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.

  • Trust is earned, not owed

    Banks warn us: don’t share your PINs or passwords. Don’t click on unknown links. Be wary of offers that sound too good to be true. It’s sensible to assume that strangers are not to be trusted until they prove otherwise. Yet when it comes to people close to us, we can be pressured to offer […]

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  • Aroha: Māori wisdom for a contented life lived in harmony with our planet

    Aroha: Māori wisdom for a contented life lived in harmony with our planet.                                                                        By Dr Hinemoa Elder Divided into 52 sections, each expanding on a Māori saying, this is a book to be dipped into rather than read from front to back. Some of the proverbs are traditional whakataukī; others are whakatauākī, (which are sayings […]

  • That’s life today…

    At the bank, I told the cashier, “I’d like to open a joint account please.”“OK, with whom?”“Someone with lots of money.” * * * * Last night I got so drunk, I walked across the dance floor to get another drink and won the dance contest. * * * * When I drink alcohol, everyone […]

  • Same behaviour, different meaning

    A client of mine came to realise that in his most difficult moments, he would start mindlessly watching K-pop videos on his phone, unable to concentrate on anything else. Once he was aware of it, the compulsion to watch videos became a clue, alerting him that he was avoiding something. He could then tune in […]

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  • Courtesy on our roads

    Shout out to the courteous drivers out there.  We tend to remember the rude ones, but considerate drivers are all around us. Just this week I’ve had vehicles make space for me to pull out of a service station into heavy traffic, and to back out of a space in a crowded parking lot. Without […]

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Stephanie Hills

Promoting Individual and Social Happiness

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