Dr. Rhonda Swickert received her Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Oklahoma in 1996. She currently is a Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the College of Charleston. Dr. Swickert has published extensively on the topic of stress, coping, and well-being, and she is particularly interested in how factors within the individual promote resilience in the face of difficult life circumstances. Some of her most recent publications have examined how tendencies toward forgiveness and empathic responding can facilitate psychological growth following a traumatic event. Additionally, her work in the area of mindfulness has shown that it plays an important role in the influence of gratitude, perceived social support, and mood. Dr. Swickert also has developed several courses that focus on the importance of mindfulness in the promotion of resilience and well-being.