The balance model of positive psychotherapy

Four areas of health, energy distribution and conflict response

Nossrat Peseschkian’s “balance model” is known as the “heart” of positive psychotherapy and is used in different settings. It is also referred to as the “diamond model”, “four qualities of life”, “four ways of conflict management” or “the four ways or media of cognitive ability”.

The balance model is based on the view that there are essentially four large areas of life in which people live and work. These areas influence his life satisfaction, his self-esteem, his handling of conflicts and challenges and shape his personality in the here and now.

The model is based on the holistic view of man of positive psychotherapy. In this context we speak of biological-physical, rational-intellectual, socio-emotional and spiritual-spiritual spheres and abilities of humans. Although the potential for all four skills is inherent in everyone, education, the environment and socialization emphasize some and neglect others. (…) Nossrat Peseschkian sees a balance of life energy, divided into the four areas body – performance – contact – sense, as a favorable condition for health and resilience.

Source: Positive Psychotherapie (Reihe: Wege der Psychotherapie), H. Peseschkian / A. Remmers, 2013, Ernst Reinhardt Verlag, München, S. 41-42.