Dr. Epstein has developed an innovative competencies approach to stress management. Instead of labeling people's level of stress, he has developed tools to measure the skills people need to fight stress, as well as exercises for building these skills.

The Epstein Stress Management Inventory for Individuals (ESMI-i) looks at four basic competencies people need to avoid, reduce, and manage stress. The Epstein Stress Management Inventory for Managers (ESMI-m) looks at ten basic competencies that managers, teachers, parents, and other leaders need to help others to manage stress.

Dr. Epstein's approach is proactive, emphasizing stress avoidance and innoculation, rather than stress reduction. Challenging the traditional view that moderate stres s is somehow beneficial, he believes that we can perform optimally without any stress whatsoever. In addition to the test instruments, Dr. Epstein has developed dozens of original games and exercises that teach us the competencies we need to remain stress free.

A "mini" ESMI-i test (which does not give separate competency scores) can be taken by clicking here. An abridged ESMI-i test (which does give competency scores) is available in two of Dr. Epstein's recent books: The Big Book of Stress Relief Games (McGraw-Hill) and Stress-Management and Relaxation Activities for Trainers (McGraw-Hill). The unabridged version of the ESMI-i can be taken by clicking here, and the unabridged version of the ESMI-m is available here .

Dr. Epstein is available to give lectures on the competencies approach to stress management or, on a limited basis, to lead training seminars that teach the basic skills.