Studies have shown that 69-90% of us will experience at least one serious traumatic event during our lifetimes. The sudden death of a loved one. A debilitating illness. A natural disaster. War. What differentiates us? How we respond; how resilient we are. Our guest today has found that extremely resilient people share the 10 attributes we discuss in this episode. As we reflect on the personal and global challenges we have all faced in 2023 and look forward to the new year, understanding how we can not only become more resilient but teach our children to develop resilience, is undoubtedly one of the most important lessons we can learn.

Dr. Jonathan DePierro, a Ph.D. holder in clinical psychology from the New School for Social Research, has further solidified his prominence by assuming the role of Editor-in-Chief of Psychiatric Quarterly in January 2023. As the Associate Director of the Center for Stress, Resilience, and Personal Growth, he leads comprehensive programs dedicated to supporting the mental health and resilience of Mount Sinai’s faculty, staff, and trainees. With a background as a supervising psychologist at the Mount Sinai World Trade Center Mental Health Program, Dr. DePierro specializes in treating trauma-related mental health conditions and crafting flexible interventions to enhance resilience. His impactful contributions to the field include published work on novel treatment approaches for post-traumatic stress disorder, mental health service needs for World Trade Center and COVID-19 responders, and the psychological impact of trauma exposure.

Dr. DePierro, is a distinguished expert in trauma and resilience, currently serving as an associate professor of psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Alongside esteemed colleagues Dr. Denis Charney and Dr. Stephen Southwick, he co-authored the best-selling book, “Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges.” This book takes center stage in the conversation, offering valuable insights into the science of resilience, trauma mastery, and its application to life’s challenges.