Anger Management and Prevention Programs

Everyone experiences anger from time to time. Feelings of anger can result from social conflicts, perceived unfairness, or if a person’s needs are not being met. In these instances, anger is a normal emotional response that can motivate someone to make a change. However, anger can also be negative and destructive to oneself and others. If anger feels overwhelming or unmanageable, or if anger is beginning to interfere with your career and personal life, it may be time to seek help.

What Are Anger Management and Prevention Programs?

Anger management describes how individuals deal with situations that make them angry. Anger management and prevention programs are psycho-educational interventions designed to help people identify triggers and manage their anger in a positive, productive, and sustainable way. These programs can be delivered in either a small group or one-on-one session with a licensed mental health professional.

If anger is bottled up or not managed properly, it can have severe adverse effects on your mental health and physical well-being. Chronic anger has been linked to several long-term health issues, including:

• Heart disease, heart attack, and stroke
• Digestive Problems like constipation, diarrhea, and cramping
• Chronic rashes and skin disorders like dermatitis and psoriasis
• Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
• Anxiety and depression

Anger management programs use a variety of different treatment strategies to help patients cope with their anger and manage these feelings in a healthy way. Common treatment strategies found in anger management programs include:

• Cognitive Behavior Therapy: This evidence-based approach helps patients identify common thoughts or beliefs that trigger their anger and teaches them how to challenge or reframe these patterns of thinking. Research shows that cognitive behavior therapy for anger management can significantly improve emotional regulation and reduce aggressive behavior.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy: This approach provides patients with the skills necessary to handle intense emotions without acting impulsively and develop healthy responses to those emotions.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: For patients who are experiencing anger as a result of life situations beyond their control, this strategy promotes acceptance of the situation and commitment to act in a way that aligns with their personal values.

Often, anger can arise from an underlying psychological condition. An effective anger management strategy may also involve identifying and treating underlying mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, chronic stress, PTSD, or substance abuse and addiction. 

Who Are Anger Management Programs For?

While anger is a normal human emotion, anger that is out of control can lead to serious health issues. Learning how to properly manage and cope with your anger can minimize your health risk and lead to better emotional regulation and stronger communication skills. 

Anger management programs and classes are for anyone who feels that their anger is negatively impacting their life, or anyone who wants to learn how to manage their emotions better. For patients who have underlying mental health issues, anger management programs can lead to a significantly higher quality of life.

Occasionally, anger management programs or classes can be court-ordered. This may be the case for someone who is considered a violent offender, or it may be part of a child custody agreement. Whatever the case may be, anger management programs can have a significant, positive effect on a person’s health and wellness, and it is important to approach these classes and programs with an open mind and a willingness to improve.

"Anger management programs are for anyone who feels that their anger is negatively impacting their life, or anyone who wants to learn how to manage their emotions better." - Yamelisa Taveras, M.A., CAADC, CCS

What Are The Benefits of Anger Management Programs?

For anyone struggling to control their anger, there is considerable evidence to show that anger management programs can have significant, positive benefits for patients across all different backgrounds and demographics. Some of the benefits of anger management programs include:

• Improved physical and mental health
• Improved relationships
• Stronger communication skills
• Improved ability to manage strong emotions and respond to stressful situations
• Improved mood and sleep

Types of Anger Management And Prevention Programs?

Treatment centers often offer a variety of anger management programs. Some of these programs may be delivered in a small group setting, while others may be in a one-on-one setting with a licensed therapist. Each program type can have different benefits for the patient.

Anger Management Classes

Anger management classes are educational classes where a licensed counselor will work with a group of people to teach them effective strategies for managing their anger and avoiding triggers. These classes are typically smaller, consisting of 5-10 people at a time. These classes follow a structured curriculum and run for a set number of weeks. Participants may get a certificate of completion at the end of the course.

One of the major benefits of anger management classes is that you will have the opportunity to learn from other individuals going through similar emotional challenges. This collaborative environment can help inform your own anger management strategies. And while anger management classes will involve others, the class sizes are still small enough for participants to receive personalized help and support.

Individual Anger Management Therapy

In contrast to anger management classes, individual anger management therapy sessions are for people who require a more personalized treatment plan. This may be due to underlying mental health issues or personal trauma. In these cases, patients may meet with a licensed counselor to heal from past trauma while simultaneously learning how to better manage their anger. Such an individualized approach also provides more flexibility in terms of scheduling and program duration.

Our Anger Management and Prevention Programs

At Counseling Solutions of Lehigh Valley, our mission is to create a safe space for healing through a harm-reduction and culturally competent approach to mental health and substance use recovery. We provide bilingual, DDAP and DHS licensed counseling services and work with our patients to find the best treatment options for their specific needs. 

Are you ready to take back control of your life? Contact us today to request an appointment.