Anger Management

Description: This course will familiarize learners with a 12-week cognitive behavioral anger management group treatment using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anger management.  The treatment was designed for use with substance abuse and mental health populations with concurrent anger problems.  Each of the 12, 90-minute weekly sessions is described in detail with specific instructions for group leaders, tables and figures that illustrate the key conceptual components of the treatment, and homework assignments for the group participants. An accompanying Participant Workbook is provided. (See Anger Management for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Clients: Therapy Manual and Participant Workbook:  Reilly, Shopshire, Durazzo, & Campbell, 2002)

The study will present four types of CBT interventions, theoretically unified by principles of social learning theory, most often used when treating anger disorders:

• Relaxation interventions, which target emotional and physiological components of anger.

• Cognitive interventions, which target cognitive processes such as hostile appraisals and attributions, irrational beliefs, and inflammatory thinking.

• Communication skills interventions, which target deficits in assertiveness and conflict resolution skills.

• Combined interventions, which integrate two or more CBT interventions and target multiple response domains. (Deffenbacher).

Public Domain Notice:  This study is based on the CSAT Anger Management for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Clients: A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Manual and Participant Workbook. The materials are Public Domain and as such may not be sold.  They are provided without cost to the participants of this study. The fees for this study are for certification only. (CE credits or completion certification)

CE Credits: 6

Methods: Pre-test, study guide, posttest and evaluation, internet sources via URLs, Q&A by email.

CE Broker#: 20-28630

Content Areas:  Domestic violence, Abuse, and trauma, Group dynamics, Professional orientation, Client/family and community, Behavior disorders, Special populations.

Purpose: This study is intended to provide the methodology and materials for qualified mental health and behavioral health professionals to implement the evidence-based approach in anger management groups.

Target Audience:  Social workers, marriage and family therapists, licensed professional counselors, mental health counselors, nurses, employee assistance professionals, addiction professionals, behavioral health technicians, and other allied health professionals.