Principles and practice of stress management

Recent years have seen significant advances in understanding psychosocial stress and its clinical management. Now in a thoroughly revised and expanded third edition, this comprehensive work reviews effective stress management techniques and their applications for treating psychological problems and enhancing physical health and performance. Bringing together recognized leaders in the field to present their respective approaches and demonstrate the nuts and bolts of intervention, the volume is structured for optimal use as a clinical reference and text. All chapters retained from the prior edition have been extensively rewritten, and many new chapters have been added. Part I examines conceptual foundations and describes basic mechanisms of stress and relaxation. Part II, the largest section, covers the full range of methods, including progressive relaxation, hypnosis, biofeedback, meditation, cognitive methods, and other therapies. Each tightly edited chapter: (1) Details the method's history, theoretical underpinnings, and evidence base; (2) Spells out assessment procedures and techniques; (3) Provides step-by-step implementation guidelines; (4) Considers common treatment obstacles and how to overcome them; (5) Discusses strategies for increasing patient motivation and adherence; and (6) Illustrates the method with an in-depth case example. New to the third edition are chapters on mindfulness meditation, neurofeedback, EMDR, breathing retraining, heart rate variability biofeedback, exercise therapy, and Qigong. Finally, Part III explores applications in mental health, behavioral medicine, and sport psychophysiology (another new topic in this edition), shedding light on which approaches are most suitable for particular problems. The concluding chapter reviews the clinical research literature and offers clear recommendations for improving outcomes. This timely, authoritative book is an indispensable resource for clinical and health psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, nurses, and other professionals interested in learning and using stress management techniques. It will serve as a text in graduate-level courses in stress management, behavioral medicine, social work in health care, and related areas.

Book

English

Paul M. Lehrer
Robert L. Woolfolk
Wesley E. Sime

Lehrer, P. M., Woolfolk, R. L., & Sime, W. E. (2007). Principles and practice of stress management. (3rd Ed.) New York, NY: Guilford Press