The Diploma in Stress Management Training
The Contents of the Training

Session One

We introduce the nature of stress and its management and give basic information about causes and associated problems. We introduce you to stress assessment procedures, teaching you to assess the risk of stress-related illness and the nature of the stress problem. We teach you to assess and record your cases so that assessment of outcome is part of the treatment process. We introduce ‘Therapeutic information giving’ as a treatment and teach you how to use relaxation training and guided fantasy in practice. We discuss the causes and symptoms of agoraphobia and present a treatment model. There is a case study on work-related stress and relaxation exercise on passive progressive muscular relaxation.

Session Two

We introduce muscular relaxation as a treatment for stress. Muscular tension contributes to chronic stress, which is a habit built over years. We show you how to teach clients the habit of relaxation. We show you how to assess client strengths and weaknesses in coping with stress and explore the client's approach to the problem. We cover practice issues in groupwork and games for groups. We discuss the causes and symptoms of social phobia and present a treatment model. There is a case study on panic disorder and a relaxation exercise on active progressive muscular relaxation.

Session Three

We introduce relaxed breathing and focus on the particular problems of stress in the workplace. The causes and symptoms of stress are discussed and there is a further assessment of personality and the risk of illness. The major causes of work-related stress are introduced and ways of reducing work-related stress are discussed. The role stress plays in physical illness is covered. The causes and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder are discussed and a treatment model presented. There is a case study on free-floating anxiety and a relaxation exercise introducing relaxed breathing.

Session Four

We introduce Cognitive Therapy and Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy which argue that stress may be caused by negative thinking. If we distort a situation in our minds, our emotional response is in line with the distortion, not the facts. We introduce a method for uncovering negative thinking and show you how to assess depression. We introduce Problem Solving Therapy as a treatment and provide a model for its use. There is a case study on a psychosis masked by the symptoms of stress and a relaxation exercise on deep physical and mental relaxation.

Session Five

We continue the issue of breathing, which is the one important function of our bodies, closely connected with our emotions, which we can consciously control. We look at hyperventilation and introduce breath control techniques. We discuss the use of 'triggers' and explore the social costs and causes of stress. We introduce Time Management as a treatment and provide a model for its use. There is a case study on stress-related illness and a relaxation exercise teaching deep breathing and breath control.

Session Six

We explore further the social causes of stress. We introduce a method to challenge both negative thinking and negative behaviour patterns and we explore the possibilities of replacing them with more positive thoughts and behaviours. We teach you how to build the client's self-esteem, and provide a model for the treatment of low client self-esteem. There is a case study on agoraphobia and a relaxation exercise based on autogenic training.

Session Seven

We introduce Positive Thinking and the development of positive behaviour, based on higher self-esteem and we also look at the role that bereavement can play in the development of stress disorders. The role of the caring professions in their work with stress is discussed and Anchoring techniques are introduced. We discuss the relationship between stress and addictions and a model for the treatment of addictions is presented. There is a case study on phobia and a relaxation exercise on anchoring to positive thoughts and feelings.

Session Eight

We introduce issues of diet and exercise and the role that stress plays in the development of eating disorders and the use of dietary supplements in treating stress. We look at the different models of counselling in relation to stress management. We discuss private practice, professional ethics and our code of ethics. We introduce Assertiveness Training as a treatment and provide a model for its use. We teach you how to assess the measures of stress used in the Training Course, and show you how to assess changes in client attitude, behaviour and goals for the future. Evaluation of Training for both clients and Trainees is covered. There is a case study on social phobia and a relaxation exercise on inner peace and health.