Diploma in Stress Management

Introduction to the Training Course
The training course shows you how to teach people to better manage stress. We do not attempt to eliminate stress altogether as we need a certain amount of stress in our lives in order to achieve our goals. The training course presents the theory, skills and techniques of Stress Management Training in a logical and user-friendly way, teaching beginners in Stress Management to become skilled and competent trainers as rapidly as possible with no loss of quality. The training course is both a training package in Stress Management, which can be used immediately as it stands, and an assessed training course leading to the Diploma in Stress Management Training. The training is designed in such a way that trainees can speedily put it to use within their current work or in private practice.

Our Methods of Teaching
The training course consists of eight sessions, each having as its core a CD containing both a lecture and a relaxation exercise. There are eight lectures and relaxation exercises in all. These can be used directly with clients and can be copied for clients‘ use at home. Your work is also guided by session plans; each session includes two session plans with step-by-step guides to working with individuals and groups. We also present research notes with each session providing in-depth background information. There are treatment models for use with specific stress-related disorders, and in-depth presentations of related therapies of particular value in the treatment of stress. We also present eight case studies and include worksheets for training use, together with master copies of all stress management forms, logs, questionnaires and handouts for you to photocopy for your work with clients. We further provide a CD containing all these forms, enabling you to edit the materials to include your own details and logo when working with clients.

The Lectures
Each of the eight sessions includes a lecture on CD introducing aspects of stress and its treatment. Lectures last from five to ten minutes each and are suitable for direct use with clients. There is also a script for those who prefer to deliver their own lectures.

The Relaxation Exercises
Each of the eight sessions includes a Relaxation Exercise on CD, which can be copied for clients‘ use at home. These are for direct use with clients and last from fifteen to twenty minutes each. There is a script for each exercise, together with back-up information in the Research Notes, for those who wish to develop their skills in this area. These are the exercises included in the Training:
1. Passive Progressive Muscular Relaxation
2. Active Progressive Muscular Relaxation
3. Introducing Relaxed Breathing
4. Deep Physical and Mental Relaxation
5. The Full Breath and Square Breathing Exercise
6. Autogenic Relaxation Training
7. Anchoring to Positive Thoughts and Feelings
8. Inner Peace and Health

The Session Plans
Each session includes two session plans, one for individual work and one for group work. These give you a step-by-step guide to Stress Management Training with individuals and groups, and include suggestions for discussion, methods of assessment, methods of measuring and recording, questionnaires, handouts, and Master Copies of all these for you to photocopy for your own work or edit and print from CD.

The Research Notes
Each session includes Research Notes providing background knowledge to the skills and techniques and covering many issues relating to stress.

The Related Training
Four additional Trainings for stress are presented in step-by-step detail.
1. Problem Solving Therapy
2. Time Management
3. Self-esteem Building
4. Assertiveness Training

The Treatment Models
In-depth descriptions and treatments are introduced for the following:
1. Agoraphobia
2. Social phobia
3. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
4. Alcohol/drug dependency
These treatments can also provide models for the treatment of many other disorders.

Case Studies
Each session has a case study, discussing treatment and outcome in eight cases.

The Structure of the Course
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 group work 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 Behavioural Therapy in theory and practise. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy argues that stress may be caused by our patterns of thinking. If we distort a situation in our minds, our emotional response is in line with the distortion, not the facts. We introduce a Cognitive Behavioural method for uncovering negative thinking. We show you how to assess degrees of Client depression. We introduce Problem Solving Therapy as a treatment and provide a model for its use. There is a case-study on psychosis masked by stress and a relaxation exercise on deep 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 Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic method to challenge both negative thinking and negative behaviour patterns and 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 a Cognitive Behavioural Method of banishing negative thinking and the development of more positive and realistic thoughts together with positive behaviour, based on higher self-esteem. We 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 further 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 agoraphobia 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, and 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.

The Diploma
The Diploma in Stress Management Training is an award made by The Stress Consultancy. It is awarded to those who have completed the training course and on the submission of one set essay (1,000) words and one long essay (3,000 words) on a relevant topic, chosen by the trainee and related to Stress Management Training. This essay should demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the chosen subject and the stress management training course. Essays to be submitted within 18 months of enrolment and to be to the required standard. In the event of failure resubmission under tutorial advice is possible. Successful trainees may use the form ‘Dip. Stress Management Training’ after their names

Professional Liability Insurance
Trainees on either of our training courses can obtain a Certificate of Professional Liability Insurance. This insurance includes cover for Public Liability, Professional Indemnity, Product Liability and Libel and Slander Insurance.