Anger Management
Your Path to Emotional Freedom
✔ Standard 55-minute sessions
✔ Private, comfortable office or therapy room
✔ Options for weekly, multiple times per week, or monthly sessions
✔ We adjust meeting frequency based on your progress and evolving needs
Inspiring
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Committed
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Growing
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Caring
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Inspiring 〜 Committed 〜 Growing 〜 Caring 〜
At South Hills Counseling, we believe anger management therapy offers a powerful opportunity for meaningful change and emotional regulation.
Our approach creates a comfortable, supportive atmosphere where you can explore triggers, discover patterns, and develop strategies that promote lasting control and growth.
We tailor our therapeutic methods to your unique needs, helping you transform reactive anger into thoughtful responses and establish healthier ways of expressing emotions.
SESSION ENVIRONMENT
✔ Relaxed, welcoming space with comfortable seating
✔ Conversations that are structured yet adaptable to your specific needs
✔ Complete confidentiality, with clear explanation of legal exceptions
✔ Practical skill-building exercises to reinforce anger management techniques
Goals of Anger Management Therapy
Anger Management Therapy at South Hills Counseling addresses your specific concerns and aspirations.
Personalized Objectives
Learning to identify anger triggers and early warning signs
Developing immediate de-escalation techniques to prevent outbursts
Restructuring irrational thought patterns that fuel anger responses
Understanding power dynamics in relationships and communication
Building respectful interaction styles based on equality and mutual respect
Practicing and maintaining new skills for long-term success
Growth-Oriented Goals
Our therapy goes beyond simply controlling anger to foster comprehensive emotional development:
Focusing on emotional intelligence and self-awareness
Building sustainable coping mechanisms for long-term resilience
Enhancing communication skills and interpersonal effectiveness
Creating meaningful change that extends beyond therapy sessions
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
✔ Explosive anger and rage episodes
✔ Workplace anger management
✔ Anger in relationships and family systems
✔ Court-ordered anger management services
✔ Anger associated with trauma or PTSD
✔ Passive-aggressive communication patterns
✔ Anger as a symptom of depression or anxiety
Our Comprehensive Six Step Approach
Step 1
Learn to Identify Anger
During the first session, we will talk about how to recognize when you feel angry. Not all people are naturally able to identify the initial stages of anger such as common triggers, habitual thoughts, and physical sensations. You can learn to describe your pattern of anger and what it feels like.
This will help you to manage your behavior earlier and earlier so that the "snowball effect" of out-of-control anger does not occur. We will revisit this over the next several weeks to improve the skill.
Step 2
Learn Immediate Anger Management Strategies
Once you are aware of your feelings and the signs of anger, you can take action to prevent hurtful outbursts.
We will work together to develop a strategy that includes "taking a break", relaxation, breathing exercises, and other ways of de-escalating yourself.
Step 3
Discover & Restructure Irrational Angry Thoughts
Simply learning to stop yourself from escalating is important, but it won't lead to successful long-term anger management. People who only stop their behavior run the risk of bottling up strong feelings until they explode, so our next step is to explore the ways in which your thinking affects your feelings.
Sometimes when you get angry, the feeling is a signal that something in your life needs to change. When you encounter discrimination or injustice, for example, controlled and appropriately expressed anger can fuel a thought-out and wise response to help change attitudes and circumstances. However, many people with anger problems make incorrect assumptions about themselves, others, and their situations that lead to unnecessary anger.
Step 4
Learn About The Ways In Which You May Be Inappropriately Using Power & Control
Everyone has needs and wants, and meeting your needs and wants requires interaction with other people.
When someone uses anger to intimidate, coerce, or manipulate others, he or she is using power and control in inappropriate ways. You may be aware of this process, or you may be using intimidation unconsciously.
Either way, honestly exploring your use of power and control is necessary in order to move on to the next step, improving relationships.
Step 5
Learn Respectful Ways Of Relating To Others Based On Equality
Once we discover uses of power and control in relationships, we can work on new ways of meeting your needs, as well as the needs of those you care about. Long-lasting, satisfying relationships are based on respect and equality. This affects all areas of life, including family, friendships, romantic relationships, work relationships, even the way you handle finances.
This stage is both challenging and exciting as you learn ways of treating others that will ultimately lead to a much more successful, fulfilled and joyful life than using anger and intimidation.
Step 6
Practice The Skills You Have Learned
No one can go through this process without making mistakes. And progress is often a "two steps forward, one step back" experience.
Connecting with supportive groups, sharing your journey with loved ones, and receiving support and guidance from a professional therapist can help you maintain the progress you have made and get back on track when you slip up.
You may wish to continue therapy or set up periodic check-ins after gaining confidence.
MAXIMIZING YOUR THERAPY EXPERIENCE
Client Engagement Tips
Get the most from your therapeutic journey by actively engaging in the process. →
Commit to practicing new skills between sessions, openly discuss challenges, and maintain consistent attendance to build momentum. The most successful clients approach the process with honesty about their anger patterns and a willingness to examine uncomfortable emotions and thoughts.
At South Hills Counseling, we see anger management as a collaborative effort.
Your therapist provides guidance, structure, and support, but your active participation and practice are essential for creating lasting change. We work together to develop personalized strategies that address your specific anger triggers and patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Anger management can benefit anyone who finds their anger causing problems in their relationships, work, or daily functioning. If you've received feedback about your anger from others, experienced consequences from angry outbursts, or simply want better control of your emotional responses, this approach may be appropriate. During your initial consultation, we'll help determine if anger management aligns with your needs.
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Most clients attend weekly sessions for 3-6 months to work through the full six-step process. The exact duration depends on your specific challenges, commitment to practice, and progress. Some clients continue with less frequent maintenance sessions after completing the initial program to reinforce skills and prevent relapse.
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No, anger management is beneficial for anyone who wants to improve their emotional regulation. Our clients range from individuals with occasional angry outbursts to those with longstanding patterns of aggressive behavior. The skills learned in anger management are valuable life skills for managing a range of emotional responses.
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While some anger management programs are exclusively group-based, at South Hills Counseling, we offer both individual and group options. Many clients benefit from individual sessions, especially in the beginning stages. During your assessment, we'll discuss which format might work best for your specific situation.
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South Hills Counseling works with many insurance providers for anger management therapy. During your initial contact, we'll verify your coverage and explain any out-of-pocket costs. We also offer options for those without insurance coverage, including sliding scale fees based on financial need.
Ready to Begin Your Path to Emotional Control Today?
We look forward to supporting you on your journey toward healthier emotional expression, improved relationships, and enhanced well-being. We're committed to helping you find greater peace and control!