 Main Principles

The three main principles or pillars of Positive Psychotherapy are:

The Principle of Hope

The Principle of Balance

The Principle of Consultation

The Principle of HOPE

The therapist guides patients in uncovering the meaning and purpose behind their conflicts or disorders. By reframing these challenges in a positive light—for example, viewing sleep disturbances as heightened vigilance, low mood as a deep sensitivity to conflicts, hallucinations as an ability to navigate between reality and fantasy, or anorexia nervosa as a testament to resilience and empathy for global hunger—a fresh perspective emerges.

This positive outlook not only supports the patient’s healing but also positively impacts those around them, emphasizing the symbolic role that illnesses can play. Together, the therapist and patient come to see symptoms and grievances as important signals, pointing to the need for greater balance in life.

The Principle of BALANCE

Despite our diverse social and cultural backgrounds, we tend to respond similarly to problems. Thomas Kornbichler highlights Nossrat Peseschkian's Balance Model of Positive Psychotherapy as an innovative approach to dynamic psychotherapy that addresses conflicts across cultures.

The Balance Model identifies four life areas:

Body/health - psychosomatic issues
Achievement/work - stress factors
Contact/relationships - depression
Future/purpose/meaning of life - fears and phobias

While these areas are universal, Western cultures often prioritize body and career success, whereas Eastern cultures emphasize relationships, imagination, and future concerns. The model suggests that a lack of connection and creativity can lead to psychosomatic illnesses. Individuals develop their coping preferences within these areas.

Principle of CONSULTATION

The five stages of Positive Psychotherapy are a method that integrates therapy and self-help. Patients and their families learn about the illness together and work on individual solutions:

Observation: Recognizing desires and problems.
Inventory: Reflecting on events over the past 5 to 10 years.
Encouragement: Activating past successes for self-help.
Verbalization: Expressing conflicts and problems in different areas of life.
Goal Expansion: Looking towards the future and setting long-term goals.

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