Anger Management

The Anger Experience

Anger is a natural emotion that we all experience. It can be caused by internal and external events. People get angry at a specific person or events. Family, life experiences,friends, traffic jams, long shopping lines are examples. Anger can also be an automatic emotional response to worrying about personal problems, memories or difficult events.

Anger can be positive, but can have negative consequences when it is not handled in a healthy way.

Being angry is actually a response to some other unresolved emotion. That “other” emotion is underneath anger even if we don’t recognize it. We may not be able to communicate that first emotion and it gets translated into anger.

Managing Anger

Anger does not resolve our underlying emotional need, and “feeling” angry is not wrong. It is important to identify the emotion underneath anger and to explore ways to resolve it. Anger does not resolve itself. Uncontrolled anger may lead to harmful psychological and physical conditions.

Unexpressed anger can also lead to other problems and harmful expressions. Passive-aggressive behavior (getting back at people indirectly), arguing, physical or sexual attack are common.  Serious legal consequences can result.

Managing anger has its benefits. It can help identify emotional triggers, understand unmet emotional needs, increase effective communication, manage stress, increase Emotional Intelligence and a lead to a healthier life.

Solutions

Talking about our anger can help lessen its intensity. Coming to a deeper understanding of ourselves can help us regulate our emotions and responses in a healthier way.

How counseling helps:

  • Identify likely personal triggers and learn healthy responses
  • Learn specific skills to use in anger situations
  • Recognize when you are thinking emotionally and regain self-control
  • Learn and use calming techniques
  • Expressing feelings and needs clearly and in a mature way
  • Increased problem-solving skills
  • Increased effective communication

Skills you can anticipate learning:

  • Impulse control
  • Self-awareness
  • Increased Emotional Intelligence
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Breathing techniques
  • Relaxation strategies

Therapy:

  • Weekly meetings in a small group setting as well as Individual sessions
  • Private location
  • Groups last one hour and thirty minutes

These services typically come through a legal referral and constitute a minimum of 26 weeks including both Group and Individual sessions.

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