Happy Nation is based on two basic ideas

  1. Focussing on what makes us happy can bring us to greater heights of joy and fulfilment than focussing solely on the problems we wish to solve. This is the philosophy inherent in Positive Psychology.
  2. Happiness, like any other emotional state, is not an isolated phenomenon – it affects, and is affected by, the people around us. To reach fulfilment we must work towards enhancing the happiness of all, using love, compassion and gratitude. This social happiness philosophy is consistent with the principles of Deep Ecology.

Stephanie Hills has thirty years’ experience working with people in distress, both as a social worker and a counsellor.

A large part of her work has comprised using narrative and art therapy to help people move on from depression. While still helping people facing difficulties, Stephanie’s work has broadened to include the promotion and enhancement of individual and social happiness.

Using the principles of Positive Psychology and Deep Ecology, she assists individuals and groups to improve their functioning in various life spheres, taking into account the social, cultural, economic and environmental context of people’s lives.

  • Silly advice?

    A friend suggested putting horse manure on my strawberries. I’m never doing that again! I’m going back to whipped cream. My mum told me to put on a clean pair of socks every day. By the end of the week I couldn’t get my shoes on.

  • Fear of trying new things

    I heard on the radio recently that a significant number of New Zealand 12-year-olds refrain from an activity they would like to do, out of fear that they won’t be good at it. That’s sad, not just because kids are missing out on something they might enjoy, but also because avoiding things you’re nervous about […]

  • Finding the way

    A little boy waiting for his mother was approached by a man who asked, “Son, can you tell me where the Post Office is?” The little boy replied, “Sure! Just go straight down this street two blocks and turn to your right.” The man thanked the boy kindly and said, “I’m the new pastor in […]

  • The Resilience Project; Finding Happiness Through Gratitude, Empathy & Mindfulness

    by Hugh van Cuylenberg In this heartwarming book, author Hugh van Cuylenburg tells how he went from a typical Australian kid with no understanding of his sister’s struggles with an eating disorder, to a man with a passion to help young people become happier and more mentally well. His own reflections and his experiences teaching […]

  • Humour as a Re-visioning Strategy

    One of the ways that people make us laugh is through observations that highlight the absurdity of a situation. Example: I want to be unique and different, just like everybody else. Humour approaches a subject from an unexpected angle; it’s a form of lateral thinking. As such, I’ve found that it can be a powerful […]

Stephanie Hills

Promoting Individual and Social Happiness

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