The Psychology of Hope
The psychology of hope is the foundation of our ministry of service and healing. Hope allows people to approach life’s challenges with the mindset and a strategy set that is suitable to success. It empowers people to reach their goals and celebrate their dreams.
Hope is not just a feel-good emotion, but rather a dynamic cognitive motivational approach to living. With hope there is not a mountain too high to climb, no valley to wide to cross, no obstacle that cannot be overcome!
Hope is the belief that miracles do happen, change is possible and transformation can flourish.
As we continue this adventure we call life, we need to open our hearts. Move beyond our fears and remember that hope does not abandon us, we abandon hope.
Father Francis Pizzarelli, SMM, LCSW-R, ACSW, DCSW
Executive Director-Founder/CEO
Hope House Ministries
Recommended Books:
1) Psychology of Hope: You Can Get Here from There, by C. R. Snyder (positive psychology specialist)
https://www.google.com/books/edition/_/dCWv9MYZ580C?hl=en
2) The Hope Circuit: A Psychologist’s Journey from Helplessness to Optimism, by Martin E. P. Seligman (positive psychology founder)
https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Circuit-Psychologists-Helplessness-Optimism/dp/1610398734/
3) On Hope, by Pope Francis
https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Pope-Francis/dp/0829446435
This link provides thorough education on hope (from the positive psychology perspective):
https://positivepsychology.com/hope-therapy/
This link summarizes 6 strategies to cultivate hope:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/pieces-mind/201504/finding-hope
Here is a short hope-themed guided meditation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq85RxJYY4Y
Bonus – For levity, here is a reading of Oh, the Places You’ll Go, by Dr. Seuss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmOCyP4VyP4