Outline

The Neuroscience of the Angry Brain

• Anger systems in the brain
• The fight-flight-freeze response of anger
• Connections between the frontal and temporoparietal region
• How breathing affects the survival brain
• Why fighting/hiding anger doesn’t work

Anger and Co-Occurring Disorders: Trauma, Addiction, Depression and More

• The relationship between anger and addiction
• Intermittent Explosive Disorder
• ODD
• Bipolar Disorder
• When anxiety presents as anger
• The role of anger in depression
• Anger after trauma

Shame, Fear, Guilt and the Underlying Causes of Anger

• Avoidance, shame, fear and guilt
• The connection between anger and grief
• The cycle of anger
• How anger styles inform your clinical approach
  • Masked anger
  • Explosive anger
  • Chronic anger
  • Passive aggressive

The Intersection of Anger and Abuse

• Assessment of violence potential
• Is domestic abuse an anger management problem?
• Controlling others

Case Conceptualization and Treatment Planning

• Create a safe therapeutic environment
• Build emotional vocabulary
• Establish short-term and long-term goals
• Strategies for working with groups

Teach Clients to Identify Anger Triggers

• How to use anger logs with clients
• Monitoring physiological sensations of anger
• Identify words and actions that escalate
• Practical goals and commitment to change
• Assessing for client strengths

Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques To Derail Anger in the Moment

• Reset anger with breath work
• Progressive muscle relaxation techniques to maintain control
• Mindful anger techniques and choice awareness
• Guided imagery to put clients in charge of anger
• The Lifesaver Technique

Cognitive Approaches to Challenge the Dysfunctional Thoughts Behind Anger

• CBT exercises to reduce negative self-talk
• Cognitive restructuring and defusion from judgmental thoughts
• Problem-solving and hypothetical situation training
• Creative thought stopping tools for emotional regulation
• Distraction and disengagement strategies

Therapeutic Strategies to Release Old Anger and Lingering Resentments

• Anger and identity
• The cost of avoidance
• Why forgiveness (and self-forgiveness) is never easy
• Prerequisites to letting go of the past
• Conduct a cost-benefit analysis intervention
• Forgiveness interventions to -turn off resentment

Teach Clients to Constructively Communicate Anger

• Assertiveness training techniques
• Communicate anger effectively with -I statements
• The active role of acceptance
• Mindfully respond to anger in interpersonal relationships
• Defuse anger with humor and other conflict resolution strategies

Anger Management Strategies for Kids and Adolescents

• How anger escalates in kids
• Normalizing anger as a healthy emotion
• Communication skills to alleviate frustration
• Coping skills for stress and anxiety
• Feelings thermometer – connect feelings to coping skills

Anger Management for Relationships

• When mundane resentments spiral out of control
• Interventions to overcome the blame habit
• Teach clients active listening skills
• Strategies to build emotional intelligence in couples

Risks and Limitations of Anger Management Therapy