Hello there! 

I teach in a very "person-centered" way that starts with a striving to recognize and accept all students for who they are as people. I seek to create an inclusive, acceptant, and secure learning environment in which all students feel free to discuss course material. 

This class has been adapted based on material taught in my PSY-110: Psychological Well-Being at Saint Leo University. Meeting weekly, students will learn about topics in personality, stress and coping, and positive psychology, and will learn ways to navigate difficult life situations. All classes will feature a mixture of lecture, discussion, and hands-on experiential learning, and all information will be age-appropriate. 

Weeks 1 and 2 -- Personality: 
Students will learn about several historical views on human personality in the week 1 meeting, which will feature the work of psychoanalytic, humanistic, and behavioral psychologists and discussion on how our personalities affect our well-being. In week 2, students will learn about two modern perspectives on personality. As part of this module, students will take a personality test and write a 1-page reflection paper on their results. 

Weeks 3 and 4 -- Stress, coping, and values:
Students will learn about formal models of stress and coping (emotion regulation, and the role of mindfulness in regulating our emotions), and ways to identify their values and what is important in their lives. They will learn mindfulness skills and begin to identify ways to put their values into practice. Also part of this module, students in week 3 will practice a stress-and-coping exercise for one week, where they will engage in an activity of their choosing (meditation, taking a walk, or listening to music they enjoy) for 10 minutes each day and then write a 1-page paper reflecting on their experience by the end of week 4. 

Weeks 5 and 6 -- Positive psychology, compassion, and happiness
Students will learn about aspects of positive psychology and compassion in week 5, and in week 6 will learn about formal models of happiness. We will, in Week 6, also make ample time for any final questions and discussion which might arise. 

No prior knowledge is required and learners of all abilities are encouraged to participate--whether students are just somewhat curious about psychology or incredibly passionate, and regardless of neurological, medical, or other condition or background, they are welcome here.