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Stress management begins with active listening.
	Active listening will help reveal the chief sources of stress and in itself has a positive effect on stress levels.
	Begin by encouraging the patient to discuss the issues as they see them before asking specific questions, but be aware that
presenting symptoms and complaints may not identify all stressors or other problems (ask about family and work circumstances, alcohol and drug consumption, recent life events) many people will present with physical symptoms (headaches, other pains, insomnia, loss of appetite) and suspicions of physical illness rather than complaints of stress (the task is to identify the stress from their personal history and show them the link between the stress and the symptoms).
Always bear in mind that people who feel they are facing intolerable stress may have thoughts of suicide.

On to section 7.3 . . .