Counselling Skills – Week 8Anger Management

Session Outline/Objectives

• To be able to demonstrate the use of anger management, assertiveness skills and conflict resolution in at least one situation. (over three sessions)

• Participate in weekly check-in• What Makes Us Angry - triggers• Consider own experiences of anger in terms of thoughts,

feelings and behaviours• Consider information and guidance provided by the NHS

for the management of anger.• Try out/consider some anger management techniques• Receive some feedback on your first assignment draft.• Homework: write about a time when you have felt angry

and any anger management techniques which you have used, successfully or otherwise. (see handout).

What Makes You Angry?

• Write a list of around 20 things which make/have made you angry?

How Angry Do They Make You?

• Give each item on your list an intensity score from 1 -10

• For example• 1 = a bit cross/miffed?• 10 = furious

• Scaling (CBT technique)

What Does Anger Feel Like?

• What do you think? What thoughts do you have?

• How do you feel? Physically, mentally?• What do you do? How do you behave?

What are the consequences of anger?

• Short term?• Medium term?• Long term?• Who is affected by your anger?• ECM

Managing Anger

• Symptom control - breathing, relaxation or counting to ten.• Recording and challenging angry behaviour – keeping a diary• Avoiding situations which make you angry• Asking questions. Why am I angry?• Physical exercise – going for a run/walk• Finding solutions to long term problems (financial, job,

relationships)• Paying more attention to health, fitness, relaxation and

enjoyment• Thinking about how you communicate – improve listening

skills, avoid jumping to conclusions, empathise with others and talk about your feelings and concerns

Using metaphors

• Think about something which makes you angry.• Imagine it is a colour. Focus on that colour.• Now gradually change the angry colour into a gentler, softer

colour/shade

• Do the same using texture and sounds.

Sharing and Recording Experiences of Anger

• Find a partner. Invite them to share an experience/s of anger. • Use Active Listening Skills to help them to explore their

experience.• Focus on content and feelings.

• Homework – to be handed in after Easter• Use the handout provided to help you record an experience of

anger and any anger management techniques which you have used, successfully or otherwise.