Dr. Colleen Fairbanks is a clinical psychologist who specializes in health psychology, happiness, positive psychology, and mindfulness. Her passion is helping organizations and individuals build resilience. The document defines resilience as the ability to recover from difficulties and defines four tools for building resilience: having an internal locus of control, maintaining a realistic optimism, cultivating positive relationships, and allowing for recovery. It discusses each of these tools in detail and provides examples and discussion questions.

1. RESILIENCE
Dr. Colleen M. Fairbanks
Clinical Health
Psychologist

2. INTRODUCTION
Dr. Fairbanks is a psychologist,
speaker, coach, and consultant. She
is a licensed clinical psychologist
with a specialization in Health
Psychology.
Areas of specialization include
happiness, positive psychology,
motivational interviewing, behavior
change, and mindfulness. She has
extensive experience, both as a
practitioner and instructor, in
understanding the mind-body
connection: the interplay between
physical and emotional health issues.
Dr. Fairbanks’ passion is working
with organizations and individuals to
find happiness, peace, and inner
strength.

3. OBJECTIVES
 Define resilience
 Identify skills to build resilience
 Understand how to implement skills

4. DEFINITION
The capacity of a strained body to recover its size and shape
after deformation caused especially by compressive stress
An ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or
change

5. DISCUSSION
When you think of resilience, what comes to
mind?

6. BACKGROUND: NORMAN GARMEZY

7. RESILIENCE

9. RESILIENCY TOOLS
Locus of control
Realistic optimism
Positive relationships
Recovery

10. LOCUS OF CONTROL

11. LOCUS OF CONTROL

12. LOCUS OF CONTROL

13. CHANGE IT

14. DISCUSSION
Can you think of a time when your emotions
were dictated by someone else’s behaviors?
What steps can you take to investigate and take
ownership of your reaction?

15. RESILIENCY TOOLS
Locus of control
Realistic optimism
Positive relationships
Recovery

16. REALISTIC OPTIMISM
Learned helplessness is the giving-up reaction, the quitting
response that follows from the belief that whatever you do
doesn’t matter
-Martin Seligman
3 groups
Can stop the noise by
pushing a button
Can’t turn off the
noise
Control group: Heard
no noise
New day. New situation.
Loud annoying sound can be turned off by moving hand
Figured it out and
avoided the noise
2/3 learned
helplessness
1/3 resilient
Figured it out and
avoided the noise

17. REALISTIC OPTIMISM

18. REALISTIC OPTIMISM: PERCEPTION

19. REALISTIC OPTIMISM: POSITIVITY
Increase positivity in
your life.
Practice a positive
mindset
Express gratitude
Self-improvement

20. DISCUSSION
Thinking back through the last 24 hours, what
are some things for which you feel grateful?

21. RESILIENCY TOOLS
Locus of control
Realistic optimism
Positive relationships
Recovery

22. POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS

23. POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS
Stay present
 Listen to what is being said
 Get out of your own head
 Check for understanding when listening
What are you doing well in this category? What would you change?
Assertiveness
 Discuss your frustrations
 Own your emotional response
 Set boundaries
What are you doing well in this category? What would you change?
Positive reinforcement
 Praise behavior you enjoy
 Discuss the behaviors you do not in a assertive, nonaggressive
manner
What are you doing well in this category? What would you change?
Active listening
 Paraphrasing
 Nonverbal cues
 Eye contact
What are you doing well in this category? What would you
change?
In Conflict:
 Listen
 Paraphrase; check for your tone
 Apologize and ask “What do you need from me right now”
What are you doing well in this category? What would you
change?

24. RESILIENCY TOOLS
Locus of control
Realistic optimism
Positive Relationships
Recovery

25. RECOVERY

26. DISCUSSION
On average, how often do you think you look at
your phone each day?

27. RECOVERY

29. REFERENCES
American Psychological Association
Donald Altman, 101 Mindful Ways to Build Resilience: Cultivate Calm, Clarity,
Optimism, & Happiness Each Day.
Michelle Gielan, 2015. Broadcasting Happiness. Dallas, Texas: BenBella
Books, Inc.
Omharmonics by Mindvalley
PsychCentral
Ray Mathis: It’s Just and Event: It’s Your Choice How You Want to Feel
Reivich & Shatté. 2002. The Resilience Factor. New York: Broadway Books.
Shawn Achor, XXXX. The Happiness Advantage. XXX
University of Texas, Austin: Transforming lives through resilience education

30. DrColleenFairbanks@gmail.
com