Certainly, the rise of positive psychology and strength-based counseling constitutes an encouraging development. But these basically affirm what we already know: that focusing on client assets, talents and competencies provides the best path for recovery. But how, exactly? Though upbeat, questions such as “What's your favorite movie?” are not enough.

In this regard, an important, largely untapped resource for counselors is “peak-experiences.” First articulated by psychologist Abraham Maslow, they offer an accessible avenue for optimizing our clients' self-regard, personal responsibility and motivation for positive change. This article highlights how peaks can be integrated into addiction counseling.

What are peak-experiences?

More than 60 years ago, Maslow discovered the existence of peak-experiences when studying people with superb mental health: those whom he later called “self-actualized.”1 Much to his initial surprise, these individuals reported often having moments of great joy and fulfillment in everyday life. The healthier they seemed psychologically, the more frequently they had these moments.

As a result, Maslow asserted that peak-experiences indicate the presence of mental well-being—and often yield major benefits that include:

• Losing, even temporarily, fear, anxiety, perplexity and confusion. Most salient is a loss of fearfulness and a corresponding gain of what Alfred Adler called “the courage to change”2;

• Resolving or transcending life's dichotomies, polarities and conflicts. That is, situations that seemed “black or white” become resolvable or capable of fusion;

• Gaining a greater sense of one's ability to act in the world and take responsibility for oneself and others, rather than wallow in passivity;

• Learning that happiness and joy really exist, and at least in principle are readily available. As a corollary, one learns that life can be personally worthwhile, valuable and even beautiful; and

• Feeling lucky, fortunate, or graced. That is, one typically feels intense gratitude. Emanating from this mood is an impulse to do something good for the world: an eagerness to repay in some way, and at times even a yearning for commitment and dedication.3

During peak-experiences, individuals often have the sensation of seeing their daily life as though “from a great height—and gaining an extraordinary sense of clarity and insight. They often report the feeling that a fog has suddenly been lifted—a fog so pervasive that its very presence had been forgotten. People, events and decisions loom in a new, more hopeful light.

Are peak-experiences, then, religious in nature? As a scientist, Maslow preferred to view peaks as natural mental phenomena, triggered by certain situations in ordinary living.4 But he respected those who saw such moments as divine—that is, sent by God. And, no doubt, some clients will take that view.

What triggers peak-experiences?

Maslow was keenly interested in what triggered these exhilarating mental states. He reported that peaks could be triggered by such diverse experiences as falling in love, seeing nature's beauty, engaging in creative or challenging work, learning a new skill, altruistically helping a loved one, and being inspired by music or art.

He also found that the presence of babies often induced parental peaks, especially for women. Indeed, Maslow noted that men generally experienced peaks through achievement and public recognition, whereas women's peaks were more often linked to affection and affiliative joy.5 Of course, women's roles have changed a great deal, and today gender differences with regard to peak-experiences are less salient. It also seems likely that the type of peak we experience relates at least partially to our individual temperament—for example, the strength of our need for aesthetics or companionship.

In collaborative cross-cultural research over the past five years, I have studied youthful peaks in foreign countries as diverse as Brazil, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, Norway and Venezuela. In all of them, individuals have peak-experiences, though cultural differences do exist. People in collectivist, Asian and Hispanic/Latino cultures more frequently report peaks of “interpersonal joy—usually involving family, peer group, or close friends. In contrast, Americans' peaks are more individualistic.6

My colleagues and I also have discovered several new categories of youthful peak-experience. These include “developmental landmark” episodes, typically involving a sudden stride from childhood to adolescence, and “serenity” moments, characterized by a sense of great calmness and inner peace. The latter category emerged in our recent study of youthful peaks among Chinese.7

Just as Maslow and his colleagues found in the United States, international research confirms that peaks often have lasting psychological benefit, such as increasing self-efficacy, social confidence, commitment to others, interest or dedication to a particular vocation, and overall personality integration.

Eliciting peaks in counseling

How can addiction counselors specifically utilize peak-experiences to help clients? Convinced of their usefulness with this population, Maslow stated, “We are beginning to find out…that drug addicts, who are killing a part of themselves slowly, will give up drugs…if you offer them instead some meaning in their lives. Psychologists have described alcoholics as being fundamentally depressed, basically bored with life.”5 The following tips reflect my own experience in individual and group work.

In individual counseling, some individuals are immediately willing to recount peaks in their lives, while others are more reticent. Self-disclosure does not come easily to everyone. Ironically, those with a victimization mindset might find it more difficult to share joyful memories than painful or even traumatic ones. There is also evidence that men are more likely to suppress experiences of tenderness and vulnerability than are women, and to hesitate in sharing such episodes. This tendency seems especially common with addiction clients. To help “break the ice,” it is useful to:

• Share a personal peak-experience, preferably one that resonates with your client's own interests. For example, if your client enjoys outdoor camping, search your memory for a wonderful time you had in the woods or by the seashore.

• Help your client to understand what made the experience so satisfying and powerful. For example, did it affirm a talent, increase self-confidence, or mark a new stage of development?

• Encourage your client to examine how the peak offers direction for positive change and growth. For example, a powerful experience with nature might have vocational or volunteer-work implications.

Are there contra-indications for using peaks in individual counseling? First establishing trust is vital, and few clients will be sufficiently open for meaningful dialogue in its absence. In this context, it is certainly worthwhile to pose simple questions such as “What's your favorite cuisine?” before getting more probing. Some clients will initially deny ever having had a peak-experience—possible, but unlikely. In such situations, it is best to avoid an argument and reply, “Well, maybe something will come back in your memory at another time.” Almost invariably, this proves to be the case.

In group counseling, all groups have their own atmosphere. Depending on the personalities of its members, a group might initially show much or little openness to the sharing of peak-experiences. Inevitably, some members will tend to dominate discussions by recounting many peaks or unnecessary details. Other members will be reluctant to contribute anything personally, usually due to fear of ridicule in sharing tender emotions. Here are some ways to maximize your group's effectiveness:

• Begin by explaining what peak-experiences are and why they're important. It is useful to mention some specific triggers found by researchers, such as those involving nature or skill mastery such as learning to drive. To encourage self-disclosure, begin by sharing a peak-experience from your own life. Indicate how this experience benefited you, such as in increasing your self-confidence or closeness with another.

• Encourage group members to recount their own peaks. Set an informal time limit for each speaker—five minutes per description is reasonable—to prevent domination. Keep speakers on track by asking how they felt during the peak, what made the experience so wonderful, and how it affected their subsequent outlook or behavior.

• After all volunteers have shared a peak-experience, encourage suggestions on how members can enjoy more peak moments in daily life. Guiding questions can include: How important is it to be relaxed and receptive? What hinders or blocks their occurrence? How can we best integrate peaks after we have experienced them?

Are there any contra-indications in group sessions for discussing peaks? Just as when counseling individuals, it is important to stress that peak-experiences are never an endpoint. Seeking them too eagerly is akin to the self-destructiveness of looking for the “perpetual high.”

Traversing peaks in counseling

It is often exhilarating for clients when a peak-experience is brought back into conscious awareness. Yet the real benefit comes from integrating these moments of joy and clarity into present living. In this regard, as Maslow suggested, they can solidify and catalyze personal growth.

Once elicited fully in session, how can peaks be utilized in ongoing counseling? Here are three useful ways:

1. As a vital element in relaxation training to increase resilience. Stress takes an emotional and physical toll on everyone, and certainly for those struggling with addiction. In relaxation training, encourage your clients to use their peak-experience as an “anchor” for inner strength and well-being. Focusing on sensory cues associated with the peak, such as colors, sounds, fragrances and bodily feelings, helps to amplify the positive memory.

2. As a direct connection to mindfulness. “How do I make a new peak-experience?” is a valid question that clients often raise. A relevant answer is that peaks are most likely to occur when we're immersed in the present moment, rather than dwelling in the past or worrying about the future. By teaching mindfulness, you are not only likely to increase your clients' frequency of peaks, but also to enhance their overall mental well-being.8,9

3. As a focus of bibliotherapy. Maslow discovered that when he presented examples of peaks, many people often suddenly recalled a long-forgotten episode from their own lives. He reasoned that hearing about another's peak had given crucial encouragement or even validation about the authenticity of one's own moments of great fulfillment. Inspirational biographies and memoirs such as Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning are a source of peak-experiences that your clients can draw upon for personal empowerment.10

Peak-experiences are not an end in themselves. Rather, these moments of wonderful happiness and joy are a signpost—providing invaluable direction on life's journey.