Counsellor/Therapist, BSc and FdSc Person Centred Counselling. MBACP
Experiencing anger can be a normal healthy emotion. But it can cause problems if it becomes a default emotion or, the opposite, an emotion that is completely withheld and unexpressed.
Anger can cloud your ability to think clearly, make you act impulsively, make you physically or verbally aggressive and violent towards people or make you distance yourself from others. It can affect you, your family, personal and professional relationships.
Therapy can help with anger as it gives you a place where you won’t be judged and where you can express yourself fully. We would look at links and possible triggers, explore healthy ways to manage anger and find ways to overcome the default of overwhelming emotion, helping you experience life in a healthier way.
I have attended anger management training and have worked with clients facing challenges around managing anger and emotions for nearly 15 years. Some of the work includes recognising and understanding anger, identifying triggers, developing coping techniques, reducing anger. Clients also have the opportunity to learn how mindfulness and meditation can help too.
Anger management often shows itself as frustration with lack of control over external circumstances as well as passing on pressures from others. My go-to on this is coaching based on Stoicism, particularly applying insights from Marcus Aurelius (e.g: "the consequences of anger often exceed the causes of it") and Seneca, who reminds us that emotional responses are rarely rational.