Tragic optimism: an integrative meaning-centred approach to trauma treatment

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this article is to first explain the concept of Tragic Optimism (TO) and why it is necessary for effective counselling and trauma therapy. It then explains how the TO model is based on the Positive Psychology 2.0 (P.P. 2.0) framework and examines the empirical support of its contribution to posttraumatic growth. It also discusses the psychometrics of the Life Attitudes Scale (LAS) – an instrument based on the TO components. Finally, it will consider the relevance of the dual-system model and the ABCDE strategy in Wong’s integrative meaning therapy in trauma treatment and concludes with a case study employing the Meaning Therapy with a TO emphasis.

KEYWORDS:

• Trauma
• post-traumatic growth
• positive psychology
• integrative therapy
• meaning therapy
• meaning-making

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mega M. Leung

Mega M. Leung obtained her M.A. in Counselling Psychology at Trinity Western University, BC, Canada. Her clinical practice and research interest focus on Trauma recovery and Post traumatic growth, Critical Incident Response in the workplace, personal Injury and rehabilitation, as well as death and loss.  She is interested in integrating the evidence-based trauma therapy interventions and the humanistic-existential framework approach in assisting individuals with adversities and traumas to navigate their transition from despair and losses to a new normal with hope, growth and newfound aspirations.