Dr Chris Johnstone – Director
Chris qualified, with distinction, as a medical doctor in 1986, after a first degree combining medicine and psychology. His interest in resilience began in the early 1980s with a research project for his first degree looking at self-help strategies to help us cope with pain.
Over the last thirty years Chris has taught self-help skills for resilience and wellbeing in a wide range of settings – as a GP, as an addictions specialist, working with carers, in cancer units and with organisations. He has pioneered the role of Positive Psychology education in healthcare, education and the workplace. Now living in the north of Scotland, Chris set up College of Wellbeing .com so that he can continue his training work from the comfort of his home.
Chris’s books include Find Your Power – a toolkit for resilience and positive change (Permanent Publications, 2nd Ed, 2010), and, co-authored with Joanna Macy, Active Hope – how to face the mess we’re in without going crazy (New World Library, 2012). He also co-presents The Happiness Training Plan Audiobook with Miriam Akhtar.
Lorenz Gramann – Videographer
Lorenz is a film maker and psychotherapist living in Forres, Scotland. He did the filming for Personal Resilience in an Hour, and is working with Chris on developing other video-based courses. Lorenz recently co-produced a film about the Findhorn Foundation which can be seen at www.moviolaproductions.com
Carlotta Cataldi – graphic facilitator
Miriam Akhtar – Positive Psychology Trainer
Miriam holds the MSc in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) with Distinction from the University of East London, to where she now returns as an associate lecturer. UEL was the first UK university to partner with the MAPP established by Prof Martin Seligman at the University of Pennsylvania. Miriam is also on the faculty of the Executive Masters of Applied Positive Psychology (EMAPP) at the University of Lisbon, an associate lecturer at UWE and a visiting lecturer elsewhere. She is a highly engaging speaker and has delivered keynotes at conferences and festivals throughout Europe. Her latest book is – Positive Psychology for Overcoming Depression, Self-Help Strategies for Happiness, Inner Strength & Well-being.
Chris and Miriam work together in leading the online Positive Psychology Foundations Training, and co-produced the Happiness Training Plan audiobook.
Elisabeth Winkler – Social Media and Communications
Elisabeth is a journalist, social media whizz and publicist working with a range of good causes and companies. She’s written for all the main UK newspapers, and served for seven years as editor of Living Earth, the magazine of the Soil Association. An early adopter of social media, she launched the Soil Association on Facebook and Twitter in 2008. Her food blog Real Food Lover was shortlisted for the Guild of Food Writers 2009 New Media Awards. She has a website at winklermedia.co.uk