Dr. Peggy DeLong, Psychologist, Coach, Speaker & Author
Dr. Peggy DeLong is a clinical and forensic psychologist, keynote speaker, and author who helps individuals cultivate resilience, navigate grief, and experience lasting joy—no matter what life brings. Known as The Gratitude Psychologist, Dr. Peggy combines evidence-based tools with the healing powers of nature, gratitude, and human connection to support emotional wellbeing.
After losing both her fiancé and father within six weeks at the age of 26, Dr. Peggy discovered the transformative power of feeling and processing emotional pain. Rather than turning away from grief, she leaned into it—and used everyday, brain-based tools to climb her way back to joy. Her lived experience now fuels her work with clients, readers, and audiences across the country.
Whether she’s guiding women through life transitions, delivering engaging talks on the science of happiness and resilience, or writing about emotional healing through nature and gratitude, Dr. Peggy empowers others to prioritize mental health and live with meaning, peace, and purpose.
She is the author of I Can See Clearly Now: A Memoir about Love, Grief, and Gratitude and FEELING GOOD: 35 Proven Ways to Happiness, Even During Tough Times. Through her work, Dr. Peggy reminds us that healing is possible—and joy is always within reach.
Show Notes
Episode Highlights:
- Meet Dr. Peggy DeLong: Licensed psychologist, speaker, and coach specializing in gratitude practices for mental health, especially for midlife women. She’s the founder of Peaceful Present Future Flourish and the “Midlife Awakening Sisterhood.”
- You Cannot Heal What You Don’t Feel: Dr. Peggy shares wisdom inspired by Edith Eger, emphasizing the importance of allowing yourself to feel and process emotions in order to truly heal. Suppressing emotions leads to emotional numbness and lack of joy.
- Power of Gratitude: Peggy explains how a gratitude practice can improve not only mental health but also immune and cardiac health, sleep, leadership, and resilience. Gratitude is free, accessible, and scientifically proven to rewire your brain (neuroplasticity) for more positive thinking—at any age.
- Resilience as a Muscle: Dr. Peggy introduces the idea that resilience is like a muscle you can strengthen through fun, manageable challenges—like trying new things, even stepping outside your comfort zone in small, enjoyable ways.
- Dealing with Life’s Chaos in Midlife: The discussion centers on how midlife can bring unexpected chaos. Dr. Peggy shares tips and frameworks (like her “Prioritize Peace” method) to help women find joy, connection, and purpose during this stage.
- The Five Pillars of the “Prioritize Peace” Method:
P: Positivity
E: Exercise (movement)
A: Achievement (redefining what achievement means, often aligned with self-care)
C: Connection
E: Empathy (especially self-compassion) - Challenging Toxic Positivity: Dr. Peggy cautions against the oversimplification of happiness-as-a-choice. Genetics and life events impact our happiness level, and it’s important to honor all emotions—including grief and sadness—rather than defaulting to forced positivity.
- Embracing Emotional Check-ins: Learn the value of regular emotional check-ins and expanding your feelings vocabulary. Feeling and processing emotion is essential for regaining access to authentic joy.
- Joy Planning: Dr. Peggy shares her “joy plan” idea—making lists of activities that bring joy, grouped by the time they require, and planning ahead to ensure you integrate these moments into your life.
- Walking is Powerful: Don’t diminish simple actions like walking by calling it “just a walk”—it’s one of the best things you can do for mental and physical health!
Resources & Links:
- Free 5-Day Gratitude Challenge: Start practicing gratitude with Dr. Peggy’s daily email series – drpeggydelong.com/thegratefulday
- Learn more about Dr. Peggy DeLong and her coaching, retreats, and programs: peacefulpresentfutureflourish.com
Key Quotes:
- “You cannot heal what you don’t feel.”
- “Gratitude is the most powerful thing I’ve come across as a mental health professional—and it’s free.”
- “Resilience is a muscle, and you can build it in fun, manageable ways.”
- “Happiness is not always a choice—genetics and life circumstances play a role.”
- “Joy isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.”
