Participative Appreciative Therapy: A Positive Intervention Approach to Mental Health

The paper introduces a positive psychotherapy called Participative Appreciative Therapy® (PAT). It is based on principals of Appreciative Inquiry combined with the power of visualization. It has two phases. Phase one is called CREAM having five components and phases two is called DESERT having six stages. The five components of CREAM phase are Catharsis, Rapport building, Empathy, Affirmative Topic and Motivational environment and the six stages of DESERT phase are Discovery, Exploring the Dream, Seeing the dream implemented, Emotional Glue, Representative actions and behaviour, Transformation and discussion. It can also be called Cream and Dessert Therapy. The most significant aspect of the therapy is positive outcomes are visible from the very first session as probing and inquiry are in themselves therapeutic because of its nature of setting goal and asking questions. Secondly development of insight for solutions is fast. PAT is actually not just a therapy but should actually be adopted as a lifestyle.