Anger therapy is a unique psycho-therapy program for anger management and control. It is defined as applying effective anger management techniques to help individuals cope with their negative emotions. Anger is often a symptom of feeling thwarted or blocked by something that the subject considers to be important. Anger can also be caused by stress and other types of emotional upset.
The goal of anger therapy is to identify and treat the underlying source of the feelings of anger, rather than just suppressing them. A qualified therapist will help individuals deal with these negative emotions. The techniques used in this type of therapy are specific to each individual. The therapist will tailor programs and homework that are based on the individual’s needs and behaviors.
One of the most common emotions associated with anger therapy is shame. Shame is associated with not only negative thoughts, but also negative feelings. When a person experiences shame, it can prevent them from dealing with the real or perceived issue at hand. Shame can also lead to more severe outbursts if the person cannot confront their issue head-on and deal with it.
Empathy is the ability to see how others feel. Empathetic people can often be very understanding and can even understand what makes others react the way they do. For instance, if a person feels that they are being attacked by another person, they may experience an urge to defend themselves. However, if they do not feel they are being attacked, they will experience an urge to defend themselves physically. This ability to discern between what is real and what is fantasy is key to controlling one’s emotions and managing difficult situations.
One aspect of anger therapy that is important to remember is that there are certain therapeutic strategies that may not be appropriate for everyone. A person should discuss any anger issues they have with a qualified professional to determine what form of behavioral and other therapies may be most beneficial for them. In some cases, simply changing a few of the behaviors can make a huge difference in controlling or reducing the amount of rage in a person’s life. Anger management therapy can involve many forms of behavioral interventions or therapeutic strategies that are designed to change an individual’s thoughts and feelings. The goal is to help someone change the way they perceive things.
Some individuals benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is often used in combination with other forms of anger therapy to help a person change the way they respond to stressful situations. Cognitive therapy focuses on the individual’s internal thinking patterns and how those patterns influence their emotions. This type of therapy is very helpful for reducing the physiological effects of stress on an individual. It can also help the person come to terms with the emotions and thoughts that trigger their responses to uncontrollable situations. As an individual begins to develop better ways to cope with their stress and negative emotions, they may find they feel calmer and happier overall.
Other types of anger therapy may require group sessions with a trained therapist or counselor. Group sessions allow a group of people to work on communication skills and problem solving techniques that can reduce the physical and mental reactions to stress. This type of group therapy also allows participants to share their experiences with others. By working together through these sessions, participants learn how to effectively express their emotions and how to reduce or control their negative reactions.
The goals of any therapy designed to change a person’s negative response to situations include improving interpersonal relationships, reducing physiological symptoms related to stress, and developing improved strategies for dealing with difficult emotions. Anger therapy teaches us that our bodies do not need to react negatively when faced with a circumstance that we deem stressful. We can learn to be more assertive when situations that cause stress become common place.