Positive Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Negative thought patterns or thought processes have been shown to be the core cognitive theories of depression. Seligman and his colleague’s positive psychology exercises (PPEs) have been instrumental in treating patients with mental illness. Decades ago our focus was diagnosing and treating youth mental illness. We have also identified risk factors and some prevention models that are fundamental for promoting positivity and resiliency in our youth today. There is a paucity of research on positive psychiatry and psychology in children and adolescents. There is an increasing need for studies on youth positivity, wellness, and resilience. This chapter will expound on how youth mental health experts and trainees can be more familiar with and use positivity in their patient’s treatment formulation to enhance resiliency in youth.