Clinical Topics & Methods Category
Live Event

Integrating Positive Approaches Into CBT

Fri, Dec 4th, 2026
11:00am – 2:15pm US Eastern Time
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About the Event

While standard CBT aims largely at reducing or alleviating distress and altering behavior, Positive Psychology and CBT approaches that incorporate resilience and strengths or target positive affect are aimed at increasing well-being. Incorporating Positive Psychotherapy, Strengths-Based CBT (Padesky & Mooney, 2012), and Positive Affect Therapy into more traditional CBT involves two important components: (1) symptom reduction and problem resolution, and (2) building resilience and strengths to support maintenance of gains and facilitate increased well-being. In this version of CBT, the desired outcome of therapy might include well-being, flourishing, and meaning, rather than symptom reduction alone. This training will focus on an integrated CBT and Positive Psychology approach.

Live Event
This live online event will be held as a Zoom Webinar. Attendees will have the option to interact through features such as the Chat and Q&A, but cameras and microphones will not be enabled.

Live Event Instructor

John Ludgate

John Ludgate

John Ludgate, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist, who has worked as a psychotherapist for more than 30 years and specializes in treating mood, anxiety, relationship, and psychosexual disorders. As well as having an active clinical practice, he is involved in training and supervision in CBT. Dr. Ludgate has written numerous journal articles and book chapters in the field of Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Anxiety and Depression, most recently contributing a chapter on Relapse Prevention to the Handbook of CBT (2021) published by the American Psychological Association. He has presented many seminars and workshops on cognitive behavioral approaches, both nationally and internationally.

Target Audience

This live interactive is intended for Behavioral Health and Addictions professionals, including psychologists, social workers, counselors, marriage & family therapists, art therapists, school psychologists, psychoanalysts, music therapists, behavior analysts, school counselors, and addiction counselors. It is appropriate for intermediate levels of knowledge.

Learning Objectives

After taking this activity, you should be able to:

  1. 1 Describe at least two positive-focused therapeutic approaches, such as Positive Psychotherapy, Strengths-Based CBT, and Positive Affect Therapy.
  2. 2 Identify at least one therapeutic application associated with Positive Psychotherapy, Strengths-Based CBT, and Positive Affect Therapy.
  3. 3 Integrate strategies derived from these models with standard CBT approaches to support symptom reduction, resilience, and well-being.

Bannink, F., & Geschwind, N. (2021). Positive CBT: Individual and group treatment protocols for positive cognitive behavioral therapy. Hogrefe Publishing GmbH.

Craske, M. G., Dour, H., Treanor, M., & Meuret, A. E. (2022). Positive affect treatment for depression and anxiety: Therapist guide. Oxford University Press.

Craske, M. G., Meuret, A. E., Echiverri-Cohen, A., Rosenfield, D., & Ritz, T. (2023). Positive affect treatment targets reward sensitivity: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 91(6), 350. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000805

Lim, W. L., & Tierney, S. (2023). The effectiveness of positive psychology interventions for promoting well-being of adults experiencing depression compared to other active psychological treatments: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Happiness Studies, 24(1), 249-273. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-022-00598-z

Padesky, C. A., & Mooney, K. A. (2012). Strengths‐based cognitive–behavioural therapy: A four‐step model to build resilience. Clinical psychology & psychotherapy, 19(4), 283-290. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.1795Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

Rashid, T., & Seligman, M. (2018). Positive psychotherapy: Workbook. Oxford University Press.

Schürmann‐Vengels, J., Flückiger, C., Reyer, E., Odyniec, P., & Willutzki, U. (2024). The Impact of Mental Imagery Instructions on Patients' and Therapists' Positive Affect and Strength‐Based Behaviours Within Psychotherapy Sessions: A Randomized Controlled Process Study. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 31(4), e3036. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.3036

Wenzel, A. E. (2021). Handbook of cognitive behavioral therapy: Overview and approaches, Vol. 1. American Psychological Association.

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CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity – including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests).

The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity's planners, faculty, and the reviewer:

Planners and Reviewers

The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

Faculty

There are no known relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial support

There is no commercial support for this distance-learning course.

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Event Agenda

Agenda times are listed in US Eastern Time. That is 3 hours later than US Pacific Time. The event starts at 8:00am US Pacific Time.

11:00–11:20 AM: Overview of CBT and Positive Approaches: Similarities and Differences

11:20–11:35 AM: Strengths-Based CBT

11:40–11:55 AM: Positive Psychotherapy

11:55 AM–12:15 PM: Positive Affect Therapy

12:15–12:30 PM: Break

12:30–1:15 PM: Assessment, Treatment Goals, and Outcomes in Positive Approaches vs. Standard CBT

1:15–2:05 PM: Integrating Positive Approaches With CBT in Everyday Clinical Practice

2:05–2:15 PM: Q&A

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