Rosemary Anderson
Dr Rosemary Anderson is a leading expert in the field of stress management. Drawing on her wide-ranging professional expertise as well as personal experience, Dr Anderson has achieved national renown for raising public awareness and understanding of stress. Her expertise has been sought by organisations as diverse as the Health & Safety Executive, and Greater Manchester Police. She has served as both director and chair of the International Stress Management Association, and she is nationally known for her TV and radio appearances.
Training
With a research background in biochemistry, Rosemary spent a number of years in education and marketing before leaving full-time employment to have children. During this time she trained as an ante-natal teacher for the National Childbirth Trust, and a youth counsellor, and lectured "Biology Brain and Behaviour" and "Human Biology and Health with the OU. Rosemary was also a director of Shropshire MIND and ran therapy groups for NW Shropshire Mental Health Team. From this she developed an interest in stress and went on to obtain a further degree in Psychology. She is now a Chartered Psychologist
Experience
Rosemary has first-hand experience of stress. Subjected to the messy divorce of her parents at the age of 9, she then lived with her mother, who became an alcoholic. As an only child, Rosemary took the brunt of her mother's alcoholic behaviour and so has struggled considerably with low self esteem, stress and depression. Over the years, however, she has learnt many ways of coping and overcoming these obstacles. She therefore knows first hand that what she teaches, really works.
Managing stress and encouraging wellbeing
Dr Anderson is very aware of the stigma and ignorance surrounding stress and depression, and the lack of help available to people suffering stress, especially if they don't want their problems on their medical records. So in 1996 she set up a consultancy, Anderson Peak Performance (ApP), with the aim of providing help for individuals, and good quality training to all members of the community. Clients range from the voluntary and public sector to blue chip and city companies and include Axa, Heinz, HBOS, Laura Ashley, John Lewis, Shelter, Canary Wharf, the Prince's Trust, Wolverhampton University and a number of local councils and police forces.
In addition to running ApP, Rosemary has also served as director of the International Stress Management Association (ISMA), committed to improving and regulating standards in stress management. She chaired ISMA from 2003-2004, and, as the association's representative, has helped the Health & Safety Executive to develop and publicise stress management standards. A frequent writer on the subject of stress, her recent publications include 2 information leaflets for the HSE and a chapter for the Men's Mental Health Forum's book on mental health. She was also commissioned to write a research report for the Developing Patient Partnerships at the BMA, and was spokeperson for the launch of their 2006 stress campaign.
Rosemary does not see stress as a weakness. She does not see herself as weak - her achievements and successes speak for themselves.
Stress and mental health problems can happen to anyone. With a little help, it is still possible to be extremely competent in all aspects of life.
This e-learning package is an attempt to share her knowledge with as many people as possible, in the hope that more people will benefit and live happier, healthier and more productive lives.