Dr. Jeff Perron - The Psychology of Happiness

Thoughts on Record: Podcast of the Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Happiness is an elusive and frequently controversial topic of discussion. Dr. Jeff Perron joins us for an extensive discussion of some of the themes he is exploring in his new substack project: The Psychology of Happiness. In this discussion we cover:

• working within a workable & reasonable definition of happiness given the realities of the human condition
• the tension between schema-driven behaviours and values
• blending schema and values-orientated principles to create a pathway to happiness & well-being
• considering whether there is a room for clinicians to be perhaps more directive around the selection of values from an evidence-based perspective
• considering values from the lens of so-called "luxury beliefs" and evolutionary pressures (reproduction, safety & attachment etc)
• can values reflect adaptive schemas (in contrast to having only purely maladaptive schemas)
• brief thoughts on helping clients to understand their schema landscape and the value of integrating mode work into the treatment plan
• the importance of the "vulnerable child" being present in therapy as well as developing a healthy adult in parallel
• the challenge of deploying self-compassion and to move through potential stuck points
• resolving conflict between values and how to accurately map behavioural investment into one's values
• guiding principles for implementing values

Dr. Jeff Perron is a Clinical Psychologist and Author of The Psychology of Happiness, a Substack with over 15,000 subscribers. He is a Clinical Associate of the Ottawa Institute of CBT. He writes detailed guides that explain evidence-based concepts associated with mental well-being and happiness. In his clinical work, he has spent years helping professionals align their lives more closely with their goals and values, supporting them in moving away from unnecessary suffering and towards meaning and fulfilment. Dr. Perron holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Ottawa. He also holds an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University and in the past has worked in the corporate strategy world.