Positive Discipline is based on Adlerian Psychology
and was created by Dr. Jane Nelsen and Lynn Lott.

Rooted in relationships, the Positive Discipline model is based on the pioneering teachings of Austrian psychiatrist Dr. Alfred Adler and Dr. Rudolf Dreikurs and is backed by up to date neuroscience research.

The focus of conventional parenting and classroom discipline approaches is on managing children’s behaviour through rewards and/ or punishment. Positive Discipline is neither permissive nor punitive and instead teaches adults how to encourage children through connection, focusing on strengths and the explicit modeling / teaching of life skills.

Deceptively simple, the Positive Discipline approach is encouraging to adults and children alike through its promotion of the Adlerian concept of Gemeinschaftsgefühl - this is a lived sense of belonging, connection, and contribution and is essential for growth and wellbeing.

Austrian medical doctor, psychotherapist and founder of Adlerian psychology (known also as Individual Psychology). Adler held equality, social justice and civil rights, mutual respect, and the advancement of democracy as core values. He was one of the first to provide family and group counseling and to use pub-lic education as an effective way to address community health.

“A child's greatest motivation in life is the desire to belong"

“Children who have not been taught to confront challenges will try to avoid all challenges.”

“Overcoming difficulties leads to courage, self-respect, and knowing yourself.”

Austrian psychiatrist and innovative educator who developed Adler's system of Individual psychology into a pragmatic and easy to understand method for understanding child behavior. Dreikurs was strongly committed to the value of community counseling and empowering parents and teachers with knowledge and approaches that led to more mutually respectful and collaborative relationships.

“We cannot protect our children from life. Therefore, it is essential that we prepare them for it.”

"Children need encouragement just as plants need water.
They can’t thrive without it"

Licensed Marriage, Family and Child counselor. Author and co-author of the renowned Positive Discipline series of books and teaching manuals and co-founder of the Positive Discipline Association with members in over 60 countries worldwide.

"Where did we ever get the crazy idea that in order to make children do better, first we have to make them feel worse?

"Mistakes are wonderful opportunities to learn"

Founder of Encouragement Consulting Workshops and co-founder of the Positive Discipline Association, licensed family therapist and author of 25 parenting and self help books. Lott helped to create and develop the PD workshop model with its unique experiential activities which have become the hallmark of Positive Discipline workshops around the world.

“The more you help others feel encouraged, the more you improve the quality of your own life”

“People learn best when they experience activities rather than when they read or listen to lectures”