Handling Unfriendly Debt Collectors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Renowned Psychologist Explains How to Diffuse a Sticky Situation

The newly released book How to Hug a Porcupine offers guidelines for dealing with difficult people. Porcupine tendencies of defense and attack often stem from fear, discomfort, and the irrational unwillingness to compromise. Accepting the person who acts as a porcupine can prevent conflict, induce harmony, and may even get us results we're after.

With money becoming a major point of contention for many people these days, such skills are an important commodity.

While debt collectors are most often thought of as a type of porcupine, a recent article in The New York Times described the successful outcomes for debt collectors who traded their quills for kindness. When the debt collectors were not prickly or forceful in their attempts to have relatives pay the money owed by their deceased relatives - but were instead sympathetic - some of the survivors not only gladly paid up but also wrote appreciative notes to the collectors. They felt cared about, and not put upon.

But what if you're in debt and not lucky enough to encounter the understanding collectors mentioned in the article? What if a debt collector is pressuring you in a porcupine-like and less-than-caring way to give up money you don't have?

Keep a cool head. If you react in the porcupine manner of defense and attack, it is unlikely to benefit you and may make the situation worse. Your words may bring out more of the aggressive porcupine side of the collector, which will make him or her less understanding of your difficulties. As a result this porcupine will less flexible with debt demands. He or she will then be less willing to look for a solution that is workable and beneficial for both sides.

Maintain perspective. Remember what the revolutionary and pioneering psychologist, Albert Ellis PhD, used to say: "As bad as it is, it could always be worse. If you owe $10,000, be glad it's not $200,000 that you owe. And be grateful for what is still good in your life." We humans are resilient and can find ways to survive tremendous challenges. Think of the many in humanity's past and present who have done so.

Recognize that on the other end is a person, too. Whilst it is quite rational to dislike having money collected from you if it is scarce, it is irrational, unhealthy and unhelpful to be spiteful to the collector. Recognize that he or she is a fallible human, just as you are, who is performing an occupational duty (albeit in an undesirable manner!). Accept that person-it doesn't mean you have to like what they do.

Face the facts. Do you owe that money? What's the reality? If you do owe money, and your money is scarce, you'll have a better chance of finding a way to pay it off in small installments. The collector may approve of this payment plan if you communicate in a respectful and non-abrasive fashion.

Find balance. Make choices that maximize your chances to get more of what you do want and less of what you don't want. Life does contain difficulties, but by thinking and acting in sane and wise ways, we will minimize any suffering and increase inner and outer harmony.

Dr Debbie Joffe Ellis wrote the foreword of How to Hug a Porcupine and is a licensed psychologist in Australia and mental health counselor in New York. She currently has a private practice in New York City and also delivers lectures, workshops, and seminars throughout the USA and across the globe.

How to Hug a Porcupine
Easy Ways to Love the Difficult People in Your Life
By Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis
A Hatherleigh Book, Distributed by Random House
ISBN 978-1578262939, $11.00

Hatherleigh Press, Ltd.
Mary Woodward
Media Relations