Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy | Albert Ellis Institute

Background

A Life Devoted to Emotional Wellness
Clinical psychologist Dr. Leslie C. Reisner is a highly acclaimed professional speaker, author and lifestyle coach on behavioral change and stress management. Through her lectures, book and media appearances, Dr. Reisner has enabled thousands of people to examine their own behavior and make changes to improve their performance and professional lives through rational-emotive behavior therapy. Dr. Reisner’s clinical training at the prestigious Albert Ellis institute and her nationwide lectures have made her an expert on the powerful benefits that rational emotive behavior therapy can provide.

The Many Sides of Dr. Leslie Reisner

Inspirational Public Speaker

In her engaging lectures, Dr. Reisner provides proven strategies that immediately translate into behavioral changes benefitting individuals and organizations. Most importantly, her practical methods produce tangible results, yielding economic as well as life-affirming gains to participants.

The tenet of her philosophy is emotional intelligence. Research has proven that emotional intelligence – defined as one’s intra-personal skills, self awareness, assertiveness and the ability to deal with stress – is as important to workplace success as one’s cognitive abilities. Through rational-emotive behavior therapy, Dr. Reisner is able to empower individuals to raise their emotional intelligence awareness and reach their emotional quotient.

Seminar issues include:

Eliminating roadblocks to success
Getting “unstuck” in your career
Managing change
Constructive problem solving
Creating a positive workplace environment
Improving workplace communications
Motivating employees and raising morale
Overcoming stress/burn-out risk
Implementing wellness programs
Conquering compulsive or destructive behavior
Evaluating and improving emotional intelligence
Improving effectiveness through assertiveness training
Dealing with difficult or powerful people

With presentations that are both enlightening and entertaining, Dr. Reisner’s charisma has won over even the toughest and most cynical of audiences. Dr. Reisner appears as a keynote speaker and lecturer at a wide variety of corporate and organizational events throughout the country, with many of her seminars qualifying as continuing education credits for attorneys and other professionals. In joint effort with Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, she also provides a hands-on stress reduction program.

Expert Media Spokesperson

Dr. Reisner has earned national recognition for her breakthrough work and is often used as a leading expert resource to broadcast and print media around the country. Known for her colorful personality, she makes frequent appearances on television and radio programs, and contributes to a variety of leading publications and national media outlets, including Dow Jones, Los Angeles Daily News, Women’s World, Weight Watchers magazine and Script magazine. Dr. Reisner also appears in Who’s Who in Executives and Businesses.

Personal Lifestyle Coach

IIn addition to her speaking engagements and seminars, Dr. Reisner also works as a personal coach to senior executives, guiding significant lifestyle changes. Through her elite, one-on-one sessions, she designs customized success plans to motivate and guide high-powered professionals that need fast results and intensive coaching on such issues as stress reduction, lifestyle balance, wellness plans, weight loss, eliminating addictive or obsessive behavior and substance abuse.

Scholar

Dr. Reisner earned both a Doctorate and Master of Arts degree in clinical psychology from Hofstra University, a Master of Science degree in experimental psychology from Villanova University and a Bachelor of Science degree in human development from Cornell University. Dr. Reisner also teaches continuing education courses in stress management at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Phillip’s Graduate Institute. A certified Lifestyle Counselor, Dr. Reisner serves on the board of directors of The American Association of LifeStyle Counselors. She is a fellow and supervisor at the Institute for Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. Dr. Reisner is also an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Psychological Association, the California Psychological Association, Los Angeles County Psychological Association, Cornell University Alumnae Association and the Network of Women Executives – Los Angeles (NEW-LA).

Pioneer

Dr. Reisner was clinically trained at the world-renowned Institute for Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) in New York City, under the direct supervision of Dr. Albert Ellis, the founder of REBT. Today, Dr. Reisner is widely recognized as one of the West Coast's leading experts in REBT, a science that examines the adverse impact of negative cognitive behavior on workplace performance and life experiences. In short, the discipline advocates a focus on what can, rather than what cannot, be controlled, and centers on effective, present day strategies for problem solving, relationship building and professional and personal self-enhancement.

Dr. Reisner’s insights pivot on the belief that there is a direct correlation between emotional intelligence and one’s professional performance. Her teachings educate companies about the many aspects of emotional intelligence and guide the development of programs that address key areas for improvement, such as self awareness, empathy for co-workers, assertiveness training or communication skills.

While the issues range broadly -- from eliminating roadblocks to success and increasing motivation, to overcoming compulsive and addictive behavior, assertiveness training and improving relationships with colleagues – the common denominator is a focus on effecting positive changes in one’s behavior, here, now, today.

An Author and Leading Authority on Stress Management

Dr. Reisner has established herself as a premier expert in the field of stress management. Her stress management and substance abuse detection seminar has been offered for Mandatory Continuing Lawyer Education (MCLE) credit at more than 100 major law firms in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Dr. Reisner also teaches continuing education courses in stress management at UCLA and Phillip’s Graduate Institute.

Dr. Reisner is co-author of Mastering Stress - A LifeStyle Approach, a book born from years of research and clinical field experience on stress management principles and techniques. The book covers a variety of skills, including time management, problem solving, assertiveness and relaxation.

She also authored and co-authored various publications over the past 15 years, including “An Introduction to Stress Management,” published online by Preventative Medicine and “The Daily Hassles of College Students,” published by Psychological Reports, which analyzes the cognitive behavior of college students.

More About the Book

As the leading expert in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) on the West Coast, Dr. Reisner was asked to co-author the book Mastering Stress - A LifeStyle Approach, part of The LEARN LifeStyle Program Series®. The Mastering Stress Program begins with an Introduction and Orientation Lesson, followed by 16 weekly lessons and a Commencement Lesson.

Mastering Stress - A Lifestyle Approach, David H. Barlow, Ph.D., Ronald M. Rapee, Ph.D., and Leslie C. Reisner, Ph.D. is a guide to managing stress and designed to be used independently by individuals or with the assistance of a health professional.

The skill-building techniques used in this manual are based upon years of research and clinical experience from the authors, who are among the world's leading experts in REBT, anxiety and stress management. The scientifically sound, safe and effective program covered in the book describes many important stress management principles and techniques, including:

time management,
problem solving,
assertiveness, and
relaxation.

In today's fast-paced world, many people have come to accept high levels of stress as normal. Experts agree that prolonged periods of high stress can cause significant physical and performance problems. But, not all stress is bad. In fact, some stress is needed to challenge and motivate people. The goal of the Mastering Stress Program is not to eliminate the stress in life, but to provide strategies that will help reduce stress to a manageable and healthy level.

Presented in an upbeat, positive way, the Mastering Stress Program is written in an easy-to-read format with wit and humor. The pages are filled with illustrations, cartoons and inspiring examples of others who share the same struggles.

Here's what several experts have said about Mastering Stress 2001 - A LifeStyle Approach,

"This is a remarkably good book on stress and stress management by a most knowledgeable writing team. It is exceptionally clear, straight forward, and realistic. It provides a practical program that is most likely to be followed and distinctly benefit many readers. Millions, I hope!"
- Albert Ellis, Ph.D. Albert Ellis Institute

"This book is a treasure chest of information on why stress happens, how it affects us, and how to deal with it in an effective, permanent way. The authors provide a blueprint for conquering stress in a way that is friendly and easy to use. This book has it all."
- Kelly D. Brownell, Ph.D. Yale University

"Mastering Stress 2001 is an excellent book that is well written and easily understood by non-experts. It offers many helpful tips and interventions. I especially like lesson five and the emphasis on physical activity as a tool for managing stress. More and more of us need the advice and guidance of this book."
- Steven N. Blair, P.E.D. The Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research