Saturday, June 10, 2017

Anger Management Counseling, Classes or Coaching


In contrast to mental health, anger management does not yet have the same level of legitimacy. It does not have a legally defined scope of practice nor a body of knowledge nor a theoretical foundation.  “Anger treatments’ success rates can be difficult to estimate because excessive, severe anger is not a recognized disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.”
In contrast to anger management, counseling, psychotherapy and psychiatric treatment are all defined in law in every state in the U.S. This legal sanction makes it possible for the public as well as licensed providers to understand and abide by the respective scope of practice for the clinician authorized to offer diagnoses and treatment of nervous and mental disorders.
Currently, anyone can offer anger management without training, experience or specific material. In addition to treating persons suffering from nervous and mental disorders, many clinicians offer “anger management counseling or treatment” in spite of the fact that there is no diagnosable disorder to treat. Some psychiatrists prescribe psychotropic medication for anger management based on some of the symptoms of severe anger.
Classes for anger management are now and have long been offered by probation officers, criminal justice staff, teachers and self-appointed anger management specialists. Few of these providers have any specialized training in teaching others how to recognize and manage anger or impulse control.
Individual coaching/skill enhancement for anger management was introduced as an intervention as the result of research in emotional intelligence. http://www.dummies.com/store/product/Emotional-Intelligence-For-Dummies.productCd-0470157321.html
Dr. Steven J. Stein, in his publication, Emotional Intelligence –For Dummies, in the chapter entitled Emotional Intelligence For Anger Management makes the following statement: “Hot emotions, such as anger and jealousy, tend to get you into trouble and can be difficult to manage and control. You can use emotional intelligence to turn hot emotions into cool emotions and calm yourself down . . .”
Self-Awareness – People with high emotional intelligence are usually very self- aware.
Self-Regulation – This is the ability to control emotions and impulses. Persons who self-regulate, generally don’t allow themselves to become too angry or jealous.
The research and publications by Dr. Stein and other emotional intelligence experts have lead to at least three published client workbooks and curricula specifically designed for individual coaching of young children, adolescents, adults as well as “disruptive physicians” based on emotional intelligence. In addition, the EQ-I-2.0 Assessment for youth and adults has proven to be an excellent instrument for Pre and Post Assessments for the populations mentioned above.
Emotional Intelligence Coaching is perceived as far more positive and appropriate than anger management classes, counseling or psychotherapy. Professionals such as physicians are reluctant to seek psychotherapy for anger. In addition, there is concern over being defined as angry since any such label that implies psychopathology can risk career derailment for physicians or executives.

Traditional anger management counseling includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and other clinical techniques to “treat” anger. Since anger is not considered a mental illness (DSM-5), there is no evidence that any of these interventions are appropriate.

In contrast to counseling or psychotherapy for anger management, emotional intelligence coaching includes a wide range of intra and interpersonal relationship competencies. Some of these skills are self-awareness, self-control, social awareness, relationship management, empathy assertive communication as well as flexibility and stress tolerance.

Major providers of coaching, training and continuing medical education for physicians are rapidly moving towards skill enhancement coaching in emotional intelligence for impulse control. EI coaching with pre and post assessments is evidenced based for each coaching client. Therefore its’ impact on interpersonal relationships are greatly enhanced. This is now the treatment of choice for “disruptive behavior”.
The latest publication is Grab The Wheel a curriculum for young children and their parents for explosive anger.
Emotional Intelligence Facilitator Certification for Anger Management is trending nationwide. Anderson & Anderson, APC is the leading proponent and trainer of providers who are interested in coaching for anger management.
George Anderson, MSW, BCD, CAMF, EQ-I-Assessment Professional
Bryan Anderson, MSW, LCSW, CAMF, EQ-I-Assessment Professional

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