Do I Need An Anger Management Therapist?
Anger is a natural response to a plethora of different stimuli, from external things like your neighbor’s dog tearing up your garden to internal anger issues like spending too much money on that new car. It can range from a little annoyance to a rage that drastically increases the risk of aggressive behavior. It is not possible to avoid anger completely, but anger issues can be controlled. It is all about our ability to handle anger with anger management. Anger management is how you learn to recognize the signs that you are becoming mad and take action to control it.
Anger management
Some of the most common anger management issues include anger caused by factors beyond your control and . anger that overwhelms you, like anger in relationships that causes issues with your partner, family, or friends. Anger may cost you your job if you cannot control your anger at work. Or if it causes you to miss work due to other consequences of your anger issues. Anger management can help avoid some of the adverse effects of anger, no matter the cause.
Types of anger
Although anger management experts do not all agree on the number or types of anger, they typically agree that there is more than one. The most commonly mentioned include volatile, judgmental, self-inflicted, overwhelming, passive, and chronic anger. Anger management therapy can help with any of these and other anger issues.
Volatile anger
Volatile anger is a scary thing to experience for both you and everyone who witnesses it. It happens quickly and can start with something significant or just some small annoyance. Volatile anger is also known as extreme anger that occurs without warning. Some of the warning signs include violent outbursts such as screaming or throwing things, rage, difficulty organizing thoughts, and threatening or causing harm to others. It can also cause physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate, nausea, dizziness, chest pain, and headaches.
Judgmental anger
Do you find yourself judging others without meaning to? Maybe you feel like you are better than some people and are indifferent to others because you cannot be bothered by them. Judgmental anger is directed at other people and can come with intense feelings of resentment toward others. Signs of judgmental anger include thinking negatively of others, calling people names, feeling righteous, making others feel bad, and not feeling guilt or remorse for hurting others emotionally or physically.
Self-inflicted anger
Also known as self-abusive anger, this shame-based anger is dangerous. This is characterized as anger that is directed inwardly at yourself. Unfortunately, this type of anger can stay hidden inside for a long time until you finally explode. When this happens, you can end up turning your rage on the nearest person. Anger management can help with this.
If you or a loved one is experiencing abuse, contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Support is available 24/7.
Overwhelming anger
This type of anger takes over your life because you have too many demands or are feeling overwhelmed. You may feel like you cannot continue on your path and want to quit. It can be a work thing, a personal thing, or both. No matter what it is that is overwhelming you; it typically represents extreme anxiety, resentment towards others you perceive to have a more comfortable life, and all of the physical signs of anger like rapid heartbeat, headache, dizziness, nausea, and chest pains. Anger management treatment can help.
Passive anger
Passive anger is sometimes hard to notice because you may not even realize you are angry. You may keep your emotions inside to control these feelings, but anger usually comes out in other ways. For example, you may be sarcastic or mean to someone for no reason or just indifferent to them. You may also do things like being hostile to others, staying home from work or school, or alienating your friends and family to sabotage yourself. Taking anger management classes can be a big help.
Chronic anger
Just like the name says, chronic anger is prolonged or constant feelings of anger toward others. You may feel mad at everyone all the time but cannot figure out why. These feelings can last for months and get worse as time goes on. You may have bouts of road rage, physical violence, or get in trouble with the law because you are just angry at everyone all the time. This type of anger is often linked to other mental or emotional issues like borderline personality disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, or bipolar disorder.
Different types of anger management therapists
Which type of mental health care professional you should get depends on your specific anger issues. However, it may not be until you have an intake with a therapist or even a few sessions until you understand which type of particular anger issue you have. There are many different kinds of anger management professionals, such as clinical psychologists, licensed professional counselors, family therapists, marriage counselors, or psychiatrists. It just depends on the best anger management therapists for your type of anger issues. Here are some of the different kinds of anger management specialists:
Clinical psychologist
A clinical psychologist is a psychologist with a doctoral degree in psychology. They are trained in making diagnoses as well as providing both individual and group therapy. A clinical psychologist can do any treatment that relates to anger management, including cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Licensed professional counselor
A licensed professional counselor has a master’s degree in counseling, psychology, or another field related to anger management. They are also trained to do individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. In addition, they are trained to diagnose some mental illnesses.
Family therapist
Family therapists have a master’s degree and are specially trained in family therapy, anger management, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Like others, they can provide individual, group, or couples therapy and diagnose some mental conditions.
Marriage counselor
Marriage counselors have a master’s degree with a special concentration in marital counseling education like a family therapist. They can also diagnose mental conditions and provide both individual and group counseling, such as couples therapy.
Other specialized therapists
There are other types of counselors and therapists that may help treat anger issues. Some practice sex therapy, play therapy, exposure therapy, art therapy, and anger management cognitive behavioral therapy.
Psychiatrist
Unlike all of the above mental health care professionals, the psychiatrist is an actual doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating emotional and mental illnesses. They are the only ones who can prescribe medication and provide medication management as well. However, they are not typically the ones to give counseling.
What kind of therapy do you need?
Once you choose a mental health care professional, they will help you figure out what kind of therapy or classes you need. There are many types of therapy, from anger management classes to anger management counseling. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is helpful for many types of anger, and most of the professionals listed above will be well-versed in it. Another popular form of therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, may be useful for managing anger and stress by helping people accept things in their life they cannot change.
Anger management classes
Anger management classes are often court-ordered, but you can often attend them voluntarily as well. Classes are typically done in a group setting, either in a classroom or a meeting room, where a small group of people will talk about their experiences with anger management and what it has done to their lives. You will learn to understand how anger controls your life. Classes are usually run by a licensed professional therapist or another professional with advanced training in anger management.
Group therapy
Group therapy anger management is centered on helping you acknowledge your problem and admit that it exists. Once you can do that, you will be able to begin talking about it with other people. Although all anger management therapists and counselors have their own techniques, their main objective is to help you find the source of your anger so you can take steps to deal with it.
Anger management counseling
Rather than taking anger management classes, you may choose individual psychotherapy with a mental health professional such as a licensed professional counselor. Family therapy or couples therapy might also be helpful. You can choose a clinical psychologist, licensed professional therapist or counselor, or other mental health professional. Although there are various anger management techniques that anger management therapists may use, many choose some form of cognitive-behavioral therapy for anger issues.
Family therapy
You may also choose to see a marriage and family therapist, depending on what type of anger management issue you are going through due to your anger issues. Family therapy is best for any issue that affects your whole family, whether that means your spouse, partner, children or other loved ones. For therapy, marriage counseling is often better for specific marital problems due to anger issues. Of course, you do not have to be married for this counseling. It is also known as couples counseling and can be used for couples who are not married.
Reaching out for help
No matter your anger issue, you need to find anger management therapists for your situation, whether you want individual psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or marriage counseling. The best anger management therapists for you depend on what type of counseling you need. To find anger management therapy easier, you can visit the ReGain website and find online therapy with a mental health professional. All you have to do is answer a few questions, and they will find qualified professionals to help you manage anger.
Online therapy is increasingly popular, and many people find they prefer the benefits of online counseling over in-person therapy. Online therapy offers more flexible scheduling and a wider range of practitioners from which to choose. In addition, online therapy may be significantly cheaper than what is available locally. Furthermore, even though online therapy is delivered remotely, evidence suggests it is just as effective as in-person options.
Counselor reviews
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What are signs of anger issues?
If you think you have some concerns when it comes to managing anger and want to resolve them, taking the time to examine your behavior and its potential triggers is a great first step.
Through the help of an anger management therapist in an anger management class, you might identify signs of anger that you'd never considered before. You might also utilize techniques and skills, like mindfulness activities or an anger-busting workbook, to manage your emotions. Thankfully, free anger management courses and low-cost options are available through the Internet, so just about anyone can take steps toward self-improvement.
Here are a few signs that you might benefit from anger management classes:
- Showing passive-aggressive behavior. Anger management courses can help you manage your possible passive-aggressive behavior. Some people choose to be sarcastic, apathetic, or plain mean, but if you do not realize that you are passive-aggressive, that could be because you may not know how to manage your emotions properly. Online anger management classes and in-person anger management classes alike can help you identify if your passive-aggressive behavior prompts you to alienate friends and family or skip out on important events. An anger management therapist can provide anger management techniques that could help you be more genuine with your words and actions toward other people.
- Not healthily expressing your anger to other people. An anger management therapist can help you identify whether you're suppressing anger during anger management classes. Online anger management classes can help you begin to be honest with yourself if something makes you feel upset. Above all else, an anger management class provides a safe and welcoming environment for you to try new things (like an anger-busting workbook, mindfulness techniques, etc.) and manage your emotions successfully.
- Failing to take responsibility for your actions. An anger management class can tackle problems associated with not taking responsibility when you are at fault. People may blame others for something that they've done as a means of self-defense. Anger management training and other online anger management classes can help you hold yourself accountable for your actions. The best anger management courses often feature techniques (like an anger-busting workbook or an anger journal) to help you realize why you push the blame onto others and what you can do instead.
How do I stop being angry over little things?
When we fail to address our emotions over long periods of time, don't communicate with others, and isolate ourselves, we can easily get irritated even by a minute, innocuous things.
Anger management courses can help with this problem. The best anger management classes involve an anger management therapist teaching anger management techniques and other anger management training regimes to control you and your emotions.
Anger management techniques that you may learn (whether from online anger management classes, a court-ordered anger management course, an anger-busting workbook, etc.) include:
- Slow breathing anger management techniques. A simple practice you can do at any time is to take a deep breath during stressful situations. The best anger management courses can also advise you on various breathing techniques, including deep and short breaths. An anger management class may also encourage you to relay anger management training to others in your life, including breathing anger management techniques. Anger management classes will have a trained professional anger management therapist with the skills and tools (journals, an anger-busting workbook, etc.) to support you.
- Look at the situation from another perspective. Anger management classes include anger management training that can help you imagine the other person's feelings when they do something you may not like. The best anger management courses may help you understand someone else's feelings instead of focusing on just your response. For instance, anger management courses may have a trained anger management therapist encourage you to consider how you would feel if you did something that would anger someone else.
What is the best therapy for anger management?
The best anger management class and therapy is generally cognitive-behavioral therapy. Whether an individual participates in court-ordered anger management, online anger management courses, or in-person courses, some element of CBT or its techniques is likely to be involved.
CBT helps with anger management classes, online anger management classes, court-ordered anger management, and anger management training with a professional anger management therapist. It helps you identify harmful thoughts, behaviors, and other actions. Anger management courses can also provide anger management training that can help you change how you view your behaviors from a negative to a positive outlook by being a better person.
Anger management courses and court-ordered anger management may also introduce other anger management techniques and other practices, such as keeping an "angry" journal or an anger-busting workbook. The best anger management classes, even court-ordered anger management classes, may recommend people use creative outlets like writing to express how they feel healthily.
It's also possible to attend online anger management classes or in-person classes for a specific concern that you have - your symptoms don't have to be extremely chronic to warrant treatment.
Whether in-person or online anger management classes, the best anger management class will likely be one with a professional anger management therapist examining someone's journal with them and discussing specific anger management techniques.
Online resources also exist to support those experiencing challenges managing their anger. The Anger Management Training Institute, for instance, offers testimonies, techniques, and tips to help manage symptoms.
The Anger Management Training Institute also offers courses for users. Though services like the Anger Management Training Institute may not replace a traditional therapist, they can be great tools that further help you along the way.
How much does it cost to go to anger management?
The cost of anger management classes and online anger management classes can vary depending on the anger management class and anger management therapist. The cost ranges from $75 to $300, with some places charging cheaper or lower for their anger management class.
Since court-ordered anger management courses are required by law, you may find it difficult to find the best anger management class with a professional anger management therapist for an affordable price. You can try to find a free anger management course online and work to obtain tools (an anger-busting workbook) to utilize as well.
The Online Anger Management Training Institute also offers free information like testimonials and where to find support.
How do I know if I need anger management?
If your anger frequently causes problems in your life, whether, with work, home, relationships, or anything else, you may need some techniques to help you manage your emotions.
Finding good anger management techniques (like a journal or an anger-busting workbook) early on is essential for preventing conflict down the road. Court-ordered anger management should be a last resort for those looking to be mindful of their emotions.
Some anger management techniques that you could practice from home may involve writing in a journal, taking a break from avenues in your life that gets you angry easily (such as social media), or going for walks.
Can counseling help with anger issues?
Evidence suggests that counseling is one of many effective approaches to help lower anger and aggression. Individual counseling is often used, but group approaches may be even more effective. Anger issues often have underlying causes, and counseling is often a safe and effective way to address those issues without provoking anger or irritability.
What are the three main approaches to managing anger?
According to the American Psychological Association, the three main approaches to managing anger include expressing, suppressing, and calming. Expressing anger in an assertive, though not aggressive, manner is generally considered the healthiest way to manage anger and the approach most likely to end with the concerns that caused the anger being addressed. Calming involves removing oneself from anger-inducing triggers as much as possible and relying on relaxation strategies to help reduce feelings of aggression or irritability. Suppressing anger, typically considered the least effective form of management, involves using brute force to keep angry feelings from turning into aggressive behaviors.
Is anger genetic or learned?
It is likely that a predisposition to anger comes from both natural and environmental factors. Anger is often familial, meaning it runs in families, indicating that there may be a genetic component. It is also possible that children learn angry behaviors from parents who struggle to express themselves in another way. In addition to genetics, other environmental factors might include poverty, exposure to toxins, or brain injury.
Is anger a type of depression?
Anger is typically considered a separate issue from depression, but it is possible for anger issues and depressive symptoms to be related. Those with angry personality traits often experience a worsening of anger symptoms when depression worsens as well. Depression might also be more likely in those with anger issues due to the isolating, adverse conditions that ongoing anger problems can cause.
How do you fix anger issues?
Anger issues are typically best addressed with the help of a professional. Individual therapy is a common approach, where evidence-based psychotherapies like cognitive-behavior therapy or interpersonal therapy may help reduce the impact of anger. Group approaches are also common, either as group therapy led by a mental health professional or as support groups where those with anger issues can seek support without judgment. Finally, there are anger management programs that can be done from home or in person and use standardized, programmatic interventions to help reduce anger symptoms.
Are anger issues associated with mental illness?
Anger issues can have many underlying causes, including some mental illnesses. However, anger itself is not typically considered a mental illness, with one exception. Those diagnosed with Intermittent Explosive Disorder have a mental condition that directly interferes with their ability to regulate anger. In addition, other mental illness that affect impulse control or conduct regulation may also make anger more likely.
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