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What is The Resilience Doughnut Training and Why Does It Matter?
Let’s start with the obvious question: is this about pastries or psychology?
Delightfully, it’s both — sort of.
While you won’t find any glaze or sprinkles, The Resilience Doughnut Training is a deliciously practical model used by psychologists, educators, and professionals working with children, adolescents and even adults. Developed by Dr Lyn Worsley, a clinical psychologist and a former Registered Nurse, this framework is designed to help people build resilience by focusing on the strengths already present in their lives.
So what’s with the doughnut?
The Resilience Doughnut Model: A Quick Glaze Over
Imagine a doughnut — a solid ring with a hole in the middle. The Resilience Doughnut uses this shape to map out seven key areas of strength that surround a person (the “dough” part), while the inner hole represents the core self — the developing identity of the individual. The model proposes that if a person has just three strong, positive connections in any of the seven areas, they’re more likely to bounce back from stress and adversity, well.
These seven areas are:
- the Parent factor – supportive and protective relationships
- the Skill factor – interests and talents that bring confidence
- the Family & Identity factor – connectedness linking to a long term legacy
- the Education factor – learning environments that feel engaging
- the Peer factor – positive connections and developing friendships
- the Community factor – a sense of connection and belonging
- the Money factor – contribution and value with purpose (especially for teenagers and adults)
Instead of looking at what’s broken, The Resilience Doughnut focuses on what is working. Where is the child or adolescent thriving? What supports already exist? The model is strengths-based, practical, and oh-so-refreshing, in a world often preoccupied with deficits and diagnoses.
What is The Resilience Doughnut Training?
The Resilience Doughnut Training equips professionals (teachers, psychologists, youth workers, social workers, and others) with tools to use this model effectively. The training explores:
- How to assess the strengths in a person’s life
- How to identify which of the seven areas are active
- How to engage families and communities to build up those areas
- How to use the model to guide interventions, support plans, and conversations.
It’s less about “fixing” and more about noticing, naming, and nurturing resilience.
Participants learn to use the model with individuals, small groups, classrooms, staff teams and even at a whole organisational level. The training is known for being hands-on, engaging, and yes, occasionally accompanied by real doughnuts, (though we make no promises).
Why Does The Resilience Doughnut Training Matter?
A good question.
Because resilience is not just about grit. It’s not about being stoic, tough, or quietly drowning. It’s about being supported in real, relational ways. The Resilience Doughnut acknowledges that our ability to bounce back doesn’t emerge from nowhere — it grows out of meaningful connections, confidence in ourselves, and feeling like we belong somewhere.
When professionals are trained in this model, they’re able to see beyond the surface. They start asking questions like:
- Who is showing up for this child or adolescent?
- What’s one area in their life that’s going well?
- Where are the small wins we can build from?
In an age of rising anxiety, isolation, and burnout (in both youth and adults), this kind of framework is not just helpful — it’s essential.
Our Final Thoughts
The Resilience Doughnut Training is not a sugary gimmick. It’s a research-based, peer reviewed, compassion-led approach to nurturing strength, identity, and wellbeing. It’s been used in clinical settings, school environments, correctional centres, and corporate business, with remarkable success.
So next time you hear The Resilience Doughnut, don’t just think about morning tea. Think connection, growth, and strength — wrapped up in one very satisfying metaphor.
