- CEO, James T. Reese and Associates
- Lecturer / Consultant to corporate and public entities
- Founder, FBI Stress Management Program
Dr. James Reese provides over 100 workshops, seminars, and
keynotes annually throughout the world. Blending wit and wisdom, Dr. Reese
helps listeners transform their jobs from mere pensions to passions. He is an
award winning author, lecturer, and consultant. A platoon leader in Vietnam, he
earned the United States Bronze Star Medal and Vietnamese Distinguished Service
Cross. He was an original FBI criminal personality profiler (Silence of the
Lambs) and helped pioneer the research and interviews of serial criminals.
After 25 years as an FBI Agent, he retired as the Assistant Unit Chief of the
prestigious Behavioral Science Unit. He was faculty of the FBI Academy, the
International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, and adjunct faculty of the
University of Virginia. Dr. Reese was instrumental in establishing the
psychological services program in the FBI, to include the critical incident
stress program, employee assistance program, chaplains' corps, and founded the
stress management program. He is recipient of the coveted 'FBI Director's Award
for Distinguished Service', the United States Department of Justice 'Award for
Excellence', the Speakers Medal from the World Congress on Stress, Trauma and
Coping, and an honorary Gold Medal from the XIX Olympic games for his
assistance in Salt Lake.
In September 2001, Dr. Reese responded to Ground Zero in New York City. He
continues to assist first responders there. He also provided assistance at the
Pentagon; rescuers involved in Pan Am Flight 103 (Lockerby); TWA Flight 800;
Swiss Air Flight 111; Columbine High School; and more. His tailor-made
presentations on stress and trauma have been shared with tens of thousands of
first responders, and other care givers. His expertise and reputation as a
speaker has found him presenting before representatives of more than 350 of
this nations Fortune 500 companies. He has provided expert testimony before the
United States Congress on stress and addressed the President of the United
States' Council on Integrity and Efficiency.
WORKSHOPS, PRESENTATIONS AND SEMINAR TOPICS AND DESCRIPTIONS
SUCCESS WITHOUT STRESS
There are strategies and attitudes that will help us, both at home and on the
job, to limit unnecessary stress while increasing our productivity and
enjoyment. Learning to use stress to our advantage will separate us from the
masses. Develop personal standards of excellence and stress management
techniques to define and achieve success.
SIX KEYS TO STRESS-FREE LIVING
Are you always taking chances or are you making choices? Do you let things
happen or do you make them happen? Get excited about consciously choosing an
"attitude of gratitude", an "attitude that increases your
altitude." The 'high' associated with your attitude enables you to be
excited about facing life's challenges. Together, these keys: challenge,
choice, change, courage, control and commitment can greatly assist you in
reducing the stress in your life.
SEVEN STRATEGIC LESSONS ABOUT LIFE, RESILIENCY, AND COPING
WITH STRESS©
Dr, Reese, together with Dr. George Everly, Jr., authored a book entitled
Psychological Body Armor: Seven Strategic Lessons about life, Resiliency, and
Coping for Emergency Response and Public Health Personnel (Chevron Publishing,
2007). This presentation, as in the book, goes beyond techniques of stress
management and addresses the core values that set the stage for stress
vulnerability as well as stress resistance and resiliency. From developing a
moral compass by which to live to the importance of optimism and good friends,
this is truly life-saving information.
SNOWMEN FALL FROM THE SKY UNASSEMBLED
We live in prisons of our own fashioning. We have to eliminate these
self-imposed limits. The power, which propels our future, is within us. The
only limits are those of vision. Too often, we look for that power elsewhere.
Many talented and motivated people simply stand by and wait for a break, that
streak of luck, that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. In reality, each day is an
opportunity. Realizing that most of us get «stuck» at some point in our lives,
and realizing that life is full of crossroads, which blend opportunity and
risk, we must act responsibly and make educated choices.
COPING WITH CHANGE AND ADVERSITY
Coping with Change and Adversity, provides an examination of the uniqueness of
stress experienced by those who serve and support others. Fewer people, less
equipment, less support, lower budgets, and a demanding work environment
creates a theater in which we are asked to continue to act with dignity and
surety and dedicate ourselves to the well-being of others. There are proven
ways to address these issues, to move forward and create a sense of personal
well-being while doing an outstanding job.
THE GREATEST DIFFICULTY IN LIFE: CHOICE
At no other time in our history has there been so much change in so little
time. From computers to IPODS; from microwaves to lasers; technology is on the
move. Change creates stress and the need to choose alternatives. Traumatic
events such as responding to the problems of others can create even greater
changes and subsequent stress. Change is constant and unrelenting on the
demands it places on our abilities to cope. Simple guidelines can assist in
coping.
WORLDS AT WAR; MINDS AT PEACE: SIX STEPS TO SANITY
Letting the situation in the world dictate your happiness and contentment? From
the economy, to the horrors of the World Trade Center, if the affairs of the
world dictate your attitudes, you are out of control. Some of the most
meaningful decisions we make, and important actions we take, are surprisingly
simple. This presentation allows you to see how you can actually do something
to recapture control of your affairs, summon up the emotional strength you once
had, and bring back the joy that is missing in your life.
TRAUMATIC STRESS: STAYING BITTER OR GETTING BETTER
Ethical behavior and personal integrity are essential components of successful
leadership. The current status of world affairs places everyone whose
profession is that of helping others on the front line. Too many leaders are
concerning themselves with "harmony" rather than demanding
"ethical behavior" and actions that reflect personal integrity from
their employees. Understanding the fundamentals of ethics-based leadership
creates a stronger leader while also providing information that allows one to
become a better follower. The greatest leaders in the world are, in actuality,
servants to those who must follow them. It is virtually impossible to excel in
a leadership role without recognizing leadership principles, and having good
working definitions of the concepts of integrity, work ethic, power, authority,
courage, and influence.
LEADING THE FIELD: VISIONS AND DECISIONS
A vision expresses a desired future state that is better in some important way
than what exists. It describes where you will be in the future and what it will
be like. The primary function and role of a leader is to transform visions into
actions. Visions without actions are dreams; actions without visions are
nightmares. The key to successful leadership today is not power and authority,
it is the kind of influence that was witnessed in Ghandi, Thomas Jefferson, The
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, and other great leaders.
RESPONDING TO TERRORIST ACTS: CRISIS LEADERSHIP AND THE
PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILES OF TERRORISM
Employees are being asked to work more diligently than ever; to accept
additional tasks that will allow them to succeed; to be ever mindful of
terrorism and related issues; to do more with less; and to support each other.
Leaders and followers have similar responsibilities during a crisis event. In
fact, leaders create more leaders, not followers. Learn the psychology of
terrorism so that you can protect yourself from an attitude that lessens your
ability to serve others. Each employee impacts upon the organization; everyone
is a leader!
RECOGNIZING THE PHASES OF DISASTER: COMMUNITY AND INDIVIDUAL
BEHAVIORS
Instituting the concepts and practices of "traditional" counseling
rather than using the techniques of disaster mental health during and following
a major crisis is a mistake. All disaster-related activities are divided into
distinct time periods. Understanding the conceptual differences of disaster
versus traditional mental health services provides a better standard of care
for immediate care of victims. One of the worst mistakes that can be made is
not knowing the stages of disaster and continuing traditional assistance rather
than integrating disaster mental health concepts.
CRITICAL INCIDENT STESS MANAGEMENT AND PEER COUNSELING
GET READY FOR ANOTHER DAY: COUNSELORS AS VICARIOUS VICTIMS
OF OTHERS TRAGEDIES
HOLISTIC WELLNESS: THE BIG PICTURE
REVIEWS
Corporate, public service, military, and other references available upon request.
PAST ORGANIZATIONAL CONSULTATIONS, TRAINING AND INTERVIEWs
President of the United States Council on Integrity
United States Congress
American Bankers' Association
NASA, Johnson and Goddard Space Flight Centers
American Management Association
Harvard Associates in Police Science
FBI National Academy
FBI Field Offices Worldwide