In an environment of change and challenge, the Enchanted Mountains Village (EMVi) and the DePerro School of Health Professions at St. Bonaventure University are co-sponsoring “Finding a Silver Lining in Challenging Times” on Thursday, April 24.

Free and open to the public, the event will be held at 6 p.m. in the multipurpose room of the School of Health Professions, located in Francis Hall on the St. Bonaventure campus.

Thomas Delaney, Ph.D., psychologist, professor emeritus of Counselor Education at St. Bonaventure and an EMVi member, will keynote the presentation.

Delaney’s presentation will include a series of recommendations and perspectives based on psychological research that may assist individuals in coping with challenging and painful events.

“The presentation will review a number of interventions and mindsets that have been proven to enable people to view situations through a cognitive filter in which they view themselves as able to cope with stressors effectively,” Delaney said.

A graduate of Stonehill College and the University of Minnesota, Delaney received his doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Illinois.

In addition to teaching, from 1976 until recently, he provided clinical services to New York’s Southern Tier in his Olean-based private practice. His background includes crisis negotiation, safe schools and violence prevention, with a focus on evidence-based psychological treatment for adults and children.

Swagata Banik, Ph.D., professor and dean of the DePerro School of Health Professions at St. Bonaventure, highlighted the critical role of resilience and adaptive coping in navigating adversity and facing life’s challenges.

“Everyone experiences adversity or challenges, but how we respond to them can make all the difference,” Banik said. “In today’s fast-changing world, it is essential to equip ourselves and our communities with the tools to navigate adversity with resilience.

“We’re pleased to host this timely conversation with Dr. Delaney, whose work offers practical strategies for building resilience and supporting mental well-being. His presentation speaks directly to our mission and ongoing commitment to advancing overall well-being, evidence-based practice, and compassionate, whole-person care.”

The mission of the Enchanted Mountains Village Inc. is to support its members to age well at home by fostering connections to other members, community resources, and educational and social activities to encourage the development of a vibrant, involved and mutually supportive community. 

For more information on EMVi, visit here or call 585-379-0062.

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure is a community committed to transforming the lives of its students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a commitment to academic excellence and lifelong civic engagement. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #6 for value and #14 for innovation by U.S. News and World Report (2024).