In a recent article from USA Today there were several startling facts that dealt with the high costs of stress in the private sector. The statistics centered on the costs associated with mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, panic disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

Untreated stress costs the US $105 billion dollars annually in lost productivity, with employers covering up to $44 billion. In addition, there are new threats of litigation stemming from job related stresses and mounting pressures. Businesses must be vigilant in their observations of potential symptoms such as irritability, difficulty concentrating, difficulty making decisions and decreased energy.

The costs to the organizations are primarily related to sickness, absenteeism, reduced productivity and replacement costs. There may be further costs due to damage in production or equipment as well as costs in connection with grievances and medication costs. A potential public loss of goodwill towards the organization may be another expense.

Research has found that stress is likely to manifest itself behaviorally as well as attitudinally. It has been widely suggested that stress may result in a reduction of job satisfaction and commitment; unsafe behavior and increased propensity for accidents; and what may be referred to as “poor lifestyle habits”, e.g. increased smoking and alcohol consumption, and less attention to good diet etc.

The Solution
There is a promising new approach that is gaining recognition in the health and EAP arena. The results are helping individuals manage their stress on a 24/7 basis with minimal costs.

This approach uses the Internet as a delivery medium. It involves extensive online counseling which provides the basis for future treatment with trained professionals. The program is called Mastering My Life and is authored by a world renowned psychiatrist. Dr. Roger Gould is a medical doctor, a psychiatrist, psychotherapist and a successful author. He has over 40 years of experience in one-on-one counseling and 20 years of background developing his interactive therapeutic approach. His methods have been tested on over 20,000 individuals. Recent studies show that each of the guided sessions provides as much therapeutic benefit as a meeting with a therapist.

Mastering My Life deals with the following issues:

• Disagreements with other people
• Other people’s negative behavior
• Unwanted pressure to change
• Tension at work
• Unhealthy or poor communication
• Unfulfilled needs
• Desire to fulfill potential
• Daily stress
• Problems at home
• Common relationship problems
• Negative emotions
• Self-doubts and negative labels
• Parental problems or disputes

Mastering My Life is the FIRST computer assisted therapy program that helps individuals examine all of the difficult aspects of their life and helps them develop practical long lasting solutions. Initially the program focuses on "Taking Care of the Present" which deals with problems in the individual's work life, relationships, daily life, and family life. Next the program moves on to "Letting Go of the Past" and finally focuses on "Building a Solid Future."

To find out more about the program simply go to www.masteringmylife.com. If you'd like a free demo, please contact Jim Roberts, President of Technology Based Solutions at 215-579-0901. Jim can also be reached by email at jim@askTBS.com.

email: jim@asktbs.com

phone: 215.579.0901

web: http://www.asktbs.com