Jean Cottraux is notably the author of the very successful Les Visiteurs du soi (2004) and La Répétition des scénarios de vie (2001). A hospital psychiatrist, he was the director of the anxiety treatment unit at the teaching hospital of Lyon. A former president of the European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapy, he is a Founding Fellow of Philadelphia’s Academy of Cognitive Therapy and the honorary president of the Association Francophone de Formation et de Recherche en Thérapie Comportementale et Cognitive (a French-speakers’ association for training and research in behavioural and cognitive therapies).
His works include Les Ennemis intérieurs (1998) and A chacun sa créativité (2010).


What is the secret of “strong” individuals? What are the values that guide them and illuminate their lives? What are the character traits that enable them to live in harmony with themselves? How to lead a successful life? Does psychological strength result in happiness?

Jean Cottraux proposes here an original method of personal transformation known as Positive Psychology. This new scientifically based approach emphasises the need to discover our character strengths and to learn to use them as protection against doubt, depression and anxiety, so that we can finally start living in harmony with ourselves.

• An essay that also describes an original method of personal transformation: How can we find and learn to use our inner strengths in order to enhance our lives and well-being? What can we do to overcome repetitive life scenarios?

• Little known because it is so recent, Positive Psychology approaches problems from a practical perspective, concentrating on those character strengths that are already present in a given individual rather than stressing negative personality traits.

• The solutions given here are the outcome of the author’s own experience as a psychotherapist, teacher and scientist, and of the latest international research in psychology and the cognitive therapies.