When anger negatively affects your health, relationships, and work, anger management therapy can help. Anger management therapy teaches you how to stop using rage to express yourself. You also learn how anger adds to depression, violence, and suicidal feelings while making your loved ones feel at risk.
For people recovering from addiction, anger management therapy provides tools for healthier and happier days ahead. After all, it is essential that you know how to effectively handle your emotions using healthy tactics, instead of creating greater stress in your life using unhealthy ones.
You can find help with anger management through cognitive-behavioral therapy in some Tacoma substance abuse programs. For more information, call us at 855.478.3650.
Who Needs Anger Management Therapy?
Everyone has anger, but you need anger management classes when your anger dictates how you live your life. Not being reasonable or rational can cause many problems, such as abuse, violence, erratic behavior, legal problems, and substance abuse. So when you need stability in order to maintain your recovery, you also benefit from anger management therapy.
The goal of anger management therapy is to teach you how to control your anger, not the other person’s behavior. This is accomplished through many techniques that help you control angry impulses and reactions before they get out of hand.
If you do not know how to control your anger, you fear what it can do to your addiction recovery. Fear can lead you to suppress your true feelings. This only holds your emotions back until you experience major outbursts. Suppressed anger also affects your health.
In anger management therapy, you learn how to stop being over-reactive. You also learn how to be more patient and calm in circumstances you cannot control.
Almost anyone can benefit from anger management classes in some way. We can all use tools for handling our negative emotions in healthier ways. But for those who struggle with uncontrolled anger, these classes prove life-changing.
What Types of Therapy Does Anger Management Therapy Use?
Specific types of therapy work very well in anger management classes. One of the best methods is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps people learn to manage their emotions and change the patterns of thinking that may cause problems in relationships or at work. It can be used for individuals who struggle with personality disorders, depression, anxiety, anger management issues, addiction and substance abuse, and stress-related disorders such as insomnia.
In CBT, you learn the difference between positive and negative thinking. You can also learn how to change your behavior such as confrontations, yelling, and even violence to more appropriate responses. Medication is sometimes used with CBT for people who have other mental health issues that may affect their anger management treatment.
The cognitive part focuses on identifying the thinking patterns or beliefs that are creating problems in relationships or at work. There are various types of CBT, including rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT), cognitive therapy, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapies.
Goals of CBT therapy
- Coping with life stress in healthier ways
- Resolving relationship conflicts positively
- Dealing with grief effectively
- Handling emotional stress caused by physical trauma, illness, or abuse
- Overcoming physical symptoms like chronic pain and fatigue
CBT is a structured therapy that provides quick results. Even better, the results last throughout your lifetime and decrease your odds for relapse. CBT also focuses on your own specific problems and what triggers you to react with anger. You learn new strategies to help you deal with your personal triggers.
These strategies take you through several steps, starting with identifying what causes anger in your life. You build awareness of how you feel and think when triggered. Part of this awareness is acknowledging your inaccurate thought patterns and learning healthier ways of thinking.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is short term. Most CBT therapy programs last between 10 and 20 sessions. Of course, your exact time for treatment depends on your specific needs, such as how long you have been dealing with extreme anger.
Anger Management Therapy in Tacoma, Washington
Anger management is only one part of a complete rehab treatment program. To truly overcome addiction and lead a healthier and happier life, you need a mix of therapies. Besides anger management classes, these programs and therapies include:
- Extended care program and aftercare
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Trauma therapy
- Individual, group, and family therapy
- Yoga and mindfulness meditation
- Life skills training program
You can live the life you want without substance abuse or emotional problems. Learn more about Tacoma, Washington anger management therapy and other treatments used by Bayview Recovery to help you build a better future. Call Bayview Recovery now at 855.478.3650 to learn how and where this better life begins.
