Ventura, CA - Understanding and managing stress will be the focus of a free seminar the Community Memorial Health System is holding on Tuesday, Jan. 28.

Dr. Ronald Bale, a local psychologist, will lead the seminar that will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the eighth-floor Nichols Auditorium at Community Memorial Hospital, 147 No. Brent St. in Ventura.

Dr. Bale will describe a model of stress that will help people understand what stress is and what causes stress, as well as its adaptive and mal-adaptive components. Understanding this model will enable participants to identify their own unique reactions and develop effective stress-management strategies.

Dr. Bale is a clinical supervisor for the California Lutheran University Psychology Doctoral Program and provides psychological consultation with the CMH Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Cincinnati and is a member of the California State Psychological Association and the American Psychological Association. Dr. Bale also is a member of the CMH courtesy staff.

Admission is free, but space is limited, and reservations are required. Call 1-800-906-6093, or visit www.cmhshealth.org/rsvp.

Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, and eleven family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.