Psychotherapy is quite often considered to be a process which lasts for a considerable period of time. However, it does not necessarily have to be. In some cases, a focused exploration of an issue may result in greater awareness of a situation and of personal responses to it, and this may be all that is needed. Life can then just feel better.

Work stress is an example of an issue which can benefit from a short period of therapeutic work. I highlight below some of the elements and dynamics of work stress, and when help may be needed, and when perhaps not.

Stress, after all, is a normal part of life. It can give excitement, help with focus, and ultimately a sense of achievement here it is called eustress . Indeed, without eustress life might become boring, depressing or even lack meaning.

Various types of stress are outlined below

• Eustress, as mentioned above, is essentially "good stress" and can be seen as helpful for mental and emotional wellbeing
• Acute stress is brief and temporary. It is not "good" like eustress and may cause some disturbance but may be seen as contributing to something good e.g. exam stress which can be seen as contributing to positive outcome, like passing the exam .
• Chronic stress occurs regularly or constantly and may leave you feeling drained and exhausted. It may include physical symptoms such as headaches.
• Emotional stress tends to bring a greater physical reaction than chronic stress and involves a greater sense of overall distress.
• Burnout results from prolonged chronic stress, and is often associated with lack of control, high demands being placed on an individual, unclear expectations and lack of recognition.