Chapter 33 - Progressive Muscle Relaxation

This chapter discusses the technique called progressive muscle relaxation. Progressive muscle relaxation is designed to help clients identify what it feels like when muscles are tensed and when they are relaxed. This will hopefully help clients learn to relax. This technique is most commonly used to manage stress. However, it can also be used with clients who are complaining from physical tension, relieving anxiety, as well as problems resulting from stress such as high blood pressure. I really like this technique and think it can be extremely useful. The one thing that would be a little bit tricky is preventing clients from falling asleep while they are in the session. The book addresses this – the counselor could help the client by making the room brighter or developing a signal for the client to use to let the counselor know he/she is relaxed but awake. I can see myself using this technique for myself to help relieve daily stress that may build up over time. I will definitely use this technique with or explain this technique to students who may be having issues with anxiety or stress management throughout their high school careers.