Combining Individual and Organizational Stress Interventions An Organizational Development Approach Jennifer M. Kohler and David C. Munz St. Louis University This article presents a comprehensive stress management program (CSMP) using an orga- nizational development approach. An organiza- tional development approach to CSMP mea- sures and improves processes within the total system from the individual to the organizational level. A three-stage process model is discussed as follows: preparing the organization for the CSMP, implementing a comprehensive selection of tailored CSMP interventions, and institution- alizing the interventions throughout the organi- zation. A key tenet of the process is obtaining the active involvement of organizational members who can sustain the CSMP long term. Illustrations from the authors’ consulting experiences in four organizations are provided. Implications for both scientists and practitioners are discussed. Organizational stress affects the physi- cal and psychologic well-being of employ- ees and the effectiveness of their organiza- tions. As noted by Cooper (1998), if we want to maximize the effectiveness of stress interventions in the workplace, we need to direct them at the individual and the organization. Stress interventions should be comprehensive and address the organiza- tional environment, the individual, and the individual– organizational interface (Hur- rell, 1995). Recent progress has been made in the development and evaluation of indi- vidual and organizational interventions (Quick, Quick, Nelson, & Hurrell, 1997), yet the case has been made that organiza- tional interventions have little or no effect (Briner & Reynolds, 1999). In response, we propose that there would be greater returns from a comprehensive stress management program if it were delivered from an orga- nizational development change perspective. Early in our work (Munz, Huelsman, & Craft, 1995), we developed a comprehen- sive stress management program (CSMP) derived from a workplace stress model that consisted of individual stress training and an organizational stressor reduction pro- cess. The original CSMP was implemented within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Munz, Huelsman, and Craft (1995) reported research findings from the imple- mentation of the CSMP within 65 VHA medical centers. Their study was part of an ongoing research effort carried out within an action–research framework with the goal to synthesize theory, application, and evaluation of a CSMP in the workplace. Our intent was that such an approach “would allow cost-effective worksite stress programs to evolve gradually” (Munz, Huelsman, & Craft, 1995, p. 57). Jennifer M. Kohler, PhD, is the Faculty Di- rector of the Organizational Studies Program at St. Louis University’s School for Professional Studies where she teaches and conducts research in the areas of psychology and organizational behavior. Dr. Kohler is also a trainer and con- sultant for organizations in the area of stress and change management. David C. Munz, PhD, is an an organizational psychologist and professor of psychology at St. Louis University. Over the last 25 years, Dr. Munz has researched, devel- oped, and delivered a comprehensive work stress intervention program. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Jennifer M. Kohler, School for Professional Studies, St. Louis Uni- versity, 3322 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63103. E-mail: kohlerjm@slu.edu Copyright 2006 by the American Psychological Association and the Society of Consulting Psychology, 1065-9293/06/$12.00 DOI: 10.1037/1065-9293.58.1.1 Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, Vol. 58, No. 1, 1–12 1 This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers. This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly.