About

An internationally renowned leader in the fields of Mental Health and Positive Psychology, Dr. Tim Sharp (aka Dr. Happy) is a sought after Speaker and Facilitator, Consultant, Coach and Mentor, Writer and Podcaster.

Dr. Sharp has three degrees in psychology (including a Ph.D.) and an impressive record as an academic, clinician and coach. He established and ran one of Sydney’s most respected clinical psychology practices, a highly regarded Executive Coaching practice, and is the founder & CHO (Chief Happiness Officer) of The Happiness Institute, Australia’s first organisation devoted solely to enhancing happiness in individuals, families and organisations.

He’s taught at all the major universities in NSW and has been an Adjunct Professor (in Positive Psychology) within the School of Management, Faculty of Business at UTS as well as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Health Sciences, RMIT. His primary areas of interest include enhancing happiness at work including building positive cultures, developing positive leadership and boosting resilience, as well as smashing the stigma associated with mental ill-health.

Dr. Sharp has worked with numerous organisations (and their leaders) including Twitter (before / IYKYK), Dyson, Ernst & Young, Mallesons, Allens Arthur Robinson, IBM, AMP, Westpac, NAB, Coles, Coca Cola Amatil, Telstra and KPMG (to name just a few).

In the past, he’s written regular columns for the Sydney Morning Herald, Body & Soul, and HIF’s Healthy Lifestyle Blog; he’s also collaborated with brands and helped shape campaigns for companies such as AMP, BankWest, AMEX, Tip Top, Officeworks, Fitness First and Jenny Craig.

Taken together, Dr. Sharp has achieved unparalleled success in the academic, professional and business worlds. Accordingly, in 2008 Dr. Sharp’s accomplishments were recognised by the Australian Davos Connection when he received a Future Leadership Award and also by the Australia Day Council who invited him to be an Australia Day Ambassador for several years, beginning in 2011.

Dr. Sharp is also a best-selling author (of, among other things, “The Happiness Handbook”, “100 Ways to Happiness: a guide for busy people” and “100 Ways to Happy Children: a guide for busy parents”, 10 audiobooks, including Habits for Happiness, produced exclusively for Audible, and his his most recent book, “Lost & Found; how to wander your way to a better life” came out on July 2, 2024.) and a sought after public speaker. He’s appeared in several nationally screened prime-time TV shows & he continues to make frequent appearances in the local and international media (including Sunrise, Today, The Morning Show, The Daily Edition, Prevention Magazine, the Herald Sun, Women’s Health, the SMH and the AFR).

PS: Knowing full well that happiness is not just feeling good, but also doing good, Dr. Sharp gives much of his time these days to that which he considers “good causes”; most notably, as resident Chief Happiness Officer at youth mental health organisation, batyr, and as mentor to several “future leaders” in the social enterprise and NFP space.

If you’d like to support Dr Happy’s efforts to raise funds for youth mental-health organisation batyr, please

Click Here

To have worked with you closely is to have been in the company of true wisdom and kindness! Thank you for everything you've given to AIME and to the world in general. The work you do is so important and we're so lucky to have experienced it and built a culture of positive psychology and self care into our AIME family.
Jess Timmins - CEO AIME
We recently hosted Dr Tim Sharp as a keynote speaker at our annual customer and prospect event in Sydney. The agenda was focussed around technology and the challenges facing senior business leaders in Finance, HR and IT. Dr Sharp put together a fantastic session that spoke to the issues around employee happiness and the impact this had on employee engagement and ultimately business success. The session was incredibly engaging and very relevant to our audience with some great anecdotes and tips for executives to use in their own lives and organisations. The feedback from the attendees was overwhelmingly positive with Tim’s closing keynote being the highlight of the day, one of the attendees even gave him a 10 out of 5 on their feedback form!
Craig Todd, Marketing Manager Australia & New Zealand - Workday
I have no hesitation recommending Timothy. He has taught with me in both the executive MBA and MBA programs at UTS and his approach and style engages people, and motivates their thirst for greater knowledge and reflection about how they practice management. Moreover, Timothy is a great human being; humble, caring, humorous, intelligent and talented. Probably the most important qualities to be found in people.
Dr. Tyrone Pitsis – Professor at Leeds University Business School
Tim recently ran a half day immersion for our employees in "Positive Preparation for October" (traditionally our busiest month). The entire experience, from discussing our business needs to implementation was incredibly easy, but more importantly, the immersion was highly effective. Our experience resulted in reframing what is a busy and stressful time - which we expected. What we didn't expect was the unintentional benefit of team cohesion, a thoroughly fun afternoon and new language to use. Tim gave us perspective - what we should be grateful for and simple strategies to remind ourselves how lucky we are.
Justine Roberts – Head of Human Resources, Melanoma Institute Australia
It's rare to find a presenter who combines humour, in-depth information and an effortless teaching style in such an effective way as Tim does. He is entertaining and approachable and his seminars are always practical, very popular and targeted to his audiences' needs. Tim brings to his listeners the latest understanding in neuroscience, brain plasticity and the impact of positive emotions and does so in an easy, relaxed and accessible style. If you want your audience to laugh a lot plus take home incredibly valuable life lessons, then Tim's your perfect choice of presenter.
Petrea King – CEO Quest for Life Foundation
As a professional MC and facilitator at conferences and public forums, I see many, many speakers. Tim is one of the best presenters I have ever seen. His content is evidence-based and up-to-the minute with a positive and practical focus. His messages are useful for both personal and organisational change. But what is really impressive is his energy, humour and clever use of brief video clips that are funny but also pertinent and thought-provoking.
Julie McCrossin – Professional MC and Media Personality
Dr. Tim Sharp is a leader in the application of positive psychology. I have long been impressed with his sophisticated thinking about happiness and other positive psychology topics. He has earned a great reputation in Australia and beyond for his clinical and coaching work, as well as his writing on the topic of happiness.
Robert Biswas-Diener – International Positive Psychology Expert
Tim is one of those rare gems that I've been fortunate enough to call a friend for many years. His entrepreneurial spirit and passion for new ideas is never ending. His clinical knowledge is second to none - just look at the accolades he holds and the events he is invited to present at. His compassionate demeanor always sees him putting others first and truly caring about individuals and humanising the workplace at a very deep level. If you get the chance to connect with him at any level, you'll be highly delighted.
Lisa Messenger – Founder & Editor in Chief, the Collective Hub
For those wanting an insight into happy, I can highly recommend having the preeminent positive psychologist Dr. Tim Sharp (Dr. Happy) present the fundamentals. You’ll learn practical and easy-to-apply methods to a happier existence presented in a fun and casual format that will leave you wanting more!
Grant Dollman – Fujitsu
Tim presented a fantastic Breakfast and MasterClass for our members and clients at the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) last week and the feedback from all attendees has been fantastic! His presentation struck just the right balance between theory and practical application, whilst simultaneously being fun and highly engaging. I would strongly recommend Tim if you're interested in learning more about the power of positive psychology.
Ruth Hamilton - AIM
Tim rocks. We engaged him to present to a group of about 100 members of our business community at the Sydney Opera house. Over the course of two hours, he had them absolutely eating out of his hands...the combination of practical advice about living happy and actual happiness practice made for a memorable evening that helped bond our community together.
Jet Swain - Content Services Lead, Accenture Interactive at Accenture Australia
Tim is an outstanding public speaker that gave a great opening keynote to the Psychological Health & Wellbeing in the Workplace Congress. He delivered an inspiring presentation that demystified positive psychology and firmly positioned it within the corporate world.
Aaron Gay – Managing Director and Intrepid Minds
When the history of positive psychology is written in Australia, a large chapter will be devoted to Dr. Tim Sharp. Few have done as much to promote the science of well-being with such panache and humour! He has the gift of taking evidence based science and making it comprehensible and enjoyable.
Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg Managing Director at Young and Well CRC