Group relaxation therapy to improve coping with stress

Relaxation techniques have been used increasingly in therapy with people who present with diverse anxiety and stress-related problems. Most applications, however, are aimed at a circumscribed problem area and use a specific relaxation procedure. The variety of patients and range of problems encountered in the evening mental health clinic of a teaching hospital prompted the authors to develop an approach that (1) incorporates a variety of cognitive and somatic techniques, (2) serves a heterogeneous population, (3) uses a time-limited group modality, and (4) encourages individual responsibility for selection and application of techniques. The content of each of the 6 sessions is described. Ss have indicated improvement in the areas of somatic complaints, interpersonal relationships, and sense of personal control. This approach appears to be a cost-effective way of teaching a heterogeneous population improved ways of coping with stress and encouraging individual responsibility for healthful behavior. (32 ref)