Methods Of Anger Management: Part V
(This is an excerpt from a University Of Metaphysical Sciences course at www.umsonline.org,
please feel free to visit the school website)
Dr. Albert Ellis, the founder of the Institute For Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy, writes, “Although numerous books exist today which tell us how to deal with anger, none of them seems to work effectively and efficiently in all situations.” Though Dr. Ellis is undoubtedly biased in favor of his own approach, the core of his sentiment is true. There are hundreds of books on Anger and Anger Management in publication at the present time. Some are written by noted and practicing research professionals, and very few are written by medical specialists. Most are written by laymen and pop, psuedo-psychologists, and these are just the published books. The internet alone will yield hundreds of results on Anger Management. Many, web pages offer advice and insights of questionable and even suspect value with no clue as to the host’s credentials or identity other than a name like, “The Helpman” or “The Anger Doctor.” As might be expected, even though one might surprisingly yield a nugget or two, expect the richer yield from those who practice in the field.
With such a wide offering it is difficult to classify and organize methods or approaches into particular schools of thought. Apart from books there are numerous coaches and classes on anger management proliferating the market. One company, Anderson & Anderson, has in a relatively brief time become “the first global anger management training provider,” with “certified anger management facilitators in the U.S., Canada, Guam, South Africa, Bermuda, Mexico, Ireland, England, the Philippines, and Italy.” The market for anger management is obviously large and there are no standards or controls, despite Anderson & Anderson’s claim of “certified anger management facilitators.” Anna Gorman reported in the Los Angeles Times (02/08/03) that judges are “…increasingly using such programs… Anger management classes, however, are not certified or monitored by state or local agencies. …In fact, some teachers have no training at all.”
While big players like Anderson & Anderson and the Sedona Method are long on promises and testimonials and short on specifics (unless you pay for the Seminars or Video Course), it seems most programs share some basic principles of psychology: understanding, identifying and learning to control angry emotions. They may employ relaxation techniques, as well, or may not. The effectiveness of such help is disputed by no less than the APA (American Psychiatric Association), who refuses to take an official position. “We don’t really know enough about what type of anger management program is best.” (www.andersonservices/com/ resourcenews-1.html). “There are as many ways to approach [anger management] as there are people, and it’s created a lot of confusing, even bizarre methods that can’t be taken seriously,” says W. Doyle Gentry, clinical psychologist and director of the Institute for Anger Free Living in Lynchburg, VA.
Also, there must be the recognition that despite whatever methodology is used, that habitual, chronic or toxic anger and/or rage is a behavior that is learned and reinforced over years of exercising negative patterns. A few hours in a class, a couple of weeks in a program, or even reading a few books is not going to change the behavior, especially if the subject is going to return to an environment where the patterns and relationships have already formed.
Other issues that must be recognized in pursuing these methods are:
1) The severity of the anger problem itself, and 2) the subject’s own desire to seek help. A subject who has experienced high levels of anger over a lengthy period of time may manifest such problems as daily eruptions, severe emotional and physical outbursts, excessive drinking or drug use, and a general inability to maintain normal relationships and daily living. This person would obviously best be served by a combination of techniques, including the integration and counsel of a trained mental health professional. In fact, most writers specifically caution that these patients should not be and, most likely could not be, helped except under supervision from a professional. The ideas and exercises “may be harmful to them and to those around them.” (Lee, 1993). Lee also goes so far as to specifically disqualify anger management as an unsafe option for psychotics, batterers (who vent their rage at people physically, and have an inability to self-reflect), and any patient who has a substance abuse problem, as they are, “…altering their minds and moods in ways that make it difficult for them to know reality…” Less severe cases will, of course, benefit from these techniques and may not require a different level of care.
A subject who has been court ordered to attend Anger Management counseling for an outburst over a traffic violation, or attends under pressure from a partner or relative, will almost certainly be less responsive than the subject who recognizes the need for help and voluntarily seeks it out. They have already begun the process by arriving at a point of responsibility for their experience and actions.
With these caveats and explanations in place, what follows is an illustration of the most prominent and prevailing methods of anger management. They are roughly broken into categories; however, they should not be considered mutually exclusive. In fact, Ellis recommends a blend of all pursuits but one—venting. And certainly, if one keeps in mind the overall goal of breaking the habit of an emotive reaction to enlist the logical thinking processes of a rational mind, the effect should be one of providing a mix of useful approaches that may integrate with and reinforce one another.
The categories selected are not necessarily part of the jargon of current anger management styles, but rather groupings based upon what seems to be their predominant approach, identity or “selling point” of appeal in communicating to the masses.