Log in
Forgot password
 
 
 
 
 
 

Elaine O’Brien

 

Member profile details

First name
Elaine
Last name
O’Brien
 

My Story

The Change I Want to See in the World
My hope is my Love, Peace, Health, Comfort, and Respect for the People.
Books That Greatly Influenced My Life
VIA Strengths; Sit, Write, Share; Wire Your Brain for Confidence, Creating Your Best Life
Fun Facts About Me
I am the author of "SplashDance: What A Feeling - Aqua Fitness Meets Positive Psychology" AND co-author of "The Power of Play: Optimize Your Joy Potential." I'm currently researching and writing "The Power of Play at Work," coming 2025. I was honored, along with Dr. Ellen Cole, to be the Invited MAPP Summit Alumni Speaker, 2022, where I presented on "Zesty Aging." I earned my MAPP degree 29! years after my B.A. in Urban/Outdoor Recreation and Psychology. I earned my PhD in Human Movement Psychology from Temple University in my 60s. I just wrote my first book, The Power of Play: Optimize Your Joy Potential, and am thrilled to share.
 

Personal information

Bio
Dr. Elaine O’Brien is one of the most informed academics and practitioners on the intersection of the Science of Happiness, Well-Being, Human Movement Psychology, Thriving Health, Lifestyle as Medicine, the Body and Positive Embodiment, Aging Well through the Lifespan, and Personal / Community Fitness.

Elaine is one of the first 100 people in the world to earn a 2008 master’s degree in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) under Dr. Martin Seligman. Elaine was acknowledged by Dr. Seligman in his 2012 book Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-Being, for her contributions to the “MAPP Program” and to “Positive Health.” Recently, Dr. Seligman stated that Dr. O’Brien’s work “advances the role of the body and positive movement in helping people achieve flourishing mental health, physical fitness, and positivity.” Dr. O'Brien earned a 2015 PhD in Kinesiology, Human Movement Psychology from Temple University, and holds a B.A. summa cum laude in Urban / Outdoor / Social Recreation and Psychology. Elaine was the MAPP Summit 2022 Invited Alumni Speaker presenting on "Zesty Aging!"

Dr. O’Brien, an award-winning international Health/Fitness Industry Leader, who collaborated with IDEA Foundation industry leaders for the development of the first Fitness industry leadership, standards, and certification guidelines in cooperation with Educational Testing Services. Elaine was also a National Aerobics Championship Judge/Trainer/Liaison/Communications and Feedback specialist for over 10 years during the DanceSports heyday.

Elaine believes in the power of education around Applied Positive Psychology, including Positive Exercise Practices (PEP) and Positive Fitness as good medicine. Our thoughtful intentional positive thoughts, value clarification, and actions can lead us to a happier healthier life and world. Elaine enjoys music, dancing, travel, the outdoors, film, reading, playing, spending time with Lianna, John, and especially walking daily on the beach whenever she can with Sean and Lola, their Sato puppy from Puerto Rico.

Elaine O’Brien, Ph.D., and Andrea Seydel are thrilled to bring you The Power of Play: Optimize Your Joy Potential. This book can safeguard your physical and mental health and make you a better lover of life. The art and science of Play Positively Matters

See more about Elaine O’Brien, Ph.D., here: https://elaineobrienphd.com
Photo
 

Professional Information

Employer
Elaine O’Brien, PhD
Job title
Founder
Logo
Primary Focus
Author, SplashDance: What a Feeling: Aqua Fitness Meets Positive Psychology

Health, Vitality, Positive Group Leadership, Training, Coaching

Advancing applied positive psychology, wellbeing and fitness science through teaching, writing, consulting, designing program, and training leaders across domains.

ColAuthor of "The Power of Play: Optimize Your Joy Potential, 11/22.

Currently teaching a course I developed for the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Master of Applied Positive Psychology Program, "Applying Positive Psychology Across the Lifespan, 2022-2023
Primary Focus Details
(Positive) Psychology of Human Movement. Temple University Kinesiology Fellowship/Instructor.

Positive Psychology Across the Lifespan

Positive Project Management

Positive Movement as Therapy, Older Adults, Women's Health and Fitness, Appreciative Community Dance Exercise, Dance for the Non-Dancer, Motivation and Positive Determination and Performance at Home, Work, Sport and Play.

Temple University Doctoral Dissertation: "Positive, Active, Older, but Youthful Women and "FitDance: Uplifting Motivation and Adherence in Community Dance Exercise
Professional Area
  • Business
  • Education
  • Fitness
  • Medicine
Active Professional Interests
  • Appreciative Inquiry
  • Business
  • Civic engagement
  • Coaching
  • Consulting
  • Divorce
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Family/Parents
  • Health / Physical well-being / fitness
  • Health Care
  • Human Resources
  • Humanities
  • Large-scale policy
  • Law
  • Media
  • Mindfulness
  • Old age
  • Post-secondary / higher education
  • PTSD
  • Spirituality
  • Sports
  • Therapy
  • Wellness coaching
  • Yoga
Professional Skills
  • Career Development
  • Consulting
  • Entertainment
  • Facilitating groups
  • Leadership development
  • Personnel management
  • Project Management
  • Radio host
  • Research design
  • Speaking
  • Teaching resilience
  • Writing
Coach Training
  • Professional Certification
Fluent in Languages
  • English
Certifications
Certified Consumer Wellness Advocate / Coach
Group Fitness Leadership, Lifestyle and Weight Management: Gold Certified, IDEA Foundation
Personal Training: IDEA Foundation
Arthritis Exercise: Arthritis Foundation
CPR: American Red Cross
CAPP: Certificate for Applied Positive Psychology
Lifeguard Training, Fall 2024
 

Education

Degrees After MAPP
PhD, Psychology of Human Movement: Kinesiology, Temple University

"Positive Psychology across cultures and contexts," University of Oslo, Norway Social Science Summer School taught by Dr. Antonella Delle Fave. Certificate.
Degrees Before MAPP
B.A. Psychology, and Urban/Outdoor Recreation, Summa Cum Laude.

Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society

Lambda Alpha Sigma Honor Society
 

Social Media

 

Speaking Experience

Interested in Speaking Referrals
Yes
Speaking Topics
SplashDance: What a Feeling! - Aqua Fitness Meets Positive Psychology
The Power Of Play: Optimize Your Joy Potential
The Power of Play at Work - Signature Program
Zesty Aging
Applying Positive Psychology Across the Lifespan
Positive Determination and Motivation,
Mind, Body And Soul Fitness
Reducing Loneliness and Despair
High Performance Living and Loving
Aging And Change: A Positive Legacy
Positive Emotion and Meaning in Motion,
The Qualitative Research Turn,
Breathing Positive Psychology,
Healthspan: Lifestyle as Good Medicine,
Movement Psychology: I Like the Way You Move
Understanding Yourself and Others
How to Succeed and Win: High Performance
Experience speaking to large audiences
Yes
Video Clips and Recommendations
Happier.TV with Elaine O’Brien and Tal Ben-Shahar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akpkODkazUo

Elaine O’Brien: "Want An Energy Break," Podcast with Michelle McQuaid, Making Positive Psychology Work
 

Publications

Blog logo
Book 1 Cover
Book 1 Title
The Power of Play: Optimize Your Joy Potential
Book 2 Cover
Book 2 Title
SplashDance: What a Feeling! Aqua Fitness Meets Positive Psychology
Book 3 Cover
Book 3 Title
Contributor, Positive Health, Flourishing Lives: Wellbeing for Doctors, by Dr. Marsha Snyder, M.D., MAPP
Additional Books
Contributor
Resilient Grieving by Dr. Lucy Hone
Thriving Women, Thriving World
MAPP 2008 Positive Psychology Intervenetions
Media: Radio, TV, or podcasts
Happier.TV with Elaine O’Brien and Tal Ben-Shahar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akpkODkazUo

Elaine O’Brien: "Want An Energy Break," Podcast with Michelle McQuaid, Making Positive Psychology Work: https://www.michellemcquaid.com/podcast/want-energy-boost-podcast-elaine-obrien/
Journal Articles
O'Brien, E. "Move2Love: Vibrant Aging Via Encouraging Community Dance Fitness" for the American Psychological Association Journal of Women and Therapy: Positive Aging.

IDEA Association for Fitness Professionals O’Brien, E. (2013). Senior Fitness: Applying the PERMA Model for Success in Older Adult Fitness Settings. IDEA Fitness Journal. 4 (6), 72–79.

Positive Psychology News Daily: http://positivepsychologynews.com/news/elaine-obrien
Capstone title and abstract
Breathing Positive Psychology: Positive Exercise Practices (PEP) and Movement for the Greater Good
Dissertation Title and Link
Doctoral Dissertation: "Positive, Active, Older, but Youthful Women and "FitDance: Uplifting Motivation and Adherence in Community Dance Exercise
Links to Online Publications
Co-creator, Body Full of Joy, University of Pennsylvania MAPP Alumni: https://mappalum.org/Body-Full-of-Joy

O’Brien, E. (2015). Positive, Active, Older, but Youthful Women and FITDANCE: Uplifting Community Dance Exercise. Dissertaton, Temple University. Abstract.

https://elaineobrienphd.com

O’Brien, E. (2016). Move2Love and Vibrancy: Community Dance/Fitness. Women & Therapy, 39(1-2), 171-185. Abstract.



O’Brien, E. (2013). Senior Fitness: Applying the PERMA Model for Success in Older Adult Fitness Settings. IDEA Fitness Journal. 4 (6), 72–79.











PPND: http://positivepsychologynews.com/news/elaine-obrien
 

Contact data

Province/State
NJ
Country
USA
MAPP Geography
  • USA - NYC Area
  • USA - Philadelphia Area
 

MAPP Information

MAPP Graduation Year
2008
Class Rep
No
Committee Membership
Programs, Social, Membership
Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software