Michael Frisch
Associate Professor of Psychology
Baylor University
Waco, Texas
Michael_B_Frisch@baylor.edu
Dr. Michael Frisch is a clinical psychologist involved in psychotherapy practice and research.
He has a PhD from University of Kansas. He is an international authority on positive
psychology, well-being, and quality of life. He is a Research Fellow and Founding Fellow in the
International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies and Aaron T. Beck's Academy of Cognitive
Therapy, respectively. Dr. Frisch is the founder of the Oral History and Education Project of the
International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, the Gallup Institute for Global Well-Being, and
Baylor University. Dr. Frisch served as the youngest member in history on the American Red
Cross' Board of Governors in Washington, DC.
Research Interests
Primary focus: Quality of Life Therapy refers to Dr. Frisch's book or manual for adding positive
psychology and well-being interventions to therapy, coaching, or medical treatments. This
approach has been found to be effective in two randomized controlled trials funded by the
National Institutes of Health.
•Well-being and positive psychology intervention
•Use of Dr. Frisch's Quality-of- Life Inventory in positive psychology and well-being
assessments
•Treatment of depression, anxiety, and couples therapy
•Oral history of internationally recognized researchers in order to preserve their legacies and
inspire future scientists
•Research and methodology in college teaching
•Psychology, film, and the arts
Selected Papers and Publications
Frisch, M. B. (2009). Quality of Life Therapy and Coaching (QOLTC). In: S.J. Lopez (Ed.).
Encyclopedia of Positive Psychology (pp. 824-826). New York: Wiley-Blackwell.
Frisch, Michael B. (2009). The Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI) Handbook: A Practical Guide
for Laypersons, Clients, and Coaches. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Pearson Assessments.
Miller, C.A., Frisch, M.B. (2009). Creating Your Best Life: The Ultimate Life List Guide. New
York: Sterling Publishing.
Frisch, M.B. (2009, June). Positive Psychology Intervention: Goals, Research, and EvidenceBased Approaches. Paper presented to the First World Congress on Positive Psychology.
Philadelphia, PA.
Frisch, M.B. (2009, July). The Latest in Quality of Life Coaching. Invited presentation to the
International Society for Quality of Life Studies. Florence, Italy.
Frisch, Michael B. (2008). The Oral History and Education Project of the International Society
for Quality of Life Studies and the Gallup Institute for Global Well Being. Applied Research in
Quality of Life, 2, 223-238.
Frisch, M.B. (2007, June). The Creativity-Arts-Making Component of Quality of Life Therapy
and Coaching. Invited presentation to the Rockefeller Foundation and Curb Institute Conference
on the role of art and art-making in fostering a better quality of life. New York: David A.
Rockefeller Estate.
Frisch, Michael B. (2006). Quality of Life Therapy: A Life Satisfaction Approach to Positive
Psychology and Cognitive Therapy. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons.
Frisch, M. B., Clark, M. P., Rouse, S. V., Rudd, M. D., Paweleck, J., & Greenstone, A. (2005).
Predictive and treatment validity of life satisfaction and the Quality of Life Inventory.
Assessment, 12(1), 66-78.
Frisch, M.B. (1998). Quality of life therapy and assessment in health care. Clinical Psychology:
Science and Practice, 5, 19-40. Note: This article is designated as a "Classic Article in Qualityof-Life Research" by the International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies.
Grant, G.M., Salcedo, V., Hynan, L.S., Frisch, M.B., & Puster, K. (1995). Effectiveness of
Quality-of-Life Therapy for depression. Psychological Reports, 76, 1203-1208.
Frisch, M.B., Cornell, J., Villanueva, M., & Retzlaff, P.J. (1992). Clinical validation of the
Quality of Life Inventory: A measure of life satisfaction for use in treatment planning and
outcome assessment. Psychological Assessment, 4, 92-101.