This programme consists of a 12-week cognitive behavioural anger management treatment. Each of the 12 hour-long weekly sessions of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) treatments have been found to be effective, time-limited treatments for anger problems. Sessions will also include interpersonal psychotherapy and coming into a different relationship, emotionally, with both the causes and consequences of anger.
Two optional 75 minute family sessions with significant others is also possible and advised. One will be atthe beginning of treatment and the other near the end.
Sessions Overview
Session 1
Overview of Anger Management Treatment.
Session 2
Events and Cues: A Conceptual Framework for Understanding Anger
(Optional Family Therapy session here)
Session 3
Anger Control Plans: Helping Clients Develop a Plan for Controlling Anger
Session 4
The Aggression Cycle: How To Change the Cycle
Session 5
Cognitive Restructuring: The A-B-C-D Model and Thought Stopping
Session 6
Review Session #1: Reinforcing Learned Concepts
Sessions 7 & 8
Assertiveness Training and the Conflict Resolution Model: Alternatives for Expressing Anger
Sessions 9 & 10
Anger and the Family: How Past Learning Can Influence Present Behaviour.
(Optional Family Therapy session here)
Session 11
Review Session #2: Reinforcing Learned Concepts
Session 12
Talking about Relapse. Closing and Graduation: Closing Exercise and Awarding of Certificates
Four types of CBT interventions:
1. Relaxation interventions, which target emotional and physiological components of anger
2. Cognitive interventions, which target cognitive processes such as hostile appraisals and attributions, irrational beliefs, and inflammatory thinking
3. Communication skills interventions, which target deficits in assertiveness and conflict resolution skills
4. Combined interventions, which integrate two or more CBT interventions and target multiple response domains.
This combined approach presents the participants with options that draw on these different interventions and then encourages them to develop individualised anger control plans using as many of the techniques as possible. Not all clients use all the techniques and interventions presented in the treatment (e.g., cognitive restructuring), but almost all finish the treatment with more than one technique or intervention on their anger control plans.Theoretically, the more techniques and interventions an individual has on his or her anger control plan, the better equipped he or she will be to manage anger in response to anger provoking events.
This combined approach presents the participants with options that draw on these different interventions and then encourages them to develop individualized anger control plans using as many of the techniques as possible. Not all the participants use all the techniques and interventions presented in the treatment (e.g., cognitive restructuring), but almost all finish the treatment with more than one technique or intervention on their anger control plans.
Theoretically, the more techniques and interventions an individual has on his or her anger control plan, the better equipped he or she will be to manage anger in response to anger provoking events.