Summary: <p>Anger Management 9 Session Protocol<br> Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes PhD, LMHC<br> Executive Director, AllCEUs.com<br> Objectives<br> ~ Learn about anger and it’s functions<br> ~ Explore events and cues<br> ~ Develop an anger control plan<br> ~ Learn about the aggression cycle and how to change it<br> ~ Review the ABCDEs and thought stopping<br> ~ Assertiveness and conflict resolution skills<br> ~ Alternatives for expressing anger<br> ~ Relaxation Interventions<br> ~ Explore how past learning from your family of origin can influence current behavior</p> <p>Session One: Learn About Anger<br> ~ Anger is an emotion triggered by a threat which prompts the fight (aggression) or flight reaction<br> ~ Hostility refers to a set of attitudes, thoughts and judgments that motivate aggressive behaviors.<br> ~ Aggression is behavior that is intended to protect oneself by causing harm or injury to another person or damage to property. (Fight or Flee)<br> ~ Many times what we initially perceive as a threat is not currently one</p> <p>Session 1 cont.<br> ~ Misperceptions<br> ~ Example: Fire alarm<br> ~ Example: Sean and Elias<br> ~ Initial experience: Brewster perceived a danger<br> ~ Future experiences—Elias is associated with a threat<br> ~ Example: Rescues<br> ~ Initial experience: A man hurt you<br> ~ Future experiences are overgeneralized: All men are dangerous<br> ~ Example: Domestic Violence<br> ~ Initial experience: Raised voices leads to violence<br> ~ Future experiences: Anytime someone raises their voice it is a threat<br> Session 1<br> ~ Anger becomes a problem when it is felt too intensely, is felt too frequently, or is expressed inappropriately<br> ~ How does anger affect you:<br> ~ Physically: Sleep, pain, GI, immunity<br> ~ Emotionally: Regret, guilt, feeling helpless<br> ~ Socially: Fear vs. respect, negative impact on relationships<br> ~ Occupationally: How you work with others, customer service<br> ~ Spiritually: Your sense of connectedness to and impact within the world, karma<br> ~ Environmentally: Break stuff, holes in walls, throw out things impulsively<br> Session 1…<br> ~ Anger initially has apparent payoffs (e.g., releasing tension, controlling people).<br> ~ In the long-term, however, these payoffs often lead to negative consequences.<br> ~ What benefits/payoffs does anger have for you?<br> ~ Habits are things we do almost automatically.<br> ~ In what ways is anger a habit<br> ~ How can you use mindfulness to start to break that habit?<br> ~ I am angry?<br> ~ What am I angry about?<br> ~ Is this actually a threat to me?<br> ~ What is the best response in this situation to help me achieve my goals<br> Session 1<br> ~ Identify anger control strategies you have used in the past<br> ~ Which ones worked? Why?<br> ~ Which ones didn’t work? Why?</p> <p>Session 1<br> ~ Homework: Keep a log of your anger intensity the next week. Keeping a log helps you become more aware of your triggers and cues and see your progress.<br> ~ On the top of the page, put the date (use a different sheet each day)<br> ~ Make 3 columns with the following headers</p> <p>Session 2: Identifying Triggers, Events & Cues<br> ~ When you get angry, it’s because you have encountered an something that has made you feel threatened (provoked you)<br> ~ What are some general situations that make you irritable? Angry or enraged?<br> ~ Many times, specific events touch on sensitive areas. These sensitive areas or “red flags” usually refer to long-standing issues that can easily lead to anger<br> ~ Loss of Control<br> ~ Rejection/Isolation<br> ~ Death/Loss<br> ~ Failure<br> ~ Why does each of these “sensitive areas” make you feel threatened/trigger your anger?<br> Session 2 cont…<br> ~ Cues are indicators that you are getting angry.<br> ~ Cues can be broken down into four cue categories:<br> ~ Physical Cues (how your body responds; e.g.</p>
