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.

  • Comfort discourages heroism

    Heroes overcome obstacles. Whether it’s a passerby who risks danger to save others in a one-off incident, or a human rights campaigner working tirelessly over a lifetime, a hero doesn’t take the easy road. Most of us don’t aspire to be heroes; we leave that for exceptional human beings. We prefer to mind our own […]

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  • School counsellors do a great job

    Gizelle writes: “I would like to make a shoutout to my school counsellors who are so kind and work sooooo hard to help us here at my school. They are the most caring and hard-working people I’ve ever met. I know one of them reads Happy Nation newsletters and tells us all about it.” Thanks […]

  • The art of medicine

    An artist rang the gallery owner to ask if there had been any interest in her paintings that were on display. “Well, I have good news and bad news,” said the gallery owner. “The good news is that a gentleman noticed your work and wondered if it would appreciate in value after your death. I […]

  • Take a moment

    When something confronting or difficult happens, we might react with anger, upset, fear or despondency.  Our reactions can seem so automatic that we fail to recognise that moment – perhaps a split second – between what happened and our response. It’s during that moment that our response is determined. Living a more satisfying and self-determined […]

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  • Nature Connection: A Handbook of Practices for Therapy and Self-Exploration

    Nature Connection: a handbook of practices for therapy and self-exploration                                    by Margaret Kerr and Jana Lemke This thin volume, small enough almost to fit into one hand, contains a plethora of ideas for connecting with nature. From crawling through long grass and imagining life from the perspective of a small creature, to sitting quietly under […]

Stephanie Hills

Promoting Individual and Social Happiness

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