Anger Management Treatment Interventions

Anger management treatments focus on recognizing triggers to anger and learning how to deal better with the stressful situations to prevent destructive behavior. Even though there are different treatment methods for doing this, the most effective treatments are being active in the counseling sessions as well as continuing at-home homework. Cognitive behavioral therapy, reality therapy and self-help are three common forms of treatment for anger management.

CBT
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of treatment that focuses on how a person perceives the experiences leading to anger, how the anger is expressed and how to improve communication with others to prevent the unhealthy behaviors of poor anger control. CBT is a short term and active treatment. From the start of session with the therapist, the client learns and uses skills to decrease unhealthy responses to stress. It is common in CBT for the client to be educated about the physiology of anger, as well as the core beliefs underlying unhealthy anger patterns. CBT requires the client to complete homework tasks related to the therapy sessions to impact the learning process further.

Reality Therapy
Reality therapy is based on choice theory. Basically, this means motivation and behavior are inspired by a drive to meet specific and universal human needs, such as belonging, power, freedom and survival. Reality therapy for anger management is interactive. It focuses on stress management and recognizing the wants and needs that are not being met that influence the anger response. The client meets individually with a therapist to learn skills for managing stress, to form a healthy relationship and to learn techniques for understanding and managing emotions.

Self Help
Self help includes individualized learning or being a part of a support group focused on skill building for anger management. Typical areas of focus in self help include learning how to take a time out before responding to a distressing event, using physical activity as an emotional outlet and gaining problem-solving skills to manage anger-provoking situations. Additionally, support groups explore relaxation methods, such as breathing and meditation techniques, that can be used when anger is triggered. Support groups are not necessarily facilitated by a professional and are not meant to take the place of professional intervention.