Recognise triggers and regain control of your rage with support from an anger management psychologist.
From minor irritation to intense rage, anger is a natural emotion that can help you release stress and overcome threats.
It is a normal part of being human. The problem lies in how you react to and express that anger.
If you feel like your fury is beyond control, it may be time to consider anger management counselling. Instead of attempting to suppress it, you will learn how to regulate and respond to this powerful emotion in a safe, sustainable and healthy way. Ultimately, channelling anger constructively and understanding its triggers can foster your well-being and relationships.
Our anger psychologist in Warners Bay near Newcastle will help you unravel the root cause of this emotion and utilise evidence-based psychological techniques to put out the fire. Discover how to harness this emotion and take the first steps towards a happier and healthier life.
What is anger management therapy?
Research suggests anger is the most challenging emotions to rein in¹.
Professional support is strongly recommended if you are struggling to control your aggression.
Anger management counselling revolves around breaking the pattern of using this emotion as a default response to everyday stressors. After all, anger arises from your own thoughts, feelings and behaviours, rather than others’ actions. During therapy for anger issues, a qualified psychologist will help you pinpoint the real reasons behind inappropriate anger and develop evidence-based coping mechanisms tailored to your needs.
With anger management counselling, you can:
Overcome outbursts with evidence-based anger issues therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy for anger, also known as CBT, is the most common psychological intervention for people who find it difficult to control their rage.
CBT anger management techniques concentrate on the relationship between your feelings, beliefs and thoughts, and the dysfunctional behaviours that result². In this type of therapy for anger issues, you will discover how to reframe useless or negative cognitive patterns and in turn drive more positive action³.
Research suggests that CBT can be extremely helpful in managing anger. For example, one meta-analysis of 50 studies and 1,640 participants reports that 76% of people who underwent CBT for anger demonstrated a medium to long-term improvement in its management than people who did not receive this therapy⁴.
Social skills training
Anger management counselling can incorporate social skills training that focuses on reducing negative and confrontational actions while fostering improved communication and conflict resolution abilities.
You may be encouraged to develop skills such as active listening, assertiveness, and negotiation, as well as consider the effects of your anger on others². These are all important capabilities, as managing situations that provoke anger can prevent conflicts from escalating². Additionally, being able to communicate your feelings to others may help to reduce anger.
Relaxation techniques
Physical experiences, such as muscle tension in the arms and jaw or a sensation of warmth and pressure in the face and head, signal that your body is preparing for a fight or flight response – which can manifest as an anger outburst.
Addressing both its emotional and physical aspects, anger counselling can teach you deep breathing techniques to slow a racing heart and help you calm down.
You may also learn thought-based strategies for self-reassurance, such as how to affirm your ability to handle the situation. With a more relaxed mindset, you can step away, reflect on your actions and solve the problem without anger.
Take back control of your emotions with anger management counselling near Newcastle
Book AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions
Have questions about your next visit? We have you covered!
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What is anger?
Anger is a natural human emotion that has evolved as a defence mechanism against emotional and physical threats. However, for some, this feeling can escalate out of control with long-term consequences. Here are a few examples of how anger can be reflected in behaviour:
- Arguments;
- Physical violence;
- Passive-aggressive interactions; and
- Property damage.
While these manifestations vary in intensity, they share the ability to harm your reputation and relationships. If you would like to learn more about this emotion, please book an appointment with our psychologist for anger management today.
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Where does anger come from in psychology?
Anger can arise from circumstances perceived as unjust, or when we believe we have been mistreated, embarrassed, or threatened.
There might be specific scenarios that tend to provoke anger in you. For example, feelings of resentment or being overburdened can increase the likelihood of experiencing this intense emotion.
Additionally, while anger is not classified as a mental health disorder, it can manifest as a symptom of various mental health issues, such as oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, borderline personality disorder, and depression.
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What are the warning signs of anger?
Recognising signs of anger is a crucial step in learning to control it. These red flags can differ between individuals, but generally include a mix of physical and emotional indicators.
Common physical symptoms of anger include:
- Tension in muscles, particularly in the jaw, shoulders, and arms
- A feeling of increasing pressure in the head
- Warmth and redness in the face
- An accelerated heartbeat or elevated blood pressure
- Rapid breathing
- Perspiration
- Tremors or shakiness
- Clenching of the jaw or fists
- An impulse to shout or engage in physical actions
Meanwhile, emotional and cognitive symptoms of anger include:
- Impatience
- Irritation or feeling on edge
- Humiliation
- Resentfulness
- Frustration
- Overwhelm
- Trouble in regulating emotions or staying calm
- Difficulty focusing or making decisions
Acknowledging these signs of anger allows you to intervene and de-escalate the situation before it becomes unmanageable. Depending on your exact symptoms, we can work together to leverage particular anger therapy techniques.
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Do I need anger management therapy?
You may need to consider anger management counselling if your emotions become challenging to manage. For example, Intermittent Explosive Disorder is a chronic condition characterised by repeated episodes of intense rage.
Other signs that it may be time for anger control therapy include:
- Feeling constantly on edge, even with only minor irritations
- Regular and severe outbursts of anger
- Difficulty calming down and moving on from anger
- Guilt, shame or regret following outbursts
- Hostile interactions with people around you
- Substance abuse
- Social withdrawal
- Frequent arguments
- Relationship difficulties at work
- Committing violence against a person or property
Don’t let anger issues cause long-term damage to your personal relationships, professional goals and overall health. Counselling for anger management can help you target a variety of problems with personalised techniques. Book an appointment with our experienced psychologist for anger issues today.
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Who can attend anger management counselling?
We welcome people of all ages and backgrounds to counselling for anger issues. Common concerns we come across include:
- Disagreements and breakdowns in communication between loved ones;
- Emotional and behavioural problems;
- Conflict in the workplace;
- Domestic violence; and
- Public violence, such as road rage.
Sound familiar? If you are ready to take the next step, book an appointment for anger management counselling near Newcastle today.
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How long does anger management therapy take?
The duration of counselling for anger control depends on your unique circumstances, such as the nature and extent of anger issues, as well as your response and commitment to therapy.
You might notice a significant improvement after just a couple of sessions, or you may need ongoing professional support to manage your emotions.
Your anger counsellor will give you a more accurate estimate during your initial appointment. Get in touch with Chiropractic Plus to learn more about anger management counselling.
References
- Taryn M. Stejskal and Jeff Kreutzer. Anger: Managing Intense Emotions. The National Resource Center for Traumatic Brain Injury, Virginia Commonwealth Model Systems of Care: https://www.brainline.org/article/anger-managing-intense-emotions#comment-form
- . Deffenbacher, J. L., Oetting, E. R., & DiGiuseppe, R. A. (2002). Principles of empirically supported interventions applied to anger management. The Counseling Psychologist, 30, 262–280.
- Lee, A. H., & DiGiuseppe, R. (2018). Anger and aggression treatments: A review of meta-analyses. Current Opinion in Psychology, 19, 65–74.
4. Beck, R., & Fernandez, E. (1998). Cognitive-behavioral therapy in the treatment of anger: A meta-analysis. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 22(1), 63–74.
