Our Services / Anger Management

What is anger management?

Anger management includes a broad range of skills that help you recognize the signs of anger and handle triggers in a positive way. Anger management does not mean bottling up your emotions or avoiding your feelings.

To effectively manage anger, you must first be able to identify this emotion at its early stages, before it gets out of control. Then, you can learn to express yourself in a calm and reasonable manner.

Without proper management, anger can negatively affect your relationships, potentially even leading to violent or otherwise dangerous behavior. Fortunately, coping with anger is a skill that almost anyone can learn, and the caring counselors at High Desert Psychological Services are here to help.

How can I apply anger management techniques to my life?

Anger management counseling at High Desert Psychological Services is customized to every patient’s unique situation. Generally, the following techniques help a lot of people learn to manage anger:

• Think before you speak
• Once you’re thinking clearly, express your anger in a nonconfrontational way
• Reduce stress with exercise, such as a run or brisk walk
• Give yourself a break to quiet your mind
• Identify possible solutions to resolve the issue
• Use “I” statements to describe the problem
• Don’t hold grudges
• Use humor to release tension
• Practice relaxation skills like yoga, deep breathing, or drawing
• Know when to seek professional help

If you try these techniques on your own and continue to struggle with angry outbursts, or if your anger seems uncontrollable, call High Desert Psychological Services.

When should I consider anger management therapy?

People come to High Desert Psychological Services for anger management counseling for many reasons. Signs that anger management therapy may be right for you include:

• Being in trouble with the law
• Threatening violence to people or property
• Physically assaulting a partner or child
• Breaking objects during an outburst
• Regularly getting into intense arguments
• Losing your temper while driving and becoming reckless

Anger issues often occur along with other mental health conditions, such as alcohol or drug addiction, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). High Desert Psychological Services provides comprehensive, patient-focused mental health care for individuals, couples, and families.

To get started with anger management therapy, call High Desert Psychological Services, or request an appointment online today.