Our goals for each client who attends the Anger Management program are:
To understand the difference between anger as an emotion and angry behavior which leads to harmful choices towards yourself and others
To understand negative self-talk and how such thoughts work to escalate emotions and choices
To demonstrate the ability to prevent anger from building by monitoring thoughts
To demonstrate knowledge of how to contain anger in the moment and how to calm down and make choices that are not harmful to yourself and/or others
To understand where your anger comes from and what situations you use to give yourself an excuse to hurt yourself and/or others
To learn conflict resolution skills and practice them during sessions
To start to understand how to make amends for choices made out of anger and negative self-talk
To start to learn how to reduce anger and build values and meaning in life that are not dependent on anger
Program Exercises
The Anger Management Program at Emerge consists of 14 sessions, divided as follows:
One session reviewing the program workbook, discussing the activities involved in the program, and discussing an initial educational lesson.
Four sessions discussing the concept of “Prevention.” These sessions focus on changing thoughts to prevent a harmful reaction to anger.
Four sessions discussing the concept of “Containment.” These sessions focus on how to stop anger from escalating to an unmanageable level.
Four sessions discussing the concept of “Resolution.” These sessions focus developing conflict resolution skills and making amends for angry behavior.
One session of review and self-evaluation, reflecting on lessons learned and goals for the future.
Each group or individual session requires participants to complete four workbook exercises which have a variety of approaches and content. Workbooks are given out during the first session.
Is Anger Management for Me?
Anger Management is designed for people who experience anger towards anyone other than an intimate partner (for example, coworkers, friends, other family members, and strangers). Many people who think they need Anger Management actually need Abuser Education, which is designed to help people manage harmful behavior directed towards a partner.
Anger Management is not individualized or specific to the issue of anger in a relationship, which is why anger management programs are not appropriate for people who experience anger towards their partners. The Department of Public Health of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in collaboration with the Governor’s Commission on Domestic Violence, developed the following information to help people understand the difference between Anger Management and Abuser Education. Click here for more information.