Mastring Stress Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mastering Stress?
Mastering Stress is a new and powerful Internet-based self-help program. This self-paced interactive program helps employees to become more aware of what triggers their stress, recognize how they typically react to stress and learn new ways of perceiving, responding to and resolving stressful problems.
How does the program work?
This self-paced interactive program helps employees to become more aware of what triggers their stress, recognize how they typically react to stress and learn new ways of perceiving, responding to and resolving stressful problems.
Stress relief is a step-by-step process. It requires changing attitudes and behaviors that address the source of the problem or change a response to the trigger as well as minimizing stress by taking preventative measures. Each action requires careful thought about what is taking place. Individuals must look at all their options, make intelligent choices, and plan and execute well-thought out action plans.
How will it benefit my employees?
This self-directed program helps employees
- To get the clarity necessary for taking effective action
- To develop more confidence in creative problem-solving abilities
- To have more energy to devote to achieving positive and satisfying goals
- To reduce sickness or lost time because of overwhelming stress
- To increased time spent in being productive rather than fighting off fatigue, irritability or the inability to concentrate
How will the corporation benefit?
The Mastering Stress program also facilitates employer goals
- To increase motivation and productivity of employees
- To reduce absenteeism and disability claims
- To promote utilization of EAP benefits and work site wellness programs
- To listen and respond to employee needs
- To facilitate employee's growth and loyalty to the company
Are there any risks?
Based on review by malpractice lawyers and liability insurance companies, it has been determined that there is no more liability associated with the content of the web site than publishing a self-help book.
Masteringstress.com Disclaimer Statement: This program is not a replacement for professional therapy and/or counseling. The critical thinking and problem solving methods presented here are designed to educate you about approaches you can use to improve the quality of your life. If you are at a high level of distress, we suggest you consult a therapist and/or physician.
How is this different from other stress management programs?
Managing stress programs usually focus on relaxation techniques and avoiding over-reacting to various stimuli. Mastering Stress helps the individual get to the issues that are causing stress and uses an action-oriented approach to directly address the source of the problem.
What are the technical issues?
Access to the Internet with a Browser that meets the following specifications:
- Minimum browser versions for Windows computers are:
- Netscape Navigator 4.0 or greater
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 or greater with JVM build 2436 or greater
- Minimum browser requirements for Macintosh computers are:
- Netscape Navigator 4.0 or greater
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 or greater
- The site is optimized for an 800 x 600 display resolution and 256 colors.
- In all cases Cookies and JavaScript must be enabled.
- For Internet Explorer Browse in a new process must be disabled.
What kind of reports can I get?
We will compile and review with you statistics and data to facilitate internal promotion, ensure effective use of the program and help you track trends within your company. We will forward reports on population Usage Patterns weekly or monthly, composite aggregate User Data quarterly and publish an annual Program Evaluation report.
Who developed the product?
The Mastering Stress program was created by Roger L. Gould, M.D., a renowned psychiatrist, author, Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA and founder of Interactive Health Systems (IHS). Dr. Gould, who is a leading authority on adult development and computer assisted psychotherapy, has helped thousands of people through various software products like the Mastering Stress program.
What's the best way to promote the product within my company?
You can distribute company access codes to your employees through e-mail, make announcements in company newsletters, circulate flyers or put up posters. (We provide samples.) We suggest that you encourage your EAP, HR or wellness department to integrate it into their services. You can even brand your own Pocket Folders for employees to store their worksheets in and include other relevant material. (We are also available to make onsite presentations.)
How do I get started?
Once you've decided to purchase the Mastering Stress program for your employees, all you need to do is give us some basic "Corporate Resource" information so that we can make certain modifications to the Internet application on the website. Then you can give your employee's access codes and promote the product internally.
Has any research been done on this product?
The critical thinking process and problem-solving techniques presented in the Mastering Stress program were developed from more than 25 years of research and clinical experience in the field of psychotherapy by Interactive Health Systems (IHS).
IHS has been creating psycho-educational software for over sixteen years, including a 10 session computer-assisted therapy program called the Therapeutic Learning Program. A recent study reported to the American Psychological Association by UCLA and Kaiser Permanente, concluded that the TLP is a powerful self-help tool and is as effective as short-term therapy with a professional counselor.
The TLP is based on a model of adult development evolved by Dr. Roger Gould, the founder of IHS. Masteringstress.com utilizes the same psychological processes and models inherent in the TLP.
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