Stress Counseling Theory and Practice: A Cautionary Review

Abstract

In this era of growing emphasis on professional and financial accountability, stress counseling remains vague and imprecise. This article grounds stress counseling in responsible clinical methodology through reexamining and organizing the durable empirical literature to help counselors develop credible and effective interventions. A flowchart schema incorporating primary stress coping modalities of environment, cognitions, emotions, and personal life philosophy is presented to systematize intervention efforts to maximize efficient stress counseling services.

Structural Model of Coping, Appraisals, and Emotions After Relationship Breakup

“…Combative coping resources are defined by Matheny et al (1986) as those that tend to be drawn upon to alter or mitigate a stressor that is already being experienced. Wagenaar and LaForge (1994) pointed out that many stress therapies seem to rely exclusively on interventions that fall into this category, such as relaxation training and biofeedback. Matheny et al's (1986) taxonomy for dividing coping resources into preventive and combative categories may be particularly useful for clinical interventions, particularly when an instrument designed to measure specific resources such as the Coping Resources Inventory for Stress (CRIS; Matheny, Curlette, Aycock, Pugh, & Taylor, 1987) is used.…”

“…Because modern stressors are mainly psychosocial, they often persist for extended periods of time and contribute to a large array of psychophysiological disorders, including hypertension (Amigo, Buceta, Becona, & Bueno, 1991), immune system suppression (Antoni, 1987), and certain types of mental illness (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Wagenaar and LaForge (1994) pointed out that despite several decades of research and increasing attention in the public media, the practice of stress counseling remains vague and imprecise. Perhaps worse, information about stress counseling has at times been translated into clinical practice in simplistic ways, focusing on alleviating isolated symptoms of stress while ignoring long-term lifestyle changes that would have permanent stressreducing effects.…”

“…However, as in other areas of stress research, there is some ambiguity about what coping is and what role it plays in human functioning (Carver, Scheier, & Weintraub, 1989). This confusion is particularly evident in the clinical practice of stress counseling, where it is often unclear which coping strategies are most appropriate for a given complaint (Wagenaar & LaForge, 1994).…”

Structural Model of Coping and Emotions Produced by Taking a New Job

“…Employment counselors may therefore want to help clients recognize that their capacities for coping with vocational events can be an important aspect of emotional well-being and a vital component of career development. There is a problem, however: Despite several decades of research and increasing attention in the public media, the practice of stress counseling remains vague and imprecise (Wagenaar & LaForge, 1994). What is perhaps worse is that information about stress counseling has at times been translated into clinical practice in simplistic ways, focusing on alleviating isolated symptoms of stress while ignoring long-term lifestyle changes that could have permanent stress-reducing effects.…”

“…However, coping resources defined as combative in nature were related to subsequent emotional reactions experienced weeks or months later. Wagenaar and LaForge (1994) pointed out that many stress therapies seem to rely exclusively on combative strategies, such as relaxation training and biofeedback, to the exclusion of more preventive interventions that could have long-lasting ameliorative effects. If this model was supported with career activities, the potential usefulness seems clear: Although clients might seek out employment counselors to deal with a stressful work situation (combative coping), employment counselors might also be able to help them develop preventive resources that could alter or alleviate future vocational difficulties.…”