The Role of Stress Management in the Therapeutic Process - Coursework Example

Critically Evaluate the Role of Stress Management in the Therapeutic Process Name Tutor Course Date Contents Introduction 3 Anxiety and Depression and Mindfulness 4 The Six Core Conditions 7 Analysis of the core Conditions 10 Conclusion 12 References 14 Introduction It is the individuals way of reacting to any surrounding circumstances which can be caused by either good or bad experiences one goes through in the day to day living conditions. This is a state of emotional, physical or mental strain or tension that usually results from adverse or demanding circumstances. When one is feeling stressed by something going on around them, their bodies through reflex action react by releasing some chemicals into the blood which can be a good thing if the stress is brought about by physical danger as explained by Hans Seyle (1956) who states that stress is not necessarily something bad, it all depends with on how you take it .however, it can be harmful if the stress is in reaction to something that is emotional and there is no outlet for this built energy and strength (Cormier 2008). Stress is caused by very many different things which range from physical to emotional. Some of the most common sources of stress are; Survival stress-which is a common response to danger Internal stress-caused by worrying about things you cannot control Fatigue and overwork-which are mainly brought about by overworking oneself to extra limits. External stress-which mostly happens physically. This paper therefore surveys the various dimensions of anxiety, depression as well as mindfulness and their role in stress management. The survey will also include various conditions that relate to mindfulness and how they relate to the stress management approach. In doing this, the report will draw its information from existing sources of information which will form the basis of my reference. Anxiety and Depression and Mindfulness Anxiety and depression are psychological and physiological states characterized by nervousness, fear, apprehension and worrying. They take various forms such as phobia, social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress. They are usually accompanied by various physical symptoms (Shapiro, Shauna, & Linda 2007). These indications are linked to the heart, lung, and nervous, digestive system. It may be caused by a mental state, the effects of drugs or from a mixture of both. Examples of these symptoms are dizziness, headaches, and numbness, shooting pains, frequent urination and nausea. Usually, anxiety follows a much slower progression and could begin with panic attacks, then hypochondria, and finally resulting to depression (Shapiro, Shauna, & Linda 2007). Many people in the world are affected by stress. The difference between these people comes in the way they perceive and handle the stress. Some people take it positively which makes them handle the situation in an effective way thus lesser impacts it has on them. Others are usually unable to cope with the stress. These types of people are mostly affected to the point of sickness and later death, and that is why there are various different ways and techniques of managing stress. These are techniques, programs and approaches intended to equip a person with efficient and effective coping mechanisms that will help him or her deal with the psychological stress in their lives by critically analyzing the specific stressors and taking positive actions to minimize their impacts. Stress management process therefore, involves identification of the stressors, eliminating the negative stressors and finally developing effective coping mechanisms to counteract the reaction. Mostly, counselors work together with individuals in order to determine the stress management program that will work best for that person. Different people have different ways of dealing with stress and, therefore, the approach used by one person is not necessarily the same approach that would be used by someone else. Stress management hence ranges from different approaches (Shapiro, Shauna, & Linda 2007). Stress management approach is a very vital tool that is normally used in the therapeutic process. There are very many different ways of applying these approaches. During therapy, problem identification is the main point of emphasis. Stress management helps one to be calm and be effective in high-pressure situation, and helps to avoid the problems of long term stress. The client must be able to trace the problem, and this is easily achieved through the stress management whereby the therapist guides the client on its identification. This is easily achieved through closely looking at the habits, attitudes and excuses (Greenberger & Padeshy 1995). Many practical stress management techniques are employed in the therapeutic process, some for use by health physicians, and others for self help which may help the individual to reduce stress in one’s life and promote general well-being. the Therapist works at helping the client to remove stressors by developing new habits .although it is difficult to if not impossible to change stressful situation, we can however change and reduce our exposure to those stressful situations (Payne & Donaghy 2010). The therapist using the stress management approach during therapy helps the client to reduce the anxiety that has built up over time and this in result increases the psychological contact. He or she is clearly able to comprehend what the customer is going through which makes it easier to identify the stressor and from this point it becomes easy for the two parties to be in contact. The therapist encourages the client to engage in certain activities that would put his mind busy and therefore avoiding too much thinking. Such activities include doing more home practice that would keep the client engaged (Germer & Siegel 2005). This yield positive results eventually hence a good measure of controlling depression and anxiety. However, sometimes the stress management approach does not fully help in the therapeutic process. This is because even though it helps a person reduce symptoms and impacts of anxiety, it does not give the client the opportunity to experience anxiety (Payne & Donaghy 2010). This is the process used by therapists in helping people that are depressed and anxious to recognize their main source of problem by arranging sessions in which the clients tend to air them and the therapist in turn provides mental assessment (Sarafino 2010). The process does involve giving solutions but rather guidance on how to deal with the problem. The therapist applies various techniques including the stress management approach. For it to be formed ,there must be a connection between the customer and the therapist who agree on meeting during various sessions, the sessions are meant for releasing the inbuilt pressure on the clients mind (Sarafino 2010). Most prominently, the patron needs to sense that they won’t be judged based on their habits and emotions. Clients require different lengths of therapy and time limited contract is not appropriate. Making clear boundaries can help to make therapy a safer place knowing that they will be attended to regularly and how long the session lasts to give the client some security (Davis, Eschelman, & McKay 1995). While stress is a response to any situation that is perceived to alter or affect the well being of humanity, anxiety on the other hand is a cognitive function that can produce an unemotional state of uneasiness, distress and discomforts. Depression is a disorder that affects the mood. These three mood disorders are somehow interrelated in that they all affect a person’s way of life. These three conditions have taken a greater toll in the current population whereby most people suffer from one, two or all the conditions (Shapiro, Shauna, & Linda 2007). While some arise from medical background, others develop it even in the work place. Some working places do not provide good working conditions for the employees or sometimes lesser salaries that do not meet the necessities of the consumers leading to greater stress and finally depression. Their bosses therefore affecting them causing them to be anxious harass some workers (Zindel 2001). Therefore, stress is a condition that is welcomed by various conditions of the human body as well as the various environmental occurrences. In managing stress, various steps have to be taken in order to reverse such occurrences. Therapy has been seen to be the best way of dealing with stress and its effects on various individuals. Depression affects the mood of a person, but eventually affects the physical body. Sudden weight loss or weight gain is brought about by depression. Anxiety has also been seen to affect various people, both at home as at work (Zindel 2001). The Six Core Conditions Mindfulness is a stress management approach that pays greater attention on the state of mind of the patient. Mindfulness refers to paying consideration in a precise way, on determination, in the present minute, and non-judgmentally which increase awareness, clarity and acceptance of the reality (Helmick, Felson, Lawrence, & Gabriel 2008). It is a simple and practical way of noticing thoughts, physical sensations, sight, sound, test and smells. Depression and anxiety lead to habitual negative thinking and beliefs. Changing these pattern of negativity is not a matter of will, but a matter of coming up and emerging an unbiased and watchful affiliation with the core feelings that tend to empower the negative thoughts and beliefs (Cormier 2008). Therefore, this is where mindfulness comes in order to give us the necessary tools that would help us cultivate this quality of inner relationship and this lays the foundation for significant change and transformation (Selye 1956). In simple terms, mindfulness restores the state of plasticity at the emotional levels which forms the central point of healing process. People suffering from anxiety and depression manifested by fear, traumatic memory and irritation are strongly advised to learn how to establish a mindful relationship with the feeling energy that is trapped within their memory, belief, thoughts or other contents that define their experience in the present. There are various necessary and sufficient conditions which relate to mindfulness; In this context, there must be a relationship between two people, that is; the therapist and the client who is the person suffering from depression or anxiety. These two parties must be in contact bound by a mutual relationship that would result to a clear understanding of the problem dealt with. The client must be free to express his or her condition to the therapist without any fear. This form of transparency would open up the idea of the client and based on the relationship, the therapist is able to form a clear decision (Germer & Siegel 2005). Usually, the therapist does not give solutions but rather give alternatives on which the client has to decide on. In order for this relationship to exist, the therapist and the client must build a rapport. The therapist must be confidential and this would create trust between the two hence acts as a good source of communication. The depressed party gives his or her beliefs and from this through mindfulness which enables the therapist to guide him through. The development of trust is not simple it is core to the whole process. If trust is to develop, the client needs to feel there is seriousness, and the client is sincere to the therapist (Shapiro, Shauna, & Linda 2007). The relationship between the therapist and the patient has to be a very close one in order for the two to agree on various things. The therapist needs to know nearly all information to do with the patient. Therefore, they have to be in a close relationship. This is one of the various ways in which mindfulness contributes to a state of wellbeing (Payne & Donaghy 2010). The client needs to be very free in expressing himself or herself to the therapist so that the therapist is able to understand and design the best way to deal with the problems of the patient. However, the therapist needs to very careful in handling clientele information since the information expressed to the therapist is usually very confidential. Therefore the therapist should keep the informati0on as confidential as possible. Therefore, there has to be mutual trust. The development of trust between the therapist and the patient has to be definite (Harris 2009). For mindfulness to take place, the client must be the one depressed or anxious. There are various symptoms of depression which include lack of interest, low self esteem, loss of weight, insomnia, oversleeping, loss of appetite, restlessness, and irritability and low moods. Sometimes the client might be so depressed to the extent of suffering from various illnesses (Germer & Siegel 2005). With the help of trained professionals, clients should talk through the problems related with their mental illness which will allow them to explore the factors involved in making them ill in the first place and what keeps them from recovering. This will help them release the pressure and by sharing the problem one is able to relax (Payne, et al. 2010). No therapeutic process should be carried out to congruent person. The therapist must be fully satisfied that the client is in an anxious situation and requires attention. The therapist should be in every way in a position to offer guidance and counseling to the client in the time of mindfulness (Germer, et al. 2005). The therapist carries out therapy on its own or combined with medication. He or she must have undergone training in the related field for him or her to form good judgments. The therapist must have a vast experience which is dynamic to offer recognized therapies to their client. The therapist must be in the right mind to perform such tasks and must be qualified to handle all the problems brought about by the client (Shapiro, et al. 2007). Analysis of the core Conditions Mindfulness has been seen to be key in the stress management approach that has been discussed earlier. The six conditions are dependent on the state of mindfulness that exists between the client and the therapist in order to carry out productive therapy that is aimed at helping the patient to be in a state of wellbeing (Cutolo & RH 2006). In the context of anxiety and depression, mindfulness in very useful in identifying and describing the entry behavior of a patient. This therefore means that the patient has to be in a special relationship with the therapist. Being close to one another will help the therapist to understand the patient even more. Therefore, anxiety and depression can be corrected through understanding the patient as well as the state of mind. Conditions that are relative to mindfulness differ from one patient to another. When it happens, the therapist has to use a variety of methods that are relative to the present patient (Shapiro, Shauna, & Linda 2007). Mindfulness can be a benefit to depression and anxiety because it helps the therapist know the patient in detail. By so doing, the patient can be helped from a better perspective. However, in some cases, mindfulness may not help the therapist to deal with anxiety and depression. This is because some patients may not fully liberate their state of mind to the therapist. This happens when the patient is too secretive and thus the patient cannot express himself or herself (Harris 2009). Throughout the mindfulness process, the therapist must learn to understand their clients more. He or she must be able to view their client’s problem from the same point of view. For a successful session, the therapist has to accept the situation and be ready to assist in whichever way. The client should be in a good environment to express feelings and emotions which must be provided by the therapist through appreciating them and encouraging them hence acting as a motivation towards recovering (Germer, et al. 2005). The therapist should put him or herself in the clients’ shoe. This does not mean that the therapist is sympathizing with the client but rather understanding what the client is going through and is ready to offer help. For this to be achieved, the client must be very transparent in letting out the situation. This will enable the therapist to form a wider picture of the situation and offer possible opinions and alternatives. For the therapist to be able to understand the client, he or she must have a wider experience that is often obtained from training (Harris 2009). The client should not be fully convinced that the psychoanalyst sympathizes with him or her. This is because the client would tend to either give false information or exaggerated emotions that would lead to impairment of the therapists’ opinion. Just because the two parties are in agreement, doesn’t mean that the therapist should support or back up whatever the client says. The client however should be a little bit open with the therapist (Weinberg, et al. 2007). In stress management, the therapist does not give solutions to patients due to the various conditions that relate to mindfulness mindfulness that vary from one client to another. Therefore, the client has to decide on. In order for this relationship to exist, the therapist and the client must build a rapport. The therapist must be confidential and this would create trust between the two hence acts as a good source of communication. The depressed party gives his or her beliefs and from this through mindfulness which enables the therapist to guide him through. The development of trust is not simple it is core to the whole process. If trust is to develop, the client needs to feel there is seriousness, and the client is sincere to the therapist (Shapiro, Shauna, & Linda 2007). The therapist using the state of mindfulness during therapy helps the client to reduce the anxiety that has built up over time and this in result increases the psychological contact. He or she is clearly able to comprehend what the customer is going through which makes it easier to identify the stressor and from this point it becomes easy for the two parties to be in contact. The therapist encourages the client to engage in certain activities that would put his mind busy and therefore avoiding too much thinking. Such activities include doing more home practice that would keep the client engaged (Germer & Siegel 2005). Therefore, mindfulness is much more a condition that is brought about by anxiety and depression, together with other mood disorders. Conclusion Anxiety and depression are all a states of low mood that tend to affect ones thoughts, feelings, behavior and physical well-being. They normally characterized by sadness, loss of interests, low self-esteem, irritability and suicidal thoughts. It is often used to signify this disorder but may refer to disorders or to lower mood states lacking clinical implication (Weinberg & Cooper 2007). As stated earlier, mindfulness brings one to the present moment. It is mostly used by the therapists to help the clients in the recovery process. Most depressed and anxious people have a negative thinking and beliefs which in turn greatly affects their emotions. The process of mindfulness is applied by the therapists to help the clients in changing their negative opinion towards life (MH 2003). In conclusion, most people are faced with these problems of depression, stress and anxiety that affect their day to day lives. Recently, it has been found out that even the young generation is not an exception and is also vulnerable to these conditions hence leading to increased illnesses that sometimes often result to death. There has been an increase in then number of therapeutic centers with a growing number of people venturing into these processes to help in eliminating their impact. Stress management approaches have also been widely used with various techniques that come hand in hand with the therapeutic process. The way we perceive life determines the level of stress. Those who think positively are rarely affected by these conditions and they thus lead a much happier life. Those who think negatively are the people who are easy targets because vulnerable to these conditions. References Cormier, S. (2008). Interviewing and Change Strategies for Helpers. Wadsworth. Cutolo, & RH, S. (2006). Stress as a risk factor in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Neuroimmunomodulation, 277–282. Davis, Eschelman, R., & McKay. (1995). The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook. 4th ed. . Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications. Germer, K., & Siegel, S. (2005). Mindfulness and Psychotherapy. Guilford Press. Greenberger, & Padeshy. (1995). Mind Over Mood. Change How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think . New York, NY: Guilford Publications. Harris, R. (2009). Act Made Simple: An Easy-to-Read Primer on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. New Harbinger Publications. Helmick, Felson, Lawrence, & Gabriel. (2008). Estimates of the prevalence of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions in the United States. Arthritis Rheum 58, 15-25. Lehrer, Woolfolk, P., Sime, R., & Wesley. (2007). Principles and practice of stress management. New York : Guilford. MH, A. (2003). Stress management effects on psychological, endocrinological, and immune functioning in men with HIV infection: empirical support for a psychoneuroimmunological model. Stress 6, 173–188. Payne, R., & Donaghy, M. (2010). Payne's Handbook of Relaxation Techniques: A Practical Guide for the Health Care Professional. Churchill Livingstone. Selye, H. (1956). The Stress-concept as it Presents Itself. S. Karger. Byrd-Craven, J., Geary, D. C., Rose, A. J., & Ponzi, D. 2008. “Co-ruminating increase stress hormone levels in women,” Hormones and Behavior, 53, 489–492. Biswas-Diener, R. and Diener, E. 2001. “Making the best of a bad situation: Satisfaction in the slums of Calcutta,” Social Indicators Research, 55, 329-352 Burpee, L. and Langer, E. 2005. “Mindfulness and marital satisfaction,” Journal of Adult Development, 12: 43-51. Fredrickson, Barbara. 1998. What good are positive emotions? Review of General Psychology, 2:300-319. Fiese, Barbara H.; Tomcho, Thomas J.; Douglas, Michael; Josephs, Kimberly ; Poltrock, Scott; and Baker, Tim. (2002)."A Review of 50 Years of Research on Naturally Occurring Family Routines and Rituals: Cause for Celebration?," ; Journal of Family Psychology, Vol. 16, No. 4. Germer, K., & Siegel, S. 2005. Mindfulness and Psychotherapy. Guilford Press. Harris, R. 2009. Act Made Simple: An Easy-to-Read Primer on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. New Harbinger Publications. Lehrer, Woolfolk, P., Sime, R., & Wesley. 2007. Principles and practice of stress management. New York : Guilford. Payne, R., & Donaghy, M. 2010. Payne's Handbook of Relaxation Techniques: A Practical Guide for the Health Care Professional. Churchill Livingstone. Richard G.Tedeschi and Lawrence G. Calhoun. 1996.“The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory: Measuring the positive legacy of trauma,” Journal of Traumatic Stress, July, 9(3):455-471 Seligman, M., Stern, T., Park, N & Peterson, C. (2005). “Positive Psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions,” American Psychologist, 60: 410-421 Sarafino, E. 2010. Health Psychology: Biopsychosocial Interactions. John Wiley & Sons. Shapiro, Shauna, & Linda, C. 2007. The art and science of mindfulness : integrating mindfulness into psychology and the helping professions. Washington, DC : American Psychological Association. Toni, Nicolas, et. al. (2007). “Synapse formation on neurons born in the adult hippocampus,” Nature Neuroscience, June 10(6): 727-734. Weinberg, A., & Cooper, C. 2007. Surviving the Workplace: A Guide to Emotional Well-being. Cengage Learning. Zindel, S. 2001. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression : a new approach to preventing relapse. New York ; London : Guilford,. Read More

Stress management approach is a very vital tool that is normally used in the therapeutic process. There are very many different ways of applying these approaches. During therapy, problem identification is the main point of emphasis. Stress management helps one to be calm and be effective in high-pressure situation, and helps to avoid the problems of long term stress. The client must be able to trace the problem, and this is easily achieved through the stress management whereby the therapist guides the client on its identification.

This is easily achieved through closely looking at the habits, attitudes and excuses (Greenberger & Padeshy 1995). Many practical stress management techniques are employed in the therapeutic process, some for use by health physicians, and others for self help which may help the individual to reduce stress in one’s life and promote general well-being. the Therapist works at helping the client to remove stressors by developing new habits .although it is difficult to if not impossible to change stressful situation, we can however change and reduce our exposure to those stressful situations (Payne & Donaghy 2010).

The therapist using the stress management approach during therapy helps the client to reduce the anxiety that has built up over time and this in result increases the psychological contact. He or she is clearly able to comprehend what the customer is going through which makes it easier to identify the stressor and from this point it becomes easy for the two parties to be in contact. The therapist encourages the client to engage in certain activities that would put his mind busy and therefore avoiding too much thinking.

Such activities include doing more home practice that would keep the client engaged (Germer & Siegel 2005). This yield positive results eventually hence a good measure of controlling depression and anxiety. However, sometimes the stress management approach does not fully help in the therapeutic process. This is because even though it helps a person reduce symptoms and impacts of anxiety, it does not give the client the opportunity to experience anxiety (Payne & Donaghy 2010). This is the process used by therapists in helping people that are depressed and anxious to recognize their main source of problem by arranging sessions in which the clients tend to air them and the therapist in turn provides mental assessment (Sarafino 2010).

The process does involve giving solutions but rather guidance on how to deal with the problem. The therapist applies various techniques including the stress management approach. For it to be formed ,there must be a connection between the customer and the therapist who agree on meeting during various sessions, the sessions are meant for releasing the inbuilt pressure on the clients mind (Sarafino 2010). Most prominently, the patron needs to sense that they won’t be judged based on their habits and emotions.

Clients require different lengths of therapy and time limited contract is not appropriate. Making clear boundaries can help to make therapy a safer place knowing that they will be attended to regularly and how long the session lasts to give the client some security (Davis, Eschelman, & McKay 1995). While stress is a response to any situation that is perceived to alter or affect the well being of humanity, anxiety on the other hand is a cognitive function that can produce an unemotional state of uneasiness, distress and discomforts.

Depression is a disorder that affects the mood. These three mood disorders are somehow interrelated in that they all affect a person’s way of life. These three conditions have taken a greater toll in the current population whereby most people suffer from one, two or all the conditions (Shapiro, Shauna, & Linda 2007). While some arise from medical background, others develop it even in the work place. Some working places do not provide good working conditions for the employees or sometimes lesser salaries that do not meet the necessities of the consumers leading to greater stress and finally depression.

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