Al Siebert, PhD, photo
Al Siebert, PhD
(1934-2009)

Al Siebert, PhD

Dr. Al Siebert was internationally recognized for his research into the inner nature of highly resilient survivors.

Most recent biographical data is available at The Resiliency Center.

Historical Vita

Education / Training

  • B.A. in psychology, Willamette University, 1958.
  • M.A. in clinical psychology, The University of Michigan, 1960.
  • Court psychologist, Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court, Cleveland, 1961-1962.
  • Ph.D. in clinical psychology, The University of Michigan, 1965.
  • Member of the American Psychology Association since 1967.
  • Oregon psychologist license, 1971 (#216).

Activities included:

  • taught management psychology at Portland State University since 1967.
  • three years military service as a paratrooper, Korean war.
  • consultant tthe State of Oregon Department of Education for teaching stress/coping education in Oregon's public schools.
  • seven years on the Multnomah County School Board, including serving as chair.
  • volunteer "rap group" facilitator with Vietnam Veterans for three years.
  • three years on Police Internal Investigations Auditing Committee, City of Portland Police Department.
  • consultant to Native American veteran's groups and Indian tribes.
  • recipient of the Oregon Governor's "External Trainer of the Year" award for workshops conducted during the downsizing of 4000 state employees.
  • volunteer consultant for the World Trade Center 9/11 Survivors Network

Books included:

  • The Resiliency Advantage, winner of the Independent Publishers "2006 Best Self-Help Book of the Year" award and published in three languages
  • The Survivor Personality, now in its eighteenth printing and published in seven languages.
  • The Adult Student's Guide to Survival & Success, 2008 USA Book News Award Finalist, Education/Academic category

Articles by him, books and magazines interviewing or quoting his work, and use of his popular quiz "How Resilient Are You?" have appeared in many media, including: USA Weekend, The New England Financial Journal, Family Circle, Men's Fitness, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, New Woman, Outdoor Life, Bottom Line/Personal, Good Housekeeping, Human Resources Magazine, the EAP Association Magazine, Prevention, Harvard Business Review, webMD.com, iUniverse.com, National Public Radio, New Dimensions, NBC Today Show, the BBC, CNN, and OPRAH.

Dr. Siebert was founder and Director of The Resiliency Center. He spoke at many conferences and worked with many groups on how to thrive under pressure, manage non-stop change, and develop resiliency strengths. He gave keynotes at conferences of many professional groups. He was the keynote speaker at the international conference of the Employee Assistance Society of North America, launching their new, proactive mission to develop resiliency skills in employees. He created and taught the highly rated "Resiliency Advantage" seminar at the US Federal Eastern Management Development Center for federal managers, and at the time of his death was one of three senior advisors working with the US Army Medical Service to create "Provider Resiliency Training" workshops for the working staff in US Army medical installations.

Al Siebert lived in Portland, Oregon, with his wife Molly, two tuxedo cats, and a Newfoundland dog.