plant growing through cracks

The resilience part of the CARE training brings to the forefront many of the insights of positive psychology. Put simply, one of the ways of responding to negative emotions is to focus on positive ones – emotions that engender joy and happiness. Research-based exercises for this part of the intervention are inspired by findings in studies of happiness and are demonstrated to help to cultivate positive affect. Much of the research supporting interventions in this category relate to the construct of resilience, which describes the ability to maintain well-being in the face of stress and adversity. Research into resilient individuals helps to identify some of the habits and practices that support well-being and flourishing, and suggests that such methods can be learned. Studies in resilience indicate that certain specific cognitive strategies, behavioral habits and meditative exercises can help people to respond to potentially upsetting events in ways that are protective of their psychological well-being. These strategies can be learned, and this part of the intervention will offer information about these strategies and exercises for implementing them. A crucial part of this component will be an important piece of psychological and neurobiological education about psychological trauma and offer techniques for recognizing and mitigating ‘emotional hijacking’.