1. Counselling Skills – Week 8 Anger Management

2. 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).

3. What Makes You Angry? Write a list of around 20 things which make/have made you angry?

4. 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)

5. 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?

6. What are the consequences of anger? Short term? Medium term? Long term? Who is affected by your anger? ECM

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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.