* train graduate-level students in counselling psychology in the clinical procedures of assessment and intervention for management of stress;
* conduct research on issues related to stress and its management;
* develop a public education program which would bring stress management to the attention of the community.
To achieve some of these ends, the Stress Management and Counselling Clinic was opened in March 1992. Construction of the clinic was funded entirely by outside sources and major grants were received from several philanthropic agencies.
The clinic offers a psychological service to the general public on a means-tested, fee-for-service basis. The clinic is staffed by two full-time and three part-time psychologists under the supervision of the director, Associate Professor C F Sharpley. Students from the Master of Psychology (Counselling) also perform supervised casework in the clinic and students from other faculties within Monash (eg Medicine) and other universities have also spent valuable time in the clinic.
The clinic's services include computerised stress assessment and individual counselling for stress management and related psychological concerns. The clinic also offers physical fitness assessment and advice with the aim of helping clients to develop more effective lifestyles for coping with stress.
The centre engages actively in outreach programs - developing community-based education for stress management. Publicity campaigns for workshops are aimed at groups which would not otherwise have access to such services (eg migrants, low income earners, the unemployed). It is a primary aim of the centre to develop this aspect of its work.
The central focus of the centre is on research. A three-year project into the self-control of heart rate reactivity to stressful events was funded by the NHMRC in 1990-92, with major equipment grants in 1991 and 1992. Additionally, the ARC has funded a project concerning microanalysis of counselling interviews, with the long term aim of developing more effective counsellor-education programs. Two research laboratories were constructed from a generous grant from the Helen M Schutte Foundation. About twelve higher degree students are currently carrying out programs in these laboratories.
Further information about the centre or the Stress Management and Counselling Clinic may be obtained from the director, Associate Professor C F Sharpley, phone (03) 905 2868, or from the clinic directly on (03) 905 5469.