The “WOW” Effect: How Awe and Wonder Make Us Happier, Healthier, and More Connected - Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Training Program Northern California

Presenter Bio

Jonah Paquette, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist, author, and international speaker. He is the author of three books: : Awestruck, Real Happiness,and The Happiness Toolbox, all of which focus on helping people achieve happier, more meaningful lives. His forthcoming book, Happily Even After, will examine practices for fostering resilience and well-being following hardship.

Jonah is a psychologist at Kaiser Permanente in Northern California, where he serves as the Assistant Regional Director for Mental Health Training. In addition to his clinical work and writing, Dr. Paquette offers training and consultation to therapists and organizations on the promotion of happiness and conducts professional workshops around the country and internationally. He is a frequent media contributor, having been featured regularly in print, online, and radio outlets. He has a passion for imparting the key findings related to happiness and wellbeing with a broader audience, and he is honored to share these with you. For more information about Jonah, please visit his website at http://www.jonahpaquette.com/

What do you feel when you gaze up at the Milky Way, see a beautiful rainbow, or stand before a mountain that seems impossibly high? This feeling – often complete with goosebumps and a shiver down our spine – is known as awe. And as it turns out, this underappreciated and often misunderstood emotion just might hold the key to a happy, meaningful, and healthy life.

Recent research has shown that awe can improve our physical health, strengthen our social bonds, and become lastingly happier. Experiences of awe strengthen our immune system, improve our psychological well-being, and even change our brain in unique ways. In this seminar, participants will explore the nature and benefits of awe, and how learning to become more awestruck can improve our psychological, physical, and social well-being.

Course Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain the benefits of awe for psychological and social well-being
Describe the impact of awe on physical health, including its effect on inflammation and the immune system

Instructional Level

Advanced

Licensed mental health professionals employed through Kaiser Permanente and psychological assistants performing under supervision of a licensed psychologist.

This CE program is free to Kaiser Permanente employees.

Instructional Methodology

Lecture
Audio/Visual
On-line Presentation

Continuing Education Information

Kaiser Permanente Northern California Mental Health Training Program is approved by the California Psychological Association to provide continuing professional education for psychologists. The Kaiser Permanente Northern California Mental Health Training Program maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Refund and Attendance Policy

All programs offered on KP Learn for CE credit through the KP Northern California Mental Health Training website are free of charge to Kaiser Permanente Staff and trainees. Once a course is selected in the KP NCAL MH Training Website, the registration process begins, and it will appear in the individuals KP Learn profile for completion within 90 days.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Those who attend the program in full and complete the appropriate evaluation form will receive CE credits. Please note that credit will only be granted to those who attend the entire program. An attestation of attendance will be given once the individual has completed viewing the program, which will then initiate the final steps of completing the evaluation forms to receive a certificate of completion.