We are delighted to welcome you to the Positive Psychology Guild membership community! As a Guild member you are able to interact with other members through our online community.
The aim of this is to provide a virtual space for those who have an interest in Positive Psychology to connect, feel supported, learn from each other and grow.
Please read through this document carefully as it includes a code of virtual conduct at the end that we kindly request all of our members to follow.
What is PPG?
PPG stands for the Positive Psychology Guild. This is our official name. It encompasses the Positive Psychology Network (our communications hub), the Positive Psychology Centre (our research hub), the Positive Psychology Academy (our education hub), the Positive Psychology Autism Centre and our dedicated Positive Psychology Membership site.
What is Our Philosophy?
The PPG is dedicated to the development of occupational standards for Positive Psychology in Practice. We aim to provide a professional home for Positive Psychology Practitioners. Positive Psychology has expanded rapidly as a field and covers many diverse areas of practice. We recognise and respect that Practitioners come from many different backgrounds in terms of training, qualifications and experience
We offer membership at a level appropriate to these diverse backgrounds. This requires a commitment to our professional guidelines which incorporate standards for ethical, evidence based practice and a commitment to continuing professional development (CPD). We maintain a Register of Positive Psychology Practitioners which aims to facilitate the professional standing of Positive Psychology (PP) Practitioners and to support the development of the profession in a manner that is ethical and transparent concerning the competencies of individuals. This approach allows clear communication with the public and organisations wishing to engage PP practitioners and enables us to offer appropriate insurance to practice. We aim to be rigorous in ensuring qualification and experience standards to practice, without requiring excessively onerous or prescriptive barriers to registration.
Our dedicated membership site aims to encourage professional growth through peer engagement facilitating learning, networking and support with the objective of improving benefits for our clients and service users and enhancing the standing and impact of the profession as a whole.
Membership Categories
What is a Member?
An individual or organisation who has applied and successfully meets the criteria for one of the following categories of membership:
Student Member
An individual who is a student currently enrolled in a MAPP degree, or in a Level 3+ qualification in Positive Psychology, or the equivalent from a reputable educational provider.
Affiliate Member
An individual who is qualified professional from the teaching, research, psychology, philosophy, sociology, or other related fields, who integrates Positive Psychology approaches into their work.
Associate Member
An individual who holds a Level 3+ qualification in Positive Psychology in Practice or Applied Positive Psychology from an education provider who is included on our list of approved training providers.
Professional Member
An individual who holds a Level 5+ qualification in Positive Psychology in Practice or Applied Positive Psychology from an education provider who is included on our list of approved training providers.
Fellow Member
An individual who holds a MAPP degree or Level 7+ qualification in Positive Psychology in Practice or Applied Positive Psychology Research from an education provider who is included on our list of approved training providers
Organisational Member
Is a registered Professional or Fellow Member and runs their own company, and wishes to deliver PPG-accredited CPD training and events through their organisation.
Definitions of Key Terms
Register of Practitioners
A list of accredited PP Practitioners whose qualifications and experience have been checked at associate, professional or fellow membership level, who are insured appropriately and DBS certified. The list is maintained by PPG and inclusion is reviewed annually. Membership of the register requires commitment to the PPG code of professional conduct and demonstration of continuing professional development. The register includes details of the practitioners fields and domains of practice and areas of subject expertise to allow those seeking a PP Practitioner to search for a suitable provider.
Community of Practice
A group of PP Practitioners with a shared interest, who meet regularly to support their professional development in a safe, confidential space by facilitating learning, CPD, networking and support.
Peer Review
An optional process where two practitioner members meet to discuss and reflect on their practitioner experiences, annually or more often if desired, via a co-coaching model. The aim is to identify and celebrate progress, to reflect on areas for development and craft plans to facilitate ongoing professional progress.
Fields of Practice
The specialty areas in which Positive Psychology may be practised such as coaching, counselling, facilitation, research, somatics, teaching and training.
Domains of Practice
The type of client group or arena where the practice takes place such as individual adults/children, groups, schools, businesses… etc.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
CPD refers to any ongoing activity aimed at improving the practitioner’s knowledge, skills and practice with the purpose of enhancing benefits for clients, quality of service delivery, or personal growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I connect with other Members?
You can view other members details on the membership website.
For details of joining a Community of Practice or engaging in a Peer Review process please contact us at: membership@ppnetwork.org
We encourage members to set up links and forums in their fields or domains of practice or areas of subject interest. If you would like to discuss this please contact us at: membership@ppnetwork.org
How do I find out about PPG events?
All events and webinars are listed on the PPG Membership website.
Who do I contact if I have a concern?
If you have any concerns regarding content or contacts on the PPG membership website please contact the PPG team at: membership@ppnetwork.org
The Communities of Practice and Peer Review process documents contain specific sections relating to oversight, contracting and complaints procedures.
As a member, do I benefit from any discounts?
Student and Affiliate members can receive discounts on membership events.
Associate, Professional and Fellow members also receive discounts on membership events but in addition, discounted rates on CPD courses and Positive Psychology Network events
At which levels of membership do I receive insurance cover?
If you are an Associate, Professional or Fellow member, liability and insurance coverage is included in your annual fee. This applies if your practice is in the UK & Europe only.
PPG Code of Conduct
Our Aim
Our aim is to provide a positive space that is psychologically safe and welcoming to all.
Respectful Communications
We do not tolerate foul language, bullying, harassment, intimidation, or aggression. If you feel that you have encountered such behaviour, please report the incident as soon as you are able to the PPG team at: membership@ppnetwork.org
Diversity & Inclusion
We also do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. This includes discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, religion, and neurodiversity. If you feel you have been discriminated against, please report this incident as soon as you are able to the PPG team at membership@ppnetwork.org
Commercial Intentions
The advertising or selling of products or soliciting of services is not permitted under any circumstances. In the event of such activity, you may be contacted by the PPG Membership team and asked kindly to remove the post. However, we do encourage the use of the site for members to network and share resources. Therefore we have three groups to allow you to share recommendations. These are 1) Books, 2) Courses, training events and conferences, 3) Apps, PP products or other services. You may share your own offerings or other recommendations here. To view these recommendations you need to opt in to join these groups. Any recommendations are based on the opinions of individual members and are not endorsed by PPG (unless they carry a PPG accreditation mark). You may share links to academic articles anywhere on the site. Sharing of information anywhere which is not related to PP may result in you being contacted by the membership team to remove the post. Approaching or messaging individual members with the unsolicited intent to sell services or products may result in your membership being reviewed.
As a member of the Positive Psychology Guild, we request that you:
- Communicate with care and respect for others;
- Be open to opinions and beliefs that may differ from your own;
- Respect diversity, neurodiversity, and cultural differences;
- Not advertise or solicit services under any circumstances;
- Not share your course learning material with a third party.
If you have any questions about this code of conduct and what is expected of you, or you have suggestions for its development or improvement, please contact the PPG team at: membership@ppnetwork.org
You may download a PDF copy of these guidelines here.