Aldersgate Offers Anger Management Program
Date Posted: Wed Jul 1st, 2009
People often experience anger and frustration in daily living, typically when life feels out of control. Such feelings and the way they are expressed can negatively affect one’s health, schoolwork or job, and personal relationships.
Anger may be a cover for other emotions, such as sadness, fear, guilt, and shame. Young men find these emotions more difficult to deal with because they usually have fewer social networks and more inhibition discussing emotions than young women. In these situations, alcohol or other drugs can become an escape mechanism to avoid feelings. As a result, a person does not work through concerns, and drug and alcohol use can evolve into addictions.
Drug and alcohol use in young people changes the way their body processes anger. Lowered inhibitions and poor judgment can lead those with anger issues to act out more easily and aggressively than when sober. That can, in turn, result in legal charges, relationship conflicts, and other problems.
Aldersgate offers a 4-6 session anger management program that covers assessment, education, and counseling for those who recognize that they need help. Clients may make the contact themselves or be referred by concerned family or friends.
Therapists use anger management and drug and alcohol assessment tools to determine the level of anger and the potential for violence. Clients learn how the body experiences anger and the physical signs that indicate frustration, anger, or rage. They are encouraged to identify triggers that elicit anger and are taught to prevent unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as substance use. They also learn appropriate ways to control anger, including taking a time-out or engaging in positive physical activity such as taking a walk, playing a musical instrument, dancing, weightlifting, and the like.
The benefits of this program are increased confidence in handling difficult situations, a more positive attitude, better coping and problem-solving skills, and an overall improvement in the quality of one’s health, school work or job, and personal relationships. To learn more about anger management or other counseling services provided to individuals and families, call Diane Kinney, Intake Coordinator, or Pat Wilcke, Clinical Supervisor at 215-657-4545.