Terrence Shulman
JD, LMSW, ACSW, CAAC, CPC
Founder/Director of
The Shulman Center

Announcements!

Therapist Telephone Training on Compulsive Theft begins this year! Please contact Terrence Shulman at terrenceshulman@theshulmancenter.com or 248-358-8508 for more information. Be on the cutting edge of a new and exciting field of treatment. Led by Mr. Shulman, learn how to assess and treat clients who suffer from compulsive shoplifting and stealing.

Group telephone counseling for clients struggling with compulsive theft and/or spending starts this year! Relapses frequently occur just before, during, or after the holiday season! Get a jump on creating a solid foundation before the holiday season ramps up! Individual phone counseling pre-holiday tune-ups are available as well. Contact Terrence Shulman 248-358-8508 or by e-mail at
terrenceshulman@theshulmancenter.com for more information.

Mark your calendars! Airing December 1st: Mr. Shulman will be a featured guest expert on compulsive shopping and spending on The Women's Entertainment Channel's "Secret Lives of Women"; and airing December 10th, Mr. Shulman will be a featured guest expert on compulsive shoplifting and stealing on the Canadian Broadcast Corporation's "Doc-Zone" series.

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Holidays can be the best of times or the worst of times. Or sometimes a little of both. We have officially entered the holiday season which includes the trifecta holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas/Hanukkah (and New Years to boot!).

Last time this year, we were reeling from the economic collapse in the late summer and were, at least, preoccupied with the presidential campaigns and election. The stats were in at the beginning of this year and they showed a noticeable drop off in consumer spending during the holidays--at least at stores; however, online shopping spiked dramatically from the year before. All in all, the shopping was down slightly but it could have been worse. Many might remember the story of the New York Wal-Mart employee who was trampled to death by shoppers who forced themselves into the store just before the start of Black Friday--the day after Thanksgiving. Shopping frenzies were still alive and well.

Likewise, stats regarding shoplifting and employee theft showed a significant spike during the last half to quarter of 2008. The economy certainly played a part as people became more desperate. Organized retail crime has steadily increased as well. The theft stats might have been even higher if not for the fact that many retail stores and companies had already gone under by the time November hit.

It will be interesting to see if this holiday shopping season is any different than last. The economy is still volatile and millions more Americans have lost their jobs, insurance, homes (and more) this year. Of course, we've all heard about and have tried to embrace frugality and simplicity as the new vogue. But old habits die hard. Whether we have the money in our budget or not, most of us shop (or shoplift or steal from work) more out of emotion than out of lack of money.

We need to be aware of the societal messages around us. I don't President Obama will be as explicit in telling Americans to "go shopping" to help our economy (as former President Bush did after the 9/11 attacks). But there will be more subtle messages from our political leaders to do so. And there will be very explicit advertising from the nation's retailers whose economic intake just between Thanksgiving and New Years typically accounts for 20% or more of their annual profits. In other words, for many retailers, the holiday shopping season may be the difference between staying in business or not. That's why the call the day after Thanksgiving "Black Friday." Statistics also show that about 20% of annual shoplifting and employee theft also occur during this same period.

Of course, most retailers will be competing for our consumer dollars and, now more than ever, offering "deals and bargains" too good to refuse. But remember the old adage: "you have to spend money to save money." Besides, these holidays afford us a time for focusing on what's really most important in our lives: things aren't it.

We may need reminding that the holiday season can be both the best of times and the worst of times for several reasons. It can be the best of times when we focus on what's most important: fun, family, creativity, gratitude, blessings, miracles, renewal and transformation. In fact, these are the basic themes of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas/Hanukkah, and New Years. Holidays become the worst of times when we lose sight of this and feel the pressure to spend, spend, spend (or steal, steal, steal) and when old, difficult memories of stressful holidays past resurface with nervous anticipation of holidays present. Family gatherings, as many of us know, present a mixed bag of emotions (conflicts and opportunities to heal and get closer).

In addition, for many, the colder, darker months of the year bring on some degree of depression, lethargy, and "seasonal affective disorder." Research shows that almost all addictions increase during the holiday season (eating, drinking, drugging, gambling, TV, shopping, shoplifting, co-dependency, etc.)

So, are your holidays going to be "holy days" or are you going to find yourself in a "holi-daze"? Now is the time to plan ahead and make decisions about how your holidays are going to go. Some things to consider and helpful hints include the following:

1. Create a reasonable budget for each of the major holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas/ Hanukkah, and New Years)... and stick to it!

2. Decide if this is a good year for you to host holidays of if, honestly, it is too stressful and you need to ask someone else to host or, at a minimum, ask for significant help so you're not hosting or doing all the work by yourself.

3. Be creative with costumes, decorations, and gift-giving. Look around your home for materials, food, decorations, and gifts that can be created or recycled. In an ironic twist, I suspect one of the more popular costumes this Halloween will be the beggar or hobo.

4. Really practice gratitude and simplicity throughout the holidays. Make a running list (include family in this exercise, too!) Post the list on the refrigerator. Start simple, for instance, with gratitude for a roof over your head, food on the table, electricity, running water, healthy kids, a car that runs, etc.

5. Volunteer at a homeless shelter, food bank, soup kitchen, or some other place where you (and your family) will get some much needed perspective and your heart will be broken open.

6. Set boundaries with toxic people. Don't invite them to gatherings this year or set down some ground rules that have to be followed and get others to help you enforce them if need be.

7. Get plenty of extra emotional support either through counseling, support groups, or healthy people in your life. Don't isolate! Surround yourself with healthy people!

8. Eat right, exercise, and get enough rest. Don't burn yourself out!

9. Scheduled some fun time you! Whether it's a movie, a nice dinner, a massage, a modest vacation (or "staycation"), make sure you are not only giving to others but asking for what you want, need and deserve.

10. Find time for spiritual sustenance and renewal--whether through reading, meditating, prayer, spending time in nature, or attending worship services--take some time to nurture your soul and spirit.

If we follow as many of these ten steps as possible, we shall not only survive the holidays but, hopefully, we'll thrive during the holidays and experience true miracles and good memories no matter what challenges or circumstances we find ourselves in.
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JACK L. HAYES INTERNATIONAL, INC. Consultants in Assets Protection
27520 Water Ash Drive Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 (813) 991-5628
PRESS RELEASE September 1, 2009
Shoplifters/Dishonest Employees are Apprehended in Record Numbers by US Retailers!

According to 21st Annual Theft Survey by Jack L. Hayes International

Wesley Chapel, FL -- Shoplifters and dishonest employees stole over $6.0 billion in 2008 from just 22 major retailers, according to the 21st Annual Retail Theft Survey conducted by Jack L. Hayes International, the leading loss prevention and inventory shrinkage control consulting firm. These 22 surveyed retailers apprehended a record 904,226 shoplifters and dishonest employees in 2008 and recovered more than $182 million from these thieves. 

"For the 3rd consecutive year, both the apprehensions and recovery dollars from shoplifters and dishonest employees rose; up 7.26% and 21.64% respectively." said Mark R. Doyle, President of Jack L. Hayes International. "While shoplifter and dishonest employee apprehensions increased 7.65% and 3.01% respectively, the increase in recovery dollars from these apprehensions was up an amazing 30.24% for shoplifting and almost 10% for dishonest employees. It should also be noted that employee theft apprehensions and recovery dollars increased for the 5th straight year." Mr. Doyle added,

"With the downturn in the economy, we have seen an increase in theft, which is having a detrimental impact on retailers' bottom-line profits. These losses drive consumer prices higher and can force unprofitable stores to close." 

Highlights from this highly anticipated annual theft survey include:

Participants: 22 large retail companies with 19,151 stores and over $570 billion in retail sales (2008).

Apprehensions: 904,226 shoplifters and dishonest employees were apprehended in 2008, up 7.26% from 2007.

Recovery Dollars: Over $182 million was recovered from apprehended shoplifters and dishonest employees in 2008, up 21.64% from 2007.

Shoplifter Apprehensions: 832,106 shoplifters were apprehended in 2008, up 7.65% from 2007.

Shoplifter Recovery Dollars: Over $113 million was recovered from apprehended shoplifters in 2008, an amazing 30.24% increase from 2007. An additional $37.2 million was recovered from shoplifters where no apprehension was made, up 9.08% from 2007.

Employee Apprehensions: 72,120 dishonest employees were apprehended in 2008, up 3.01% from 2007.

Employee Recovery Dollars: Over $69.8 million was recovered from employee apprehensions in 2008, up 9.9% from 2007.

One in every 30 employees was apprehended for theft from their employer in 2008. (Based on over 2.1 million employees.)

On a per case average, dishonest employees steal a little over 7 times the amount stolen by shoplifters ($969.14 vs $135.81).

For full survey results visit the website: www.hayesinternational.com

Lawsuit Update:

We are completing depositions and will have a status conference after that. Likely, we will be filing and arguing our Motion for Summary Judgment to have this case dismissed so that anonymous self-help groups for those interested in recovery from shoplifting/theft behavior might continue to exist and expand without fear of being sued. We continue to ask for your support. May divine justice prevail.

Compulsive Theft & Spending in The News! September/October 2009:

September 21st--Mr. Shulman was featured on live radio www.stopandthinkradio.com speaking about compulsive theft and spending.

October 6--Mr. Shulman will be presenting a 90-minute interactive discussion on compulsive theft and spending at The Costick Center in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

October 14-16--Mr. Shulman will be presenting on compulisve theft and spending at The American Psychotherapy Associations Annual Conference in Las Vegas, NV.

October 23 and 25--Mr. Shulman will be presenting on compulsive theft and spending at 2 day-long seminars presented by The Jewish Family Services in the metro-Detroit area.

Mr. Shulman created an online continuing education course on compulsive shopping and spending based on his book and Power Point presentation through the American Psychotherapy Association. This course is available for purchase by APA members and non-members alike. http://www.americanpsychotherapy.com/

Mr. Shulman created an online education course on employee theft based on is book and Power Point presentation through 360 Training Services. See www.360training.com

Mr. Shulman is assisting with a CNN TV news story about compulsive shopping/spending in today's economy.

Mr. Shulman will be featured in a segment on shoplifting addiction in the MSNBC series "Theft in America" to air in late 2009.

Mr. Shulman is consulting on the development of a major motion picture tentatively called "The Rush" in which the lead character is addicted to shoplifting and stealing.

Mr. Shulman submitted a chapter on employee theft for a U.K. book entitled "Risky Business" to be released in late 2009.

Mr. Shulman continues to assist the Kingman, Arizona court system with his court-ordered homestudy program for retail fraud offenders. The program is based on material from his book "Something for Nothing: Shoplifting Addiction and Recovery" (2003).

Contact The Shulman Center

Terrence Shulman
P.O. Box 250008
Franklin, Michigan 48025

E-mail:
terrenceshulman@theshulmancenter.com

Call (248) 358-8508 for free consulation!

Related sites by Terrence Shulman:
The Shulman Center
Cleptomaniacs and Shoplifters Anonymous
www.Terrenceshulman.com 
www.Shopaholicsanonymous.org
www.Employeetheftsolutions.com
www.Kleptomaniacsanonymous.com

Books:
Something For Nothing
Biting The Hand That Feeds
Bought Out and $pent

Products for Purchase--ON SALE through 2009!

Mr. Shulman's 75 Minute DVD Power Point Presentation on Employee Theft at Livonia, Michigan Financial Manager's Conference 10/19/06. $75.00

Mr. Shulman's 75 Minute DVD Power Point Presentation on Employee Theft at Louisville, Kentucky Business in Industry Conference 9/19/07. $75.00

Mr. Shulman's two books "Something for Nothing: Shoplifting Addiction & Recovery" and "Biting The Hand That Feeds: The Employee Theft Epidemic... New Perspectives, New Solutions" are availabe for $25.00 each (includes shipping/handling) or both for $45.00 (includes shipping/handling).

Mr. Shulman's 90 minute DVD Power Point presentation for young people: "Theft and Dishonesty Awareness Program." $75.00

Mr. Shulman's 33 minute psycho-educational DVD: "The Disease of Something for Nothing: Shoplifting and Employee Theft." $50.00

First International Conference on Theft Addictions & Disorders 4 DVD set (13 Hours). Recorded 10/05. $125.00.

Second International Conference on Compulsive Theft & Spending 2 DVD set (6 Hours). Recorded 9/08. $100.00.

Click here to purchase

E-mail Mr. Shulman:
terrenceshulman@theshulmancenter.com

or

Call (248) 358-8508