That's interesting, I'd love for somebody with more knowledge to chime in. As a layperson my response to a psychologist who was critical of positive psychology

That's interesting, I'd love for somebody with more knowledge to chime in. As a layperson my response to a psychologist who was critical of positive psychology would be "okay fine, let's assume you're right - what would you recommend people do to help themselves get better if not mindfulness, CBT or some other form of mental programme to improve their mental wellbeing?". I totally agree that there are people selling snake oil off the back of positive psychology becoming more mainstream. That's life unfortunately... Personally I'd take "non-understood side effects" over feeling like there's nothing I can do in the event I suffered from depression/anxiety/low self esteem or one of the dozens of other mental health issues that society on the whole still aren't very good at recognising and treating.