A Ripple Story…
Nikolai Romanov
Disability Community Support Worker,
WLAC Whitsundays Leisure Activity Centre
Nicolai applies positive psychology in his community work by designing and delivering inclusive wellbeing programmes that emphasise strengths, identity, and belonging, drawing on his Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing to support neurodivergent individuals, seniors, and people with disabilities to build confidence, connection, and a life that honours their natural ways of being.
Airlie Beach, Australia
Alumni:
🎓 Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing
What drew you to study the Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing?
"What drew me to study this particular course was my search for a different type of psychology, not clinical or traditional."
I’m working for a not-for-profit organisation, WLAC Whitsundays Leisure Activity Centre. Our purpose is to combat loneliness by offering group activities and providing a welcoming community space for seniors and people with disabilities. One of my roles is to promote physical and mental wellbeing.
At the centre, I lead a group with a personal trainer each week, and on Wednesdays, I run a drum therapy session to support cognitive function and overall wellbeing. My role focuses on guided independence, helping our participants live more independently through our in-home support services. These services are delivered under the NDIS and My Aged Care. Additionally, I support community engagement by connecting participants with local activities and outings.
I decided to complete this Diploma to gain credibility in my work. My driving force was to create more programmes and pursue a more holistic approach to mental health and wellbeing within the field of neurodiversity, a viewpoint that understands differences in brain function as normal variations. The neurodiversity paradigm, fused with a positive psychology approach, differs from the mainstream medical diagnosis model by shifting the focus from a deficit-based view of disorder to a strength-based view of a more natural variation, whereas the traditional medical model treats the pathology, and in some cases, this is needed, yet the majority can be addressed through positive psychology practice.
These approaches provide tools and techniques to help individuals use affirming language and identity-first language, which encourage self-acceptance, self-advocacy, and thriving. My programmes will focus on environmental accommodations that allow participants to thrive and build a life that honours their natural needs and rhythm, which also will address occurring mental health challenges like anxiety, for example, that arise from stigma rather than the core neurodivergence.
How was your experience studying this course?
"It helped define my direction, providing the science to give me confidence to help those in my community in the best, most positive way."
I completed the Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing, delivered via virtual live learning. I started this course in September 2024, and it was one of the best decisions I have made. It affirmed, inspired, and empowered me to know that I am on the right track in both my professional and personal life journeys.
I was amazed at the accuracy of the Strengths Profile tool and the Work on Wellbeing report, and how well they aligned with me. What resonated with me was the science behind the theories and the fact that they answered more questions about my learning as I grew up. With each unit I completed, I was able to place my not-so-ordinary upbringing into context, align the learning with my values and morals, deepen my understanding of human nature, and actively apply my own perspective and way of seeing the world.
How are you spreading positive ripples in your world?
"In 2026, I plan to integrate positive psychology practice into my new neurodivergence programme."
My pilot programme is to build a safe and inclusive community for autistic people through Positive Psychology. A community group where they can encourage, learn skills, and support each other. For individuals from 17 to 50 years of age who deal with Autism, ADHD, speech impediments, dyslexia and dyscalculia, which affect a person’s ability to understand, learn and perform.
For example, dyslexia and dyscalculia are classified as learning disorders in medical and diagnostic frameworks. From a neurodiversity perspective, however, they are understood as different ways of processing language or numbers, with distinct strengths and challenges, reflecting a growth-oriented view rather than a deficit-based one.
Inspired by Nikolai's ripple story?
Discover how positive psychology, grounded in strengths, meaning, and a neurodiversity-affirming approach, can be applied in real and practical ways to support people with disabilities, just as Nikolai does in his community-based work.
Join our next Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing or Certificate IV in Wellbeing Science intake and learn how evidence-based tools can strengthen your confidence, credibility, and impact, while creating positive ripples across your workplace and community.
Enquire here or book a call to learn more.