Assertiveness Training

Assertiveness Training - also known as self-esteem training - is a relatively new form of behaviour therapy designed to assist individuals to better stand up for themselves and empower themselves, less in contemporary terms. It is about assertiveness versus passive response. Simply put, assertiveness is the proactive response and self-esteem is the passive response. Assertiveness is also a defensive response that seeks to keep an appropriate balance between aggression and passivity. The passive form can be debilitating for some people.

This new focus on assertiveness training has emerged out of the recognition of many important recent psychological problems and illnesses, which have plagued humankind for centuries. One of the most common and perhaps the least obvious psychological problems and illness is depression. Depression is often associated with sadness, and many would argue that sadness is the more natural emotion. This may be true, but there is something to be said for the notion that depression can be an indicator of a deeper underlying condition, even one that is more difficult to treat. Perhaps because of past findings in psychology and in clinical psychology, people are now looking to the past findings on assertiveness to look for answers to psychological problems. While there is still much to learn and understand in this area, there are some important things that we already know and we should be able to adapt our thinking to support better mental health.

As a psychologist who specializes in assertiveness training, I have found that clients who are most depressed are those who are least confident. In my experience, depressed people are not particularly assertive or motivated. They tend to withdraw, and become procrastinators. Those who are confident are generally more assertive and more self-motivated. However, self-motivation can take many forms and may be dependent on other factors, such as self-image or self worth.

Many people who do self help with assertiveness training report that learning assertive techniques brought about major changes in their lives. Increased confidence and assertiveness made it possible for them to finally say no, to deal with certain traumatic events, and to feel safe and secure in relationships. Being able to say "no," "to deal with," and "feel safe" made these individuals feel good. In addition, learning these techniques made them less anxious, which reduced both physical and psychological anxiety.

What's also clear from the research is that there are distinct types of people, with different styles and personalities, who will need different types of help with assertiveness training. People who tend to be overly aggressive will benefit by learning to practice more assertive behavior in their daily lives. Those with lower levels of assertiveness will benefit by learning to practice more passive or non-aggressive behaviors. These techniques will help these individuals cope with their own and others' aggressive behaviors.

A look at the research literature suggests that women were more likely than men to pursue a professional degree in any number of fields, including law, medicine, and business. This was supported by further research in which women were shown to move away from the professions in which they were less employed. The same pattern was found when looking at occupations related to technology, engineering, and medicine. Interestingly enough, those working in clinical settings were shown to move away from the more "traditional" occupations like doctors and nurses. The data also indicated that professionals, especially those in clinical settings, we're now moving toward the vocations that are considered more "electronic" in nature.

One of the most common reasons that assertiveness training has been used for conflict resolution in psychological settings is to help clients and counselors express their own and others' feelings in healthy ways. When someone feels threatened or fearful in a situation, he or she may find it difficult to voice all of the emotions that are involved. Being able to do so can be very empowering and provides an opportunity for individuals to work out problems in healthy ways and to move forward rather than experience resistance. It is not uncommon for clients who have taken assertive psychological counseling courses to report that they had more fulfilling and rewarding relationships after taking such a course. With the implementation of this training, individuals can learn to better deal with potentially challenging situations in a way that does not lead to aggression or threats. This can be a wonderful skill that can benefit everyone.

As the stress and tension in today's society increases, many professionals are learning that there is a need for psychological counseling and assistance with people who are struggling to meet their personal and career goals. For some, assertiveness training can include learning how to effectively communicate about problems, set realistic goals, and how to deal with the emotions of fear and anxiety. It is no surprise then that more professionals are looking towards this training as a way to improve their own personal and professional lives. If you are interested in improving your self-esteem, you will find that this training can provide you with the tools that you need to effectively deal with potentially difficult situations. For some individuals, this has proven to be invaluable as they seek help with controlling their aggressive reactions.