Understanding Stress and Burnout

Third-party on-site course

When you hear someone say they are ‘under a lot of stress’ you have some idea of what they mean. Generally they mean that they are unable to meet the demands of their environment and feel tense and uncomfortable. Stress is very common so it is easy to understand people when they say they are stressed. However, irrespective of how common it is, defining it is quite complex.

Last updated: 17.07.2025

Next upcoming session:

03.11.2025 - 07.11.2025

Multiple locations

Description

To define stress, we will borrow ideas from several sources (Cox, 1978; Lazarus & Folkman, 1984b; Mechanic, 1976; Singer & Davidson, 1986; Trumbull & Appley, 1986). Stress is the condition that results when person-environment transactions lead the individual to perceive a discrepancy - whether real or not - between the demands of a situation and the resources of the person’s biological, psychological or social systems.

Burnout, on the other hand, is a state of physical and emotional exhaustion. It can occur when you experience long-term stress in your job, or when you have worked in a physically or emotionally draining role for a long time.

The main objectives are to cover the following in the training-

Understanding Stress – Defining stress and considering what factors within the person (biopsychosocial functioning) and his/her environment (family/work/extended community) increase the chances of stress.

Considering prevention and intervention: Teaching stress management and problem solving skills while fostering participants’ personal qualities that buffer against stress.

Learning objectives

Day 1
Goals for the week
What is Stress?
What is Burnout?
What Factors Lead to Stressful Appraisals?
Types of Stress
Toxic Stress
Difference Between Stress and Burnout

Day 2
Measuring Stress
Stress and Changes of Functioning
Factors that Affect Personal Reactions to Stressors (Biological, Emotional, Cognitive, Biological)

Day 3
The Systems that Support Us
Environmental and Sociocultural Factors, including Conflict
Psychological Modifiers of Stress
The Role of the Teacher in Schools

Day 4
Coping Strategies
Stress Prevention
Personal Qualities and Environments that Help, including Resilience
The Parental Role and how it Buffers against Stress
Attachment and Emotional Intelligence
Parental Styles
School Socio-Emotional Learning Programs
Conflict Resolution Skills

Day 5
Stress Interventions
Using a Holistic Approach to Stress Management
Cognitive Behavioural Strategies
Unhelpful Thinking
Core Beliefs
Third-Wave CBT Strategies
Mindfulness

Methodology & assessment

Our teaching approach is based on formal, informal and nonformal learning to help promote active participation for all participants involved. The standard methodology is highly practical and involves active exercises, including mindfulness, case studies and role plays. This course is open to professionals working within the educational arena including teachers, headmasters and school counsellors.