Learning to help people with IDD-MH through theory, practice, & technique
Taught by Dan Tomasulo, PhD, TEP, MFA, MAPP
March 5 to April 9, 2025 on Wednesdays 3:00-4:45 pm ET
Questions? Contact ncss.training.iod@unh.edu
This 6-week live, virtual course will provide attendees with the skills and tools needed to implement foundational positive psychology approaches within their respective practice settings, starting with themselves. A multi-modal instruction approach includes lectures, group discussion, demonstrations, and experiential learning through expressive writing and role-playing. This course is intended to promote the wellbeing of the attendees themselves, engaging in positive therapeutic practices so that the benefits attendees experience may be extended to the people they support and treat. There are no pre-requisites to register.
Cost
$399 per person
Who Should Participate?
Masters-level professionals (or those with 3+ years of experience) who work within developmental and/or mental health settings.
Testimonials
“Dr. Tomasulo knows so much and I just want to soak up every minute.”
“I really enjoyed this course and the positive focus on supporting people with [IDD]. I can use the knowledge with many teams, and many providers I work with could benefit from this training as well.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed this class and learned so much.”
Spring 2025 Dates
March 5 to April 9, 2025
Wednesdays 3:00-4:45 pm ET
Session 1: Course Overview / Positive Emotions and Well-Being
• PERMA
• The history of positive psychology
• Understanding the various forms of positivity
Session 2: Flow and the Power of Engagement
• Cultivating flow
• Learning and using signature strengths as ways to enter the flow state
• Awareness as a tool for transformation
• Self-regulation, goal setting, and grit
Session 3: Relationships and Well-Being
• The Harvard study on Adult Development and the implications for well-being
• Strength spotting people at work
• Looking at your social atom in the past, present, and future.
• Making & maintaining high quality connections
Session 4: Purpose, Meaning, and Being Called
• Aligning our purpose with our strengths
• Moving from the present into a future you are meant to live in
• Using more pull than push
Session 5: What Does it Take to Feel Accomplished?
• Exploring passion
• Character strengths & a harmonious approach to achievement
• Emotional regulation & strategies for success
• Predictors of accomplishment
Session 6: Course Summary and Takeaways
• Positive Interactive Behavioral Therapy (P-IBT) demo
• Applied positive psychology show & tell
• Planning for the future
Course Learning Objectives:
At the end of this course, participants will….
- Identify the components that make up well-being from the PERMA model, and describe how positive emotions impact our body, brain, and immune system.
- Describe how standard positive psychology interventions may need to be modified for people with IDD-MH
- Describe a flow state and explain ways people can enter it.
- Explain how people with IDD-MH may need to use their character strengths to maintain and promote their wellbeing.
- Describe and demonstrate the active constructive way of responding to someone’s good news.
- Explain the ways people thrive if they have a greater sense of meaning and purpose in their life.
- Identify how passion, perseverance, and self-regulation are important to achievement.
- Identify responses to people with IDD-MH who are using obsessive passion as a form of coping.
Continuing Education
In order to receive a UNH Digital Badge and 1.05 University of New Hampshire CEUs (10.5 contact hours) participants must:
- Attend each Zoom Webinar session (If unable to attend a particular session, watching the recorded session available to all attendees)
- Complete a pre- and post-survey at the beginning and conclusion of the course as well as a short training evaluation following each session
