Scientifically Linked to Happiness

An interview with Dr. Jeff Perron

Dr. Jeff Perron is a clinical psychologist trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Schema Therapy, specializing in helping individuals overcome depression and anxiety while aligning their lives with personal values. Recently, he’s also focused on positive psychology and what helps people thrive. Stoic principles play a key role in his work, emphasizing values-based living and letting go of unnecessary control. Jeff shares these insights and practical guides at The Psychology of Happiness on Substack.

Dr. Perron will be presenting his talk From Rage to Sage: Exploring Schema Therapy's Angry Child Mode at our upcoming virtual event The Philosophy and Psychology of Anger Sat, March 22nd 12-4pm EST. Spots still available!

How did you first become interested in Philosophy?

My first exposure to Stoicism was reading Meditations, and it quickly became clear how well Stoicism aligns with CBT - something authors like Donald Robertson have highlighted. This shouldn’t be surprising given that some of CBT’s early developers were deeply influenced by the Stoics and I sometimes wonder what an alternate reality would look like if we had simply run clinical trials on Stoicism instead of developing CBT. Either way, Stoic principles - especially their emphasis on core values and flexible, effective management of thoughts - are central to both my clinical work and my personal philosophy.

What are the most important concepts or ideas that you teach others?

One of the biggest ideas I teach is that “thoughts aren’t reality.” Our minds can generate all kinds of unhelpful stories, but we don’t have to take them at face value. My goal is to help people live in line with their core values, not the stories our minds tell ourselves. Stoicism is a big help in guiding clients through this process - it aligns with modern concepts like growth mindset and the pursuit of meaning and purpose as keys to a fulfilling life.

Do you have a favorite quote that you use?

I don’t get points for uniqueness here, but the Serenity Prayer has to be at the top of the list:

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

The quote is attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr, an American theologian, but its exact origin is apparently unclear.

For me, it captures a key part of the ethos of a values-based life - what you control is trying to live your values as best you can, that’s it. I find the quote empowering because it acknowledges that you don’t have to control everything and it validates that making the distinction between what we do and don’t control can be tough.

What advice would you give someone who wanted to learn more about what you do?

This is part of why I love writing - it allows me to communicate the skills I teach my clients to a broader audience. I’m a big proponent of self-help because having a tangible, step-by-step guide can make a huge difference in navigating personal growth. I’m the author of The Psychology of Happiness on Substack, where I share practical insights and written guides to help people apply psychological principles to their own lives.

Suppose you were able to give a talk or workshop at the original location of Plato’s Academy, in Athens.

It’s interesting to imagine teaching at the original site of Plato’s Academy! In a sense, it would feel like "coming full circle" to some of the philosophical origins of the CBT I teach today. The Academy represents a long lineage of values-based thinking and it would also be an opportunity to reflect on the deep connection between ancient philosophy and modern psychological practices.

What question would you like to leave us to think about?

One question I often find myself pondering is: What would it look like if we all embraced a set of values that are scientifically linked to happiness, such as focusing on what we can control and building meaningful social connections with people we’re compatible with?

Research in positive psychology consistently shows that certain practices - like learned optimism and avoiding cognitive traps, especially those related to emotional predictions and attachment - contribute to increased mental well-being. This is where Stoicism and modern evidence-based practices align: the Stoic emphasis on focusing on what we can control and cultivating virtues mirrors some of the practices shown to contribute to well-being. Plus, the act of living in alignment with your own values - once you’ve identified what truly matters to you, not what others think you should value - is, in itself, a happiness intervention. To that end, I recommend reflecting on what you truly value, integrating the research on happiness, and developing a set of intrinsic values to guide your life, free from external expectations.