WeCOPE is an evidence-based program that helps adults cope with life stress. WeCOPE is based on the work of Dr. Judith Moskowitz and has been shown to reduce stress and depression, increase positive affect, and improve health behaviors in randomized trials. Dr. Moskowitz’s work is based on the research that even in the context of life stress such as serious illness or death of a loved one, positive emotions can and do occur and have unique coping correlates and adaptive consequences. For example, among people with HIV/AIDS or diabetes, positive emotion is associated with lower risk of mortality, controlling for negative emotion, and other predictors of mortality.
WeCOPE is a 7-session program. Sessions meet once a week for one hour. The seven sessions encourage practicing skills such as mindfulness, savoring, positive reappraisal, gratitude, and goal setting among others.