“Positive Psychology: Reframing Your World for Success” will be the next presentation in The Good Life Speaker Series, scheduled for this Thursday, Feb. 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Emory’s Center for Ethics, room 102.
Carla Berg, assistant professor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education at Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health, will speak on ways in which our perceptions of the world can be shaped by feelings such as optimism, gratitude and forgiveness, as well as the approach of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a central framework for understanding human behavior in the field of psychology.
Berg will explore “some of the cognitive distortions we all engage in at times, as well as how to combat these problematic ways of thinking,” and help facilitate a more positive experience, according to a release from Flourish Emory and the Barkley Forum, co-hosts for the free event.
Berg received her Ph.D. in clinical health psychology from the University of Kansas, completed her residency training at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School in behavioral medicine, and then completed her postdoctoral training at the University of Minnesota in the Department of Medicine.
Her research primarily focuses on tobacco control among special populations and cancer survivorship. Berg’s interests also include health communication and social marketing.
The Good Life lecture seeks to facilitate a meaningful exchange of ideas on how to lead the “good life,” based on Aristotle's concept of eudemonia, presenting speakers whose experiences and knowledge provide understanding on how to lead such a life.
Other Good Life lectures planned this semester include:
- Social Justice & Happiness, March 26 — Ed Lee, senior director of debate programs, Emory’s Barkley Forum
- Friendship & Vulnerability, April 16 — Pamela Hall, associate professor of religion
- Storytelling & Happiness, April 23 — Alexandra Gilbert, administrative assistant, Office of Health and Promotion, Campus Life
Previous lectures can be viewed at www.flourish.emory.edu.