Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Anger Management?
"Anger management is the process of learning to recognize signs that you're becoming angry, and taking action to calm down and deal with the situation in a positive way.
Anger management doesn't try to keep you from feeling anger or encourage you to hold it in.
Anger is a normal, healthy emotion when you know how to express it appropriately — anger management is about learning how to do this."
- Mayo Clinic
Anger is a normal, healthy emotion, but when chronic, explosive anger spirals out of control, it can have serious consequences for relationships, health, and one's state of mind.
"Violence is not a product of mental illness; violence is a product of anger. When we cannot modulate (control) anger, it will control our behavior."
- Laura L. Hayes, Ph.D
What Anger Management Is Not.
Anger Management is NOT about learning to suppress angry feelings. It is about learning to recognize one's own anger and developing healthy and beneficial ways of expressing it.
With insight and education about the real reasons for one's anger and the anger management tools we provide, one can learn to keep their temper from hijacking those things that are the most important to living a good life.
Why Is Anger Management Important?
One might think that venting anger is healthy, that the people around them are "just too sensitive", that one's anger is justified, or that it's necessary to express fury and rage to get "respect". The truth is that unhealthy anger is much more likely to...
• Impair one's judgment.
• Make medical conditions worse.
• Damage important relationships.
• increase the possibility of legal issues.
• Get in the way of work and relational success.
• Have a negative impact on how one is perceived.
There are many more harmful outcomes associated with uncontrolled anger outbursts but these are significant enough to think seriously about seeking help..
Suppression of anger (also known as "holding it all in") is also not a healthy option. What we will focus on developing is the healthy expression of anger that is assertive, constructive, and leads to problem solving instead of destructive behaviors.
Developing these skills is important to save important relationships, employment and professional growth, maintain friendships, and reduce the possibility of significant legal issues, etc.
Does It Work?
That is a really good question. It is important to remember that change is not automatic. Like anything worth doing, change takes intentionality, education, inspiration, motivation and commitment to see the process through.
It is also important to keep in mind that when learning any new skill or making change, it is inevitable that there will be failures along the way. Failures are not evidence of inability to change. They are simple reminders of the importance of repeated practice in the development of new ways of thinking and behaving.
We assist the journey of change by coaching our clients through the process of change. We do this by providing a safe space that encourages learning, inspiration and motivation; the prime ingredients of human growth and flourishing. The important thing to remember is why one is making the change. The why is what will keep one motivated to persist in the face of the challenges of change.
How Long Is The Program?
Generally, for mandated clients we can tailor a program depending on court or probation requirements. We will always make sure all requirements are met as quickly as possible.
Upon successful completion of a mandated program, a certificate and letter of completion will be issued. The certificate and letter will be issued as PDF files and sent to the supplied email address. The files can be forwarded by the client to any mandating authority as directed.
For non-mandated clients, we will work to determine the appropriate amount of sessions needed to see the desired change. Each client is different and the amount of sessions needed will depend on each client's level of motivation and success in putting the skills into effective practice.
Where And How Do We Meet?
We do not have in-office sessions at this time.
All sessions are conducted using the ZOOM app.
Connecting through a stable internet connection via Wi-Fi is advised.
After an appointment has been scheduled, a ZOOM link will be created and sent to the supplied client email. The customized client ZOOM link is what will be used to log in at the appointed time for all sessions. Sessions can be conducted on one's smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.
The weekly sessions will include the instruction of various skills and homework assignments will be given in order for the client to practice the skills in the real world.
The benefit of meeting on a regular basis is the coaching and feedback being done in a nonjudgemental manner that encourages personal growth.
How Do I Start?
We would be happy to have a no-obligation 30 minute consultation via phone or ZOOM to determine if our services are a good fit for you.
Once it has been determined that our anger management program could be useful and beneficial, an appointment for a session can be scheduled at that time.