What type of stress does the Alter approach focus on minimizing?

The Alter approach primarily centers on minimizing psychological stress. This approach recognizes that psychological responses can significantly impact an individual's overall well-being and performance, particularly in high-stress professions such as law enforcement. Psychological stress can manifest in various ways, including anxiety, frustration, and other mental health challenges, which can impair decision-making, situational awareness, and interpersonal relationships.

By focusing on psychological stress, the Alter approach aims to equip individuals with strategies to manage their thoughts, emotions, and reactions to stressors. Techniques such as mindfulness, cognitive restructuring, and stress management training help individuals develop resilience and coping mechanisms. This focus on psychological health is critical because, in demanding situations, how a person mentally processes stress can influence their actions and responses far more than the physical or environmental factors alone.