Having difficulty controlling anger is common.
It's estimated that as many as 1 in 4 adults have anger problems and need help with anger control.
And the number of people who suffer from these issues are growing, which means that more and more people are looking for anger management programs to get their lives back on track.
This blog post will give you all the information about how these programs work, what they involve, and what you can expect when going through them so that you can decide if this is something worth pursuing for yourself or someone else close to you!
Let's begin!
What Is An In-Person Anger Management Program?
In-person anger management programs can be divided into two types, namely:
- individual anger management counseling, and
- face-to-face anger management groups.
Let's look at both of these options:
a) Individual Anger Management Counseling:
Individual anger management counseling is where you meet with a therapist who specializes in anger management. They'll work one-on-one with you to figure out the root of your anger issues, and find ways to help you manage them better both on your own time and when triggered by other people or situations around you.
This can include discussions about how best to handle high levels of stress so that it doesn't trigger an angry outburst. This can include:
- finding healthy outlets for stress relief
- setting boundaries between yourself and others who cause feelings of frustration or irritation (ex: family members)
- learning self-soothing techniques like deep breathing exercises etc
- identifying what triggers are most likely to lead up to uncontrolled anger episodes from past events in life, and so on.
2) Face-to-Face Anger Management Groups:
Face-to-face anger management groups comprise of group sessions of ten to fifteen participants meeting face-to-face with an anger management therapist.
The length of the group program is usually between six months and two years.
Group members are encouraged to share their experiences during the course of these meetings.
This includes:
- what they did or didn't do which led up to triggering events that created anger reactions from themselves and others
- discussion of the effects anger had on their lives and those around them
- parts of their individual history that may have contributed to anger
- the skills needed to manage their anger in future situations, and
- how the group has helped them change
The format of these meetings is usually determined by the therapist, but may include:
- a guided visualisation exercise at the beginning of each session which helps participants relax and concentrate on what's being discussed
- sharing the main events of participant's weeks with each other
- role play exercises focusing on real life scenarios where anger might be experienced
- talking through strategies for coping with any feelings of anger that come up if participants are angry again in a similar situation, and
- thoughts about how those people may have felt when something happened leading up to an angry outburst event
The type and format of these group sessions depend on where it is being held (and who is running the program).
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Why Do I Need An Anger Management Program?
Face-to-face anger management programs can be an important part of any anger management strategy. They have been found to reduce the number and intensity of future angry outbursts, as well as increase your level of control over situations that usually lead up to anxiety or anger.
Many people feel overwhelmed by their own feelings, which may eventually lead them into uncontrollable emotional episodes. In-person group anger programs provide an environment for you to work through those emotions with other people who share similar experiences.
Anger also has many different causes: past trauma, family life growing up, certain personality traits, hostile belief systems and so forth. Anger management programs are specifically designed to help clients identify the root causes of their anger and find healthier ways to respond to it.
One important thing about these programs is that they will include people who are court-mandated to be there. At times these people attend reluctantly and can reduce the effectiveness of the program in general.
What Are The Benefits Of Attending A Face-To-Face Anger Management Program?
One of the most important benefits of attending a face-to-face anger management program is that you will be able to connect with others who have experienced anger issues and may be at a similar place in their lives as you.
This connection can promote an environment for healing, both on a personal level but also within society as well.
Most anger management program providers also offer resources like counseling sessions where participants are encouraged to share their feelings about what has led them there and how they want things to change going forward.
Who Should Attend An Anger Management Course?
People who should attend an anger management course include those with a family history of anger issues or certain personality traits like high levels of anxiety, low self-esteem and depression or social isolation.
There are many different types of in-person anger management courses available for adults. Some programs offer nonverbal methods to help reduce the risk that you may have angry outbursts while others teach more traditional therapies such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, which is based on Western psychological principles about how thoughts create emotions and lead to behaviors.
It is important to find a program that will work best for your individual situation so there can be a greater chance at success in managing your anger over time. The first step would be determining what type of anger management setting is likely to be most beneficial for you.
A face-to-face anger management course might not be right if your issue with angry outbursts are related to mental health, drug or alcohol abuse issues or recent traumatic events like domestic violence.
In these cases other programs may better suit your needs and should be considered first as the type of program that will work best for you in managing anger over time.
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What Are The Costs Of An In-Person Program Vs Online Courses, And Which One Might Be Right For You?
Costs for in-person programs can vary, ranging from $500 to more than $2,000.
Online programs are usually less expensive, but the cost varies depending on your needs and which type of anger management course you're looking for.
Some in-person courses have a sliding scale fee. Sliding scale fees may vary by location so check locally if it's available near you.
Is Doing A Face-To-Face Anger Management Course Better Than Enrolling In An Online Anger Management Program?
An in-person anger management program may be right for you if:
- you want to develop friendships with others who attend the same course
- you want to support of a group of people meeting every week to keep you motivated to learn how to control your anger
However, if you simply want to learn the tools and techniques that you need to know to manage your anger in a healthy way, an online program may be the best option.
For other people, "blended" anger management programs such as The Complete Anger Management System, which combine online video lessons as well as optional group Zoom calls, combine the benefits of both traditional face-to-face and online anger management programs.
Where Can I Find A Good, Local Face-To-Face Anger Management Course?
The simplest way to find a good face-to-face anger management course is to just conduct a Google search in your area for "anger management courses" or the name of your town and see what comes up.
Some larger cities will have many face-to-face anger management programs, but smaller towns will offer programs as well.
In general, it's best to call ahead before enrolling in a face-to-face anger management program in order to ensure its legitimacy.
The course should be run by licensed therapists with experience working through anger issues and who have undergone specialized training on how to teach this type of program effectively. You'll want someone who is trained and experienced in the area of anger management.
Is There Anything Else I Should Know?
Finally, before you choose to attend a face-to-face anger management program make sure that it's the right fit for your needs.
Also make sure that you are motivated to learn how to control your anger.
Issues of anger are changeable quickly once you learn the right tools and techniques!
