One-to-one sessions last 1-1.5 hour and are individually tailored.

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.

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 teach clients the habit of relaxation. We assess client strengths and weaknesses in coping with stress and explore the client's approach to the problem.

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.

Session Four
We introduce Cognitive Therapy and Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy which argues 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.

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.

Session Six
We explore further the social causes of stress. We introduce a method to challenge both negative thinking and negative behavior patterns and explores the possibilities of replacing them with more positive thoughts and behaviors. We teach you how to build self-esteem.

Session Seven
We introduce Positive Thinking and the development of positive behavior, based on higher self-esteem. We look at the role that bereavement can play in the development of stress disorders. We discuss the relationship between stress and addictions.

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 counseling in relation to stress management.

Stress in the Workplace
More and more employees are experiencing stress at work. They may be coping with too much pressure, long hours or rapid change. The nature of employment has now changed, and the idea of a job for life has been replaced by an emphasis on performance. More mergers and acquisitions are taking place within the workplace. Such changes may include reorgansiation, relocation, job-redesign and downsizing, all of which can contribute to stress.

Stress and the Risk of litigation
Stress is now recognised as a valid health and safety issue at work. Litigation is on the increase and employers need to be aware of their duties regarding current legislation, under which there have been successful claims. The Health and Safety Executive has launched a consultation exercise on the need for a legally binding code to enforce measures that reduce workplace stress and to make employer’s responsibilities more explicit. More and more employers are turning to Stress Management to tackle these problems. Stress Management can enable people to improve their own response to stress and enable the organisation to reduce workplace stressors. Our training package addresses the problems of stress with the twofold approach of Stress Auditing and Stress Management Training.

The Stress Audit for the Organisation
We carry out a Stress Audit for the organisation in line with the Management Standards set out by the Health and Safety Executive. The findings of the audit can be addressed in the Stress Management Training sessions.

Organisational Stress Management
Organisational Stress Management comprises a package of skills which aim to enable the individual employee and the organisation to better manage stress. Our training presents the theory and practice of Organisational Stress Management in a logical and user-friendly way. The Stress Management sessions provide an opportunity to tackle major workplace stressors using techniques from Problem Solving Therapy.