BRIEFCASE FULL OF BLUES AS ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY GROWS, EXECS SEEK THERAPY.

Byline: Evan Pondel Staff Writer

Psychotherapy has gone corporate.

A volatile economy has once again tightened the neckties that once were relaxed in times of prosperity, as executives seek the help of psychologists to adjust to these suffocating times.

Instead of billing themselves as psychologists, though, consulting firms are springing up with one primary message: peace of mind doesn't always equate prosperity. These consultants are there to hold the hands of executives adapting to a bipolar economy.

``It's just like the early 1900s,'' said Naomi Berger Davidson, an associate professor of management at California State University, Northridge.

As millions of immigrants came through Ellis Island between 1892 and 1924, many frantically sought employment, although, once hired by a company, families didn't know where to seek housing or education for their children.

Davidson said even though today's consultants are helping companies cope with saying goodbye to valued employees, the idea of hiring a social worker or psychologist to help businesses occurred 80 years ago.

``Back then, social workers were around to help employees adapt to life,'' Davidson said. ``It's one big cycle.''

Still, an underlying difference in the early 20th century is that the economy was accepting a number of laborers into the market, whereas now the economy is rejecting them.

``With the companies I've consulted, there seems to be a change since the economy hasn't done so well,'' said Helen Grusd, a psychologist and president of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association. ``Before the economy went bad, companies I worked with were trying to improve their peak performance. Now, it's how can we communicate better.''

Grusd, who runs a practice out of Sherman Oaks, said even though dealing with emotional factors at work isn't new, the elements that are inciting anxiety at corporations are constantly manifesting themselves.

For example, an unstable economy has forced many chief executive officers to alter their business plans. The vast swings in the market shifted their priorities, almost immediately causing many higher-rung executives to change their vision, Grusd said.

``It's like there has almost been an earthquake, a shake-up, and executives are having to clarify what their purpose is,'' she said.

But articulating goals and preparing outlines isn't always going to alleviate the stresses of an ailing economy. Executives face awkward situations when they need to cut 25 percent of their staff or send a memo stating that there will be no bonuses this year.

``It's like a divorce, or even death,'' said Grusd, drawing parallels between the grieving process she has observed in clients at corporations and one-on-one therapy sessions.''

Announcing a layoff or even extending an arm for that final handshake is particularly difficult for the upper tiers of a corporation because of the inherent vulnerability associated with such actions. Many times, Grusd said, executives feel compelled to hold back a mere whimper at the risk of being perceived as weak.

But shedding a tear isn't nearly as taboo as it was a few decades ago, according to Davidson.

She said there's a dichotomy between corporate cultures on the East Coast vs. the West Coast.

``It seems like the West Coast is much more accepting of those feelings,'' Davidson said.

Even so, people are still feeling the stresses of an economic downturn and the terrorist attacks nationwide.

Richard Sherman, a psychologist and partner of Harris-Sherman Consulting Group in Tarzana, said he was seeing someone in Los Angeles who was leaving a company due to corporate downsizing.

``And the source of his stress and anxiety was that the golden parachute was rusty,'' he said.

There are even some people seeking therapy who are simply afraid their job for the past 10 to 20 years will not be around for much longer.

``It's an extreme sense of uncertainty,'' Sherman said. ``I even just got a call from somebody who now has an extreme fear of flying.''

Sherman, a psychologist for more than 20 years, said he enjoys counseling with the ebb and flow of the economy. But, while it is easy for him to discuss the myriad scenarios he has witnessed, distilling advice to corporations during times of global unrest can be difficult.

``When battles are won in Afghanistan, people may feel better but it's not translating to more jobs in California,'' he said.

Until it does, Sherman said, there are several things people can do to mitigate the stresses associated with the workplace.

Among the most important: acknowledging that people's fears are legitimate. Exercise, eating healthy and taking a break are also necessary practices.

``And if the person is still feeling depressed, they need to talk to a professional,'' Sherman said.

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Drawing: (color) no caption (Stressed out employees)

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