Stress Management

The first step in managing stress for any individual is to identify what is normal and what is excessive, as well as understanding the nature of it, both in terms of its precipitants and consequences.

Factors that allow us to make this assessment, are life style conditions, interpersonal relations, and self- imposed expectations regarding competence, and performance. Greater degrees of self-awareness are also helpful, as the individual distinguishes healthy from excessive levels.

For someone who has endured heightened levels of stress for a prolonged period of time, such a distinction may not be as apparent, as this condition may become "normal." Strategies and techniques will be devised to modify any unreasonable levels of stress in order to create lasting and permanent improvements both in terms of functioning and quality of life.