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Positive Psychology

Resilience Skills

Karen Reivich, Ph.D.

4.9

Based on 2,174 ratings

, see reviews

Karen Reivich, Ph.D.

Learn how to incorporate resilience interventions into your personal and professional life with Dr. Karen Reivich. In this course, you are exposed to the foundational research in resilience, including protective factors such as mental agility and optimism. Several types of resilience interventions are explored including cognitive strategies; strategies to manage anxiety and increase positive emotions such as gratitude; and a critical relationship enhancement skill. Throughout the course, you will hear examples of individuals using resilience skills in their personal and professional lives. Suggested prerequisites: Positive Psychology: Martin E. P. Seligman’s Visionary Science, Positive Psychology: Applications and Interventions and Positive Psychology: Character, Grit & Research Methods.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Resilience and Optimism

In this module, you will learn the definition of resilience and understand the protective factors that make one resilient. You will differentiate between helplessness and mastery orientations, and understand the thinking styles underlying each. You will summarize major outcomes of optimism, and the mediators of those outcomes, as well as assess your own levels of optimism, using a questionnaire. Finally, you will hear about personal and organizational outcomes of optimism, and will be able to apply these concepts to your own life.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches skills that help with personal resilience

Designed for people wanting to handle personal difficulties

Taught by academic who is recognized for their work in resilience

Includes exposure to a variety of coping mechanisms

Topics are highly relevant to managing daily life situations

Offers many examples of resilience in action

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Reviews summary

Practical resilience skills

According to learners, this course offers highly practical skills (positive) for building resilience and optimism (positive). Many found the instructor, Dr. Karen Reivich (positive), to be excellent, clear, and engaging (positive). The course content, particularly the strategies like Real-Time Resilience (positive) and Active Constructive Responding (positive), is seen as highly useful and applicable (positive) to both personal and professional life (positive). Some reviewers noted the course provides a solid foundation backed by research (positive). While many experienced a positive impact and personal growth (positive), a few learners felt it was a basic introduction (warning) and wished for more advanced content or case studies (neutral).

Strong basis in research and theory

"I loved how the practical strategies were backed by solid research findings."

"Provides a solid foundation in the research on resilience and optimism."

"The connection between theory and practice was well explained."

Led to personal growth and optimism

"This course genuinely changed how I approach challenges; I feel more optimistic now."

"I feel better equipped to handle stress and setbacks after taking this course."

"It helped me build more positive emotions and improve my outlook."

Dr. Reivich is clear and engaging teacher

"Dr. Reivich is an excellent teacher; I found her lectures very clear and engaging..."

"She presents the material in a way that is easy to understand and connect with."

"The instructor was fantastic and made the complex ideas accessible."

Covers key resilience strategies

"The section on Real-Time Resilience was particularly helpful for managing difficult thoughts..."

"Learning about Active Constructive Responding improved my relationships."

"I found the module on managing anxiety and gratitude very practical and helpful."

"The character strengths section gave me new insights."

Learn strategies for daily life and work

"I can immediately use these skills in my daily life. It made a real difference."

"The exercises helped me apply what I learned directly to my own life."

"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."

"Excellent course with tangible skills applicable in both personal and professional spheres."

Some felt it lacked depth

"It felt a bit basic for someone with prior background, but a good introduction."

"I wish there were more real-world case studies to illustrate the points."

"Could use more in-depth coverage on applying skills in complex or unique situations."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills with these activities:

Refresh key concepts related to resilience

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This activity can help you strengthen your foundational knowledge of resilience, optimism, and positive psychology, which are core concepts in the course.

Browse courses on Resilience

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Review your notes or textbooks from previous courses related to psychology, such as positive psychology or well-being.
Take practice quizzes or complete practice problems to test your understanding of key concepts.

Volunteer in a community support organization

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Volunteer in organizations that provide support services to individuals or communities experiencing stress, trauma, or adversity to gain practical experience in applying resilience-building strategies and fostering well-being.

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Identify community organizations that provide support services
Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Commit to a regular volunteering schedule and actively participate in supporting clients

Review research methods for positive psychology

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Review basic research methods commonly used in the field of positive psychology to familiarize yourself with and enhance understanding of the course materials.

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Identify primary research methods used in positive psychology, such as surveys, experiments, and qualitative research
Understand the purpose and applications of each research method
Review examples of research studies that have utilized these methods in the field of positive psychology

Five other activities

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Watch tutorials on cognitive resilience strategies

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There are plenty of video tutorials available online that explain cognitive resilience strategies in detail. These can provide valuable insights and practical tips to help you develop mental agility and optimism.

Browse courses on Optimism

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Search online for tutorials on cognitive resilience strategies.
Select a reputable source or platform offering high-quality content.
Watch the tutorials and take notes on key strategies.
Practice applying the strategies in your daily life.

Practice Real-Time Resilience exercises

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Engaging in Real-Time Resilience exercises can significantly enhance your ability to challenge non-resilient thinking patterns. These exercises provide practical tools to improve your focus, emotional regulation, and overall resilience.

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Learn about the principles of Real-Time Resilience.
Identify common thinking traps that undermine resilience.
Practice challenging non-resilient thoughts using Real-Time Resilience techniques.

Develop a personal resilience plan

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Create a personalized plan outlining strategies for enhancing resilience, managing stress, and fostering positive emotions, based on the concepts learned in the course.

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Identify personal strengths and areas for improvement in resilience
Develop specific strategies for coping with stress and challenging situations
Incorporate practices for cultivating positive emotions and gratitude
Create a support system and seek professional help when necessary

Read "Flourish" by Martin Seligman

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Read Martin Seligman's "Flourish" to gain a comprehensive understanding of the science of well-being and its practical implications for building resilience and living a fulfilling life.

View Tomorrowmind: Thriving at Work with Resilience,... on Amazon

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Read and summarize key chapters on the PERMA model and well-being interventions
Apply concepts from the book to personal experiences and identify areas for growth

Organize and review course materials

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Consolidate and review course notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams to improve retention and understanding of the key concepts covered in the course.

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Organize materials by module or topic
Review and summarize key points from each material
Identify areas for further clarification or study

Career center

Learners who complete Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Therapist

Therapists may use the skills they learn in this course in sessions with clients to help them learn to manage their own mental health and build resilience. Therapists learn a variety of techniques that may help them build rapport with clients, including managing their own anxiety and fostering positive emotions like gratitude. This course can help build a foundation for emotional intelligence and provide strategies for working with a diverse client base.

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Counselor

Counselors may use the skills they learn in this course to help their clients develop personalized strategies for building resilience and promoting mental well-being. This course can be particularly helpful for counselors who work with individuals who have experienced trauma or adversity, as it provides evidence-based techniques for fostering resilience and improving psychological health.

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Social Worker

Social workers may use the skills they learn in this course to help their clients develop strategies for managing stress, building resilience, and improving their overall well-being. This course may be particularly relevant to social workers who work in areas such as mental health, child welfare, or community development, as it provides practical tools and techniques for promoting resilience in diverse populations.

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Psychologist

Psychologists may use the skills they learn in this course to help their clients develop resilience, manage mental health conditions, and improve their overall well-being. This course may be particularly relevant to psychologists who work in areas such as clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or health psychology, as it provides evidence-based techniques for promoting resilience and improving psychological health.

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Teacher

Teachers may use the skills they learn in this course to create a positive and supportive learning environment for their students. This course may be particularly relevant to teachers who work with students who have experienced trauma or adversity, as it provides strategies for fostering resilience and promoting mental well-being. By incorporating the principles of positive psychology into their teaching practices, teachers can help their students develop the skills they need to thrive both academically and personally.

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School Counselor

School counselors may use the skills they learn in this course to help students develop resilience, manage stress, and improve their overall well-being. This course may be particularly relevant to school counselors who work with students who have experienced trauma or adversity, as it provides evidence-based techniques for promoting resilience and improving psychological health. By incorporating the principles of positive psychology into their counseling practice, school counselors can help students develop the skills they need to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.

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Life Coach

Life coaches may use the skills they learn in this course to help their clients develop resilience, manage stress, and improve their overall well-being. This course may be particularly relevant to life coaches who work with clients who are facing challenges or transitions, as it provides evidence-based techniques for promoting resilience and improving psychological health. By incorporating the principles of positive psychology into their coaching practice, life coaches can help their clients achieve their goals and live more fulfilling lives.

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Social Justice Activist

Social justice activists may use the skills they learn in this course to build resilience and promote positive change within their communities. This course may be particularly relevant to social justice activists who work with marginalized or oppressed populations, as it provides evidence-based techniques for coping with stress, building resilience, and inspiring hope. Through this course, social justice activists can develop the skills they need to sustain their commitment to social change and create a more just and equitable world.

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Grief Counselor

Grief counselors may use the skills they learn in this course to help their clients cope with loss and build resilience. This course may be particularly relevant to grief counselors who work with individuals who have experienced the death of a loved one, as it provides evidence-based techniques for promoting resilience and improving psychological health. By incorporating the principles of positive psychology into their counseling practice, grief counselors can help their clients find meaning and purpose in the face of loss.

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Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers may use the skills they learn in this course to create a positive and supportive work environment for their employees. This course may be particularly relevant to human resources managers who work in organizations that are committed to employee well-being, as it provides evidence-based techniques for promoting resilience and improving psychological health. By incorporating the principles of positive psychology into their HR practices, human resources managers can help create a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated to succeed.

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Organizational Psychologist

Organizational psychologists may use the skills they learn in this course to help organizations develop and implement resilience-building programs for their employees. This course may be particularly relevant to organizational psychologists who work with organizations that are committed to employee well-being, as it provides evidence-based techniques for promoting resilience and improving psychological health. By incorporating the principles of positive psychology into their consulting practice, organizational psychologists can help organizations create a positive and supportive work environment that fosters employee resilience.

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Positive Psychology Researcher

Positive psychology researchers may use the skills they learn in this course to design and conduct research studies on resilience and other positive psychological phenomena. This course may be particularly relevant to positive psychology researchers who are interested in studying the factors that contribute to resilience and developing interventions to promote resilience in individuals and communities. Through this course, positive psychology researchers can develop the skills they need to conduct rigorous and meaningful research that advances the field of positive psychology.

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Community Organizer

Community organizers may use the skills they learn in this course to build resilience and empower communities to create positive change. This course may be particularly relevant to community organizers who work in underserved or marginalized communities, as it provides evidence-based techniques for promoting resilience and improving psychological health. By incorporating the principles of positive psychology into their community organizing practice, community organizers can help build strong and resilient communities that can overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

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Spiritual Director

Spiritual directors may use the skills they learn in this course to help their clients develop resilience and find meaning and purpose in their lives. This course may be particularly relevant to spiritual directors who work with individuals who are seeking spiritual growth or who are facing challenges or transitions. By incorporating the principles of positive psychology into their spiritual direction practice, spiritual directors can help their clients connect with their inner strengths and find hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

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Registered Nurse

Registered nurses may use the skills they learn in this course to provide compassionate and supportive care to their patients. This course may be particularly relevant to registered nurses who work in areas such as oncology, palliative care, or hospice, as it provides evidence-based techniques for promoting resilience and improving psychological health. By incorporating the principles of positive psychology into their nursing practice, registered nurses can help their patients cope with illness, find hope, and live their lives to the fullest.

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Reading list

We've selected 21 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills.

The Resiliency Advantage

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Introduces the foundational research in resilience. Provides strategies for increasing optimism and mental agility, which are factors that contribute to resilience.

Positive Psychology

Resilience Skills

Two deals to help you save

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Practical resilience skills

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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