Anger Management Counseling at our practice is a 12-session violence prevention program (individual or group sessions are available). Some clients refer themselves to the program as a direct result of their own upsetting behavior. Other clients may be referred by the court due to legal issues. In most cases, there is a precipitating event such as a relationship breakup, domestic violence episode, or an issue with a co-worker in which anger management participation is a condition for reconciliation. In other instances, clients may be referred to our office by their attorneys, the court system, their counselor, or at the request of family members.
Uncontrolled anger or emotions can affect your relationships, employment, and your emotional and physical health. If you do not learn how to control your anger, it can begin to impact you in other ways. In some instances, you may notice intense rage, anxiety, social difficulties, depression, feeling out of control, and decreased self-worth.
If you are suffering from anger issues, it is vital that you get the support you need so that you can develop effective coping strategies. By participating in anger management, you will learn how to recognize your personal anger triggers. It is important to understand how your body and mind react to anger. In counseling, you will discuss situations in the past that have triggered your anger. Your counselor will assist you in learning to identify your emotional responses to anger – for example when you have a hard time managing your verbal responses, lose your temper, or when you lash out at others. You will also learn to identify how your body physically reacts to anger – for example you may clench your fists, clench your jaw, experience anxiety, racing heart, have difficulty relaxing, or have trouble focusing on your daily tasks.
The goal of the anger management program is to develop healthier coping strategies so that you can begin to handle situations in a calmer and more productive way.
Benefits of Anger Management Counseling
- Learn how to cope with difficult life situations
- Learn to positively resolve conflicts in relationships
- Begin to mentally handle emotional stress caused by abuse or physical trauma
- By addressing anger, you will be able to overcome chronic pain, fatigue and other physical symptoms
To learn more about our counselors please visit their pages – Kathleen Coughlin, LCSW and Sarah Allen, Registered Mental Health Intern.
Additional Resources on how to manage anger can be found here.