Anger Management

Taming The Beast

Does your temper sometimes get the better of you, straining your relationships with your spouse, children, or others? You’re not alone. Many people face challenges controlling intense emotions like anger or frustration, especially while juggling the demands of career, parenthood, and other responsibilities. At Bedrock Psychology Group, we want to help you get anger under control in a healthy, productive way. Through evidence-based techniques, we’ll help you get underneath the anger, manage your triggers, and upgrade your communication skills. You don’t have to do it alone and there is no shame in seeking anger management. Contact us for a free consultation and let us help you author the next chapter in your life and to channel your energy into a positive force.

The Impact of Unmanaged Anger

Unmanaged anger takes a heavy toll on our lives, affecting:

Physical Health: Chronic anger contributes to high blood pressure, heart problems, weakened immune response, and digestive issues.
Mental Health: Anger is linked to increased anxiety, depression, insomnia, and in severe cases, increased risk of self-harm.
Relationships: Anger outbursts can erode trust, create fear and resentment, and damage intimacy in both personal and professional relationships.
Work and Social Life: Difficulty controlling anger negatively impacts job performance, social interactions, and overall reputation.
Legal Consequences: Uncontrolled anger can lead to impulsive or violent acts with potential legal ramifications.

What Fuels Destructive Anger?

Several factors contribute to problematic anger expression:

Unresolved Past Hurts: Unaddressed traumas, neglect, or early experiences with anger can create unresolved patterns that get triggered in the present.
Stress and Overload: Chronic stress and a sense of overwhelm lower the threshold for anger outbursts.
Unmet Needs: Unmet emotional needs for respect, control, or safety can manifest as anger towards others.
Ineffective Communication Skills: Difficulty expressing feelings healthily can lead to frustration and anger buildup.
Thinking Traps: Rigid thinking, all-or-nothing beliefs, and a tendency to personalize situations can amplify anger responses.
Underlying Mental Health Conditions: Anger may be a symptom of underlying issues like anxiety, depression, or Bipolar Disorder.

How Bedrock Psychology Group Can Help

At Bedrock Psychology Group, we understand the complexity of anger. We provide a safe, non-judgmental space to explore the roots of your anger, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and learn effective ways to express your emotions without causing harm. Our services include:

Anger Management Therapy: Specialized individual therapy to identify your anger triggers, understand its impact on your life, and develop personalized anger management strategies.
Emotional Regulation Skills: We teach you how to recognize the physiological signs of escalating anger, practice calming techniques, and develop healthier emotional responses.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Restructure negative thought patterns that fuel anger, challenge distorted thinking, and practice more realistic and balanced responses to challenging situations. Studies show strong evidence of CBT’s effectiveness.
Assertiveness and Communication Skills: Learn to communicate your needs, boundaries, and frustrations in a firm but respectful manner, reducing the need for anger as a primary form of communication.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practices like deep breathing and meditation help calm the nervous system and increase self-awareness of triggers in the moment.
Psychodynamic Therapy: Unlocking the Past, Empowering the Present. This approach delves into your past experiences and unconscious patterns, revealing how they shape your current thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Together, we’ll uncover the roots of your difficulties, promoting self-understanding and fostering lasting change.

Our Approach

At Bedrock Psychology Group, we tailor our approach to your individual needs and the nature of your anger struggles. Our approach is:

Collaborative: We partner with you to understand your triggers and create a plan for healthier anger management that works for you.
Insight-Oriented: Our goal is not just to suppress anger but to understand its root causes and develop long-term tools for managing it.
Practical Skills: We provide concrete strategies and techniques you can implement immediately when you feel anger rising.
Compassionate & Supportive: We recognize that changing anger patterns is an ongoing journey, offering support and encouragement along the way.

Beyond Therapy: Managing Anger on Your Own

Alongside therapy, here are positive habits to support your anger management journey:

Recognize Your Triggers: Pay attention to situations, thoughts, or physical sensations that usually precede anger escalation.
Practice Self-Care: Prioritize sleep, exercise, and healthy nutrition as these significantly impact your emotional resilience.
Take A Timeout When Angry: Remove yourself from the triggering situation if possible, practice calming techniques to de-escalate.
Find Healthy Outlets: Physical activities like running or weightlifting can release pent-up frustration. Journaling or creative expression can also be helpful.
Communicate Assertively: When calm, express your needs and frustrations assertively without aggression or blame.
Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to lean on trusted friends, family, or seek professional help if you struggle to manage anger on your own.

Freedom from Anger’s Grip

While anger is a natural emotion, it doesn’t have to control you. With the right support and tools, it’s possible to break free from destructive anger patterns and cultivate healthier ways to navigate conflict and frustration.

Bedrock Psychology Group provides therapy and evaluation services to residents in and around Northbrook, Wilmette, Highland Park, Glencoe, Skokie, Glenview, and Northfield. We also provide telehealth services to a majority of the US. For a free brief phone consultation, please contact us here.