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



