Positive Psychology Institute

The Positive Psychology Institute (PPI), based in Sydney, Australia, is a distinguished executive coaching and psychological services provider dedicated to fostering optimal human functioning and wellbeing. Established with a core mission to practice and promote the science of optimal human functioning, PPI aims to enhance the wellbeing of individuals, communities, governments, private sector organisations, and educational institutions alike. The institute distinguishes itself by integrating emergent theory, research, and evidence-based practices from Positive Psychology—the scientific study of flourishing—with traditional psychological approaches, also drawing insights from neuroscience, education, and organisational behaviour.

At the helm of the Positive Psychology Institute is Dr. Paula Robinson, the Managing Director and a leading expert in mental fitness and organisational psychology. Dr. Robinson, a registered, consulting, and coaching psychologist, holds a PhD conceptualising and measuring 'Mental Fitness,' a concept she pioneered globally. Her extensive experience, including 12 years in senior management prior to her psychological career, informs her holistic approach to wellbeing. The team at PPI comprises registered psychologists, coaching psychologists, researchers, and educators, each bringing a unique blend of knowledge in mental health, clinical, social, educational, and organisational psychology, as well as applied positive psychology and neuroscience.

PPI offers a comprehensive suite of services, including individual counselling and coaching, designed to address a range of presenting issues by supplementing focused psychological strategies like Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with applied positive psychology principles. For organisations, PPI co-creates strategic applications to improve culture and climate, employee engagement, wellbeing, and mental fitness programs, emphasising evidence-based interventions to boost bottom-line outcomes. A significant area of specialisation is Positive Education, where PPI designs and delivers programs for schools and supports the implementation of their own initiatives, exemplified by their world-first, scientifically evaluated strategic positive education program with Knox Grammar School. This initiative, running for several years, focuses on creating a positive school climate to support academic performance, mental fitness, and the wellbeing of staff and students. The institute also offers workshops and presentations on topics such as mental fitness, resilience, strengths identification, positive emotion, and goal attainment for various audiences, including the general public interested in applying academic research to their daily lives.

Positive Psychology Institute is guided by core values including citizenship, rigour, innovation, collaboration, vigour, and authenticity, and operates with a mission to significantly improve wellbeing both locally and internationally. Their advisory panel consists of psychology and business experts from Australia and across the globe, ensuring their practices are informed by the best international and local research. Through a proactive approach to mental wellbeing, PPI empowers individuals and organisations to cultivate strengths, build resilience, and achieve optimal functioning across all aspects of life.