Jonathon C. Smith, PhD, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, and founder and Director of the Roosevelt University Stress Institute. He has published numerous articles and 11 books on stress, relaxation, and mediation; and has taught stress management and relaxation to thousands of individuals, corporations, and clinics. Roosevelt University has granted Dr. Smith a Distinguished Professorship in order to conduct ABC relaxation research and develop the Stress Institute.

• Preface Part I: Stress Basics Stress Competency and the Smith Stress Management Skills Inventory Stress Concepts, Exercises Crises, Catastrophes, and Acute Stress Disorder Part II: The Four Pillars of Stress Management ABC Relaxation, Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Autogenic TrainingBreathing and Stretching Exercises Sense Imagery and MeditationHow to Make a Relaxation Recording: ABC Relaxation ScriptingMini-Relaxation Relaxation, Centering, and Stress Management, Exercises Problem-Solving Productive Problem Orientation Initial Distress: Identifying Clear and Concrete Problem CuesDefining the Problem in a Way Most Likely to be SolvedGenerating Alternative Solutions, When Solutions Do Not Work, Exercises Thinking Realistically and Productively: The Smith Irrational Beliefs Inventory, Understanding the Role of Distorted Thinking Catching Thoughts Reality Checking The “Big Five” Cognitive Distortions and the Smith Irrational Beliefs Inventory A Three Step System for Changing Distorted ThinkingCognitive Approaches and Cue-Response-ConsequencesStop Worry, Exercises Review and Rehearsal Exposure Desensitization Stress Inoculation and Relapse Prevention Processes Underlying Review and Rehearsal When to Choose Exposure, Desensitization, or Stress Inoculation Training, Exercises Part III: Interpersonal Skills: Relationships and Stress Management Assertiveness, Exercises Empathic Listening Empathy and Assertive Coping Goals and Priorities Scheduling An Alternative Time Management Technique: Schedule-Reward-DoConclusion, Exercises Relaxation Beliefs, Active Coping Beliefs, and Philosophy of Life References