The recorded version of this course draws on recorded webinars from November 2022 to January 2023, accompanied by an online resource with video tutorials, downloadable handouts and a discussion forum. You can start this at any point and do the course at your own pace. See below for details.
You can watch a recording of the recent free introductory webinar (just under an hour) at this link
There is a real skill in taking a huge topic and distilling it into accessible, digestible chunks that add immediate value. Chris Johnstone has created such a programme here.” Anna Phillips, Coach and Mindfulness Teacher, annaphillips.co.uk
This online training is designed for practitioners (including health professionals, counsellors, coaches, therapists, teachers and HR specialists) who wish to familiarise themselves with evidence-based resilience tools they can use themselves and pass on to those they work with. It is also a good fit for anyone wanting to strengthen resilience skills in their own life. The course involves three core elements:
- A series of seven recorded webinars, plus an additional follow-up live webinar on Jan 31st 2023 (which will be recorded and available on the course resource).
- an online learning platform hosting the recorded webinars together with accompanying video tutorials, interviews with leading practitioners and other resources, as well as downloadable handouts, templates and a discussion forum.
- a home practice exercise with each module that supports the development of a different resilience skill
I found Chris Johnstone’s Resilience training to be an invaluable resource that I keep going back to. The training is clear and easy to engage with and the skills learnt are highly pragmatic and applicable in everyday life. I use these resilience tools in my practice as a therapist (solution focused hypnotherapist) almost daily with my clients and I can see the benefits for them too.” Stephanie Betschart, www.stephanie-hypnotherapy.co.uk
You can watch a five-minute You-Tube video introducing the approach of the course at this link
You can download a course information leaflet from this link.
Content
Each of us has a personal resilience toolkit of Strategies, Strengths, Resources and Insights we’ve developed to deal with stress and adversity. The Resilience Practitioner Training builds on this toolkit by focusing on seven key areas where learnable strategies and insights help personal resilience grow. The course is presented in eight modules, each supporting specific resilience interventions and self-help practices.
Module 1 – Storyboarding, Core Framework and Foundations
We start by exploring what resilience is by reflecting on examples we’re familiar with. Using narrative tools, we draw out key elements in the story of how resilience goes. This module introduces the core framework of the course, based on developing a personal resilience toolkit of Self-Helps SSRIs (Strategies, Strengths, Resources and Insights). Foundational practices, such as storyboarding and mapping influences, are introduced. A central theme is how we help others deal with dips, with self-help tools that help them find the upslope of recovery.
Module 2 – Emotional First-Aid
What helps us deal with emotional storms and distress? This module draws on advances in neuroscience that help us understand the impact of our autonomic nervous system on how we think, feel and act. Applying emotional intelligence strategies, we look at ways to listen to and benefit from our feelings, while also being able to weather emotional upset. Emotional First-Aid practices are introduced that we can teach people to settle themselves when feeling distressed. We’ll look at useful elements in a crisis drill, drawing on self-compassion, mindfulness and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy).
Module 3 – Thinking Flexibly, Self-Help Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive Therapy is of proven benefit in treating depression and anxiety. This module introduces a self-help form of cognitive therapy based on applying three thinking skills taught in the Penn Resilience Program. We’ll look at using the ABC Thinking Check tool to increase awareness of the impact of the way we think, as well as nudge ourselves or those we work with to explore new perspectives.
Module 4 – Overload Management, Dealing with Stress
This module introduces the human function curve as a way of helping understand the relationship between pressure and performance. We’ll look at what happens to our bodies and minds when we’re in overload, recognizing how breathing and relaxation practices act on our physiology to help settle symptoms of stress. We’ll also look at practical strategies to tackle overload when too many plates are being spun.
Module 5 Problem-Solving Strategies, Cultivating Creative Responses
Problem Solving Training has been shown to be as effective as antidepressants in the treatment of depression, though you don’t need to be depressed in order to benefit. We’ll look at how to cultivate creative thinking, strengthen frustration tolerance and use structured problem-solving processes that help open up new pathways forward in areas where we, or those we work with, have been feeling stuck.
Module 6 – Strengthening Support, Resilience in Relationships
This module looks at how to help people strengthen their support networks and nourish the relationships that sustain them. We identify at common obstacles to asking for, and receiving support, as well as ways to help our clients through these. Moving from personal to interpersonal resilience, we look at what helps dealing with bumpy patches between people and repair relationships when they go wrong.
Module 7 – Stickability Part 1 – Helping Resilience Habits Stick
Much of what is communicated in training courses is likely to be forgotten within a short period of time. How can we increase the chances that the benefits of this course, or the wellbeing interventions we offer, will endure? This module looks at the maintenance stage of change and explores ways of planting resilience habits so that they are more likely to stick.
Module 8 – Stickability part 2 – Enhancement and Follow-up review
An opportunity to review learning after a period of reflective practice to apply the tools we’ve looked at, seeing where enhancements can be made.
This course has amazing depth and practicality to it. Chris guides you through a wealth of knowledge with a large menu of useful tools to apply immediately.” Klaudia Van Gool, Permaculture Teacher, www.klaudia.co.uk
Certificate of Completion
On completing the course (with a minimum 80% online course completion and returning a post-course questionnaire) participants would be awarded the Resilience Practitioner Certificate. The course is recognised by the Association for Coaching for 20 hours of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) training time.
About the Trainer
Dr Chris Johnstone, one of the UK’s leading resilience trainers, has over 30 years experience in this field. After a first degree specializing in psychology, he graduated in medicine with distinction in 1986. He trained as a GP, then moved into the mental health field. For many years he ran a groupwork programme in the NHS teaching resilience skills. Influenced much by Positive Psychology, he trained with Martin Seligman, and in 2005 started teaching Positive Psychology at Bristol University. For his work pioneering the role of positive psychology training in the workplace and education, he was included in the Independent on Sunday’s ‘Happy List’ of leading contributors to wellbeing in the UK. His books include Seven Ways to Build Resilience (published in 2019) and, co-authored with Joanna Macy, Active Hope – how to face the mess we’re in with unexpected resilience and creative power (published in 14 languages and revised in 2022).
Investment
The course is available at an early booking discount rate of £245 (approx US$274 or €280). Please book using the paypal button below (PayPal automatically converts currencies if needed, and accepts debit/credit cards). Please contact us if you’d prefer to pay by direct bank transfer or if you have problems using the paypal button. If you would like to do this course but are on a low income or in financial hardship and can’t afford our normal fee, please contact us and we can send you a link to book at the concession price of £165 (approx US$177 or €188). There is an additional discount available if you’ve previously booked on any course with Chris costing more than £80 (please contact us for details).
Chris Johnstone runs an excellent course. Whether you are interested in developing personal resilience or taking a deeper look at this topic to use with clients, you will gain a solid grounding in this area with access to a wide library of resources.” Nishi Singh, Executive Coach, www.carlton-consulting.co.uk
“I really enjoyed the course. I am finding that when people say they have a problem / upset about something, my box of resilience tools means I can find a practical way of offering them support. We have also used the material for our local resilience training.” Lucy Morse, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist,
“Chris has a brilliant way with words and presents easily remembered tools and techniques that can immediately be put into practise and shared with my clients.” Catrin MacDonnell, Executive Coach.