Letter To Professional Sports Associations

An Open Letter To All Professional Sports Associations

Frequent incidents of violence in organized sports tend to mirror the occurrences of violence in our society in general. It is clear that the NFL, NBA, National Hockey League and all other professional sports associations are committed to provide assistance to athletes who exhibit problems in managing anger. In almost every incident of public displays of inappropriate aggression by professional athletes, action has been taken by the team and/or the league manager.
Unfortunately, there is a natural societal tendency to assume that Doctors (MDs, PhDs) can provide the answer to any behavior with is considered unacceptable. In the case of the Indiana Pacers’ Ron Attest, he was referred to a Psychiatrist for “anger management”. After an examination by a doctor, he is reported to have been given a prescription for antidepressant medication which he promptly refused. It was later reported that he had received anger management treatment which did not work. Since anger is neither a mental illness nor emotional problem, doctors are not trained to assess or offer help to persons with problems managing anger. In fact, the American Psychiatric Association has publicly disclosed that anger is not a pathological condition and is therefore not listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Nervous or Mental Disorders. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that this physician was any more knowledgeable about anger management than the lay public.
According to the American Association of Anger Management Providers, anger is a normal human emotion. Anger is a problem when it is too intense, last too long, occurs too frequently, is harmful to self of others or leads to aggression. It seems clear that Ron Attest does exhibit problems managing anger. However, the most appropriate referral would have been to a professionally trained Anger Management Provider. Certified Anger Management Providers are trained to administer an assessment at intake which determines the participants’ level of functioning in four areas, how one manages anger, stress, communication and emotional intelligence. A fifth category is motivation to change. Following such assessment, the client is given a workbook and attends classes to teach skills in the areas mentioned above. At the end of this training which can be provided on an individual or group basis, a post test is given to determine the success of the training.
Anger management is a new area of specialization which is not well known by the general public. For more information about anger management, please visit the website of the American Association of Anger Management Providers at http://www.aaamp.org/ and http://www.andersonservices.com/ .

My Intership at Anderson & Anderson

I am a Psychology major at CSULA. I signed up for an internship with Anderson & Anderson without any real knowledge of the field of Anger Management. As part of my intership, I have been able to sit in on George's facilitator training courses as well as some of the trainings themselves.

The possibilities for the use of Anger Management trainings are endless and the seminars are extremely insightful. In taking the assessments, I learned some surprising things about myself and realized that the courses could be beneficial for anyone.

I'm not certain of the direction my career will take, but I can see that Anger Management training can be incorporated into virtually any aspect of social and psychological services for both adults and adolescents. It's an exciting field with boundless possibilities. Thanks George!

Melanie Nicholson

When Black Friday Comes…

Those familiar with the works of the sublime Steely Dan will recognize the title “When Black Friday Comes” as one of their songs, well it now has a more sinister meaning following the events of Friday, 25the November 2005.
After Road Rage and Air Rage there now follows ‘Sales Rage’ –as ever-eager shoppers stood in line through the night in pursuit of the ultimate bargain.
At stores throughout the United States, staff labored for many hours so that the locust-like consumers in a matter of minutes could strip the shelves bare!
As with many instances of anger, most people standing in line had unrealistic expectations as to which products would be available once they reached the promised land of the shop floor. Blanket advertising campaigns in the days leading up to Black Friday promised laptops, HDTV’s, DVD players and many other such necessities of modern life at knockdown prices.
With opening times fast approaching (5 a.m. in many places) the shoppers became anxious and disorderly, the concertina effect was in full operation, and badly-managed lines were breached by late-comers determined not to miss out on the sale of the century.
Unsurprisingly, this enraged the patient masses, some of which had waited out in the cold for almost five hours in order to purchase their chosen items. The situation was exacerbated by the conditions in which the shoppers found themselves, many of whom were sleep-deprived, hungry, cold and anxious.
But there was no obvious target at which the well-mannered shoppers could vent their anger –except those in front of them. So the great push started and this provoked a negative reaction from those who were closer to the front (who were being slowly but surely crushed).
By the time the doors opened at 5a.m. the condition of the line could reasonably be described as ‘organized chaos’, with the only orderly area being at the point of entry to the store –where several burly security guards drank coffee and joked amongst themselves (this only added to the ire of the patient masses).
Once inside the store, many of the shoppers found that they were again subjected to a free for all as many of the offer items could only be obtained from a small window on the third floor –which again produced impolite behavior and potential for rage.
For those folks unlucky enough to have been close to the front of the line and to come out of the endurance test empty-handed, there was no obvious place for them to vent their spleen. The nearest target for them now was the store staff –many of which were rushed off their feet with manic shoppers buying at a furious pace –which meant that they couldn’t give the frustrated shoppers any time or attention. This only added to their anger, which was now at boiling point!
Undoubtedly, this scenario will have been replicated throughout the country, with frustrated shoppers leaving stores full of anger and stress –which will have been passed on to family members, friends and other motorists!
What was the source of all this anger? Unrealistic expectations? or the attempts to control others’ behavior? Perhaps both, but whatever the cause, it seems that Sales Rage is here to stay.

Sean Coffey, Hon. Psy., CAMF
London based Anderson & Anderson Affiliate

Introductory Anger Management Classes

In an effort to inform the curious public of the merits of anger management, the British Association of Anger Management pioneered in offering "Introductory Anger Management Classes". Similar classes are now being offered by members of the American Association of Anger Management Providers in California.

Anger is something we do not manage very well. Instead, we often permit our anger to control us, and we sometimes use it to control others. Getting angry causes us to hurt the ones we love - wife, husband, children and friends, or maybe even people we work with. We do not stop to look at what comes before our anger, which is often hurt, stress, anxiety, depression or dissappointment. We get angry and upset without thinking. We often feel guilty. And then we look for a way to cool down. Not knowing how to manage anger causes it to grow, intensify and spread to anyone or anything that gets in the way. Anger often leads to aggression.
• Does anger solve or reduce the stresses in your life?
• Does it create further anxiety, pain and hurt?
• What is it going to take to manage and control yours and other people’s anger?
• What’s the source of your anger and how to recognise it?
• Who are you really angry with?
• What safe ways can I express my anger without others getting hurt or frightened?

Introductory Anger Management Classes should begin with the Conover Anger Management Assessment. This will give you a baseline relative to your level of functioning in manageing anger, stress, communication and emotional intelligence.

Following feedback to the participants regarding their assessment, the three hour introductory class includes a summary of the client workbook and overview of what is covered in a ten or twenty session anger management class.
These classes are generally limited to ten participants which may include couples, famalies, teens and adults. They are generally held on Saturdays.
To find a provider in your community, visit the American Association of Anger Management Providers at www.aaamp.org or the Anderson & Anderson provider list at www.andersonservices.com .

George Anderson, MSW, BCD, CEAP
Diplomate, American Association of Anger Management

Managing Anger In The Workplace

Help Employees Manage Anger for a More Productive Workplace

by Jeffrey Moses
Anger in the workplace comes in many forms and degrees. It can be as mild as unspoken resentment against a co-worker or manager, and as overt as verbal or physical abuse of fellow employees. When advancing to the point of disrupting work or making the work environment unpleasant, anger among individuals in a company needs to be recognized and managed.The two key words in the preceding sentence are 'recognized' and 'managed.' It's vital for owners and supervisors to recognize signs of anger in all forms. In particular, it's important to know when anger is proceeding beyond a normal stage of frustration. Most psychologists agree that anger is a natural and inevitable human emotion. When the expression and self-understanding of anger is not properly handled, however, anger becomes potentially disruptive and counterproductive to individuals and the company as a whole.Supervisors should be on the lookout for signs of resentment, frustration and overt antagonism among employees. Signs of anger include: arguments or physical confrontation among employees (often instigated by one employee in particular); employees who 'get back' at others by undermining their activities (often without telling others of their anger); employees who criticize others constantly; and employees who become surly, spiteful, irritable or withdrawn.When an employee is overly angry or aggressive, supervisors should meet with the individual and try to find out what is the cause of frustration. Unexpressed and uncontrolled anger can result in difficulties between employees, disruption of workflow and health problems within the individuals harboring angry feelings. When appropriate, professional counseling may be suggested. Be sure to examine the stated reasons of an employee's anger. It's unreasonable to think that all employee anger is unfounded and illogical. Managers should examine situations and employee relations within the company to determine if sources of anger are indications that real problems exist and that changes truly need to be made. Once the source of anger is recognized, the anger can be managed. Steps to follow include:1. Becoming aware that the outer sources of anger often cannot be changed, but that internal attitudes that lead to buildup of anger can be changed.2. Working with professionals to handle feelings that lead to inappropriate expressions of anger or to internal feelings of increasing anger. These include therapy, relaxation techniques, meditation and other proven ways to defuse internal feelings of anger.3. Learning appropriate ways to express anger or feelings of dissatisfaction to others. 4. Taking all possible steps to restructure situations that are leading to anger. As mentioned previously, sometimes anger indicates that real changes need to be made in the work environment.5. Consciously avoiding individuals or activities that lead to anger. While this is not often practical, a person should avoid all unnecessary encounters or situations that lead to unreasonable anger.

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Certified Anger Management Providers

In order to protect the public from fraudulent anger management providers, I am enclosing the Certified Provider List which is used in all
Superior Courts in Los Angeles County. Anyone who interested in receiving an assessment for anger, stress, communication and/or emotional intelligence can contact any of these providers. All providers accept volunteer, court and company referrals.


ANDERSON & ANDERSON
CERTIFIED ANGER MANAGEMENT PROVIDERS
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
January 2006

There are no state laws that regulate anger management. Neither the LA County Probation Department nor any other agency is involved in certifying anger management programs. The list of probation-approved batterers’ intervention programs is solely for domestic violence perpetrators. Domestic violence programs are inappropriate for addressing issues of anger management in non-intimate relationships. Therefore, as a nationally recognized leader in providing interventions, resources, and provider certifications in anger management, Anderson & Anderson has compiled a list of programs currently using the Conover Assessment and “Gaining Control of Ourselves”, a widely recognized anger management workbook. A complimentary copy of this publication in English or Spanish will be provided upon request to any officer of the court. For additional information, please contact Anderson & Anderson at 310. 207. 3591 or www.andersonservices.com.


Alhambra
Alhambra Counseling and Hypnosis Center, 1000 So. Fremont Ave, #1111, Unit 55, 91803; 626-308-9784; evenings, weekend

Beverly Hills
Karen Golob Anger Management Services, 152 S. Lasky Drive #208; 310-276-1342; individual sessions only

Brentwood
Anderson & Anderson, 12301 Wilshire Blvd. #418; 310. 207. 3591;
e-mail georgeanderson@aol.com; website: www.andersonservices.com ; www.angertrends.blogspot.com , www.andersonservices.com/blog groups or executive coaching; days, evenings, Saturday, accelerated classes

Canoga Park
1AAA Family Harmony—Armonia Familiar, 20128 Roscoe Blvd, inside Days Inn; 91404; 818. 787. 7878; English & Spanish, weekdays, evenings

Carson
Human Potential Consultants, LLC; 454 E. Carson Plaza Drive, Suite 102, Carson, CA 90746 ;( 310) 756-1560; Email: carson@hpcemployment.org ; Website: www.hpcemployment.org

Commerce
Management Solutions Group, 972 Goodrich Blvd, 2nd Floor, 90022; 323-721-8617; e-mail tmsg@azteca.net; English & Spanish; adult & adolescent

Compton
Compton Adult School, 1104 148th St; 90220; 310-898-6470; low fee & indigent clients; days, evenings

Covina
The Family Center, 560 S. San Jose Ave, 91723; 626-967-5103; e-mail familycenter@CIFHS.org; English & Spanish; weekdays, Saturday

Culver City
1AAA Family Harmony—Armonia Familiar, 4240 Overland Ave; 310-.837.1818; English & Spanish; days, evenings, weekends
Sam Bradley; New Possibilities, Anger Management Program; 6167 Bristol Pkwy., STE: 260 Culver City, CA 90240; 323.819.1998; Email: NPAManagement@aol.com

Eagle Rock
A-DAPT, 2401 Colorado Blvd. #100; 818. 621.4700; adult & adolescent; days, evenings

East Los Angeles
1AAA Family Harmony—Armonia Familiar, 2334 Cesar Chavez Ave. 2nd Fl. #203, 90033; 323.873.3113; Espanol; tardes, noches

Gardena
Daybreak Counseling Service-West; 1117 Gardena Blvd. #206 Gardena, California 90247; 310-995-1202; website: www.daybreakservices.com; Evenings and Weekends, Adolescents and Adults

Glendale
Adapt-Aware Zone Inc; 143 S. Glendale Ave. #103; 818-243-2746; English & Spanish, Group and Private
New Visions, 221-B So. Glendale Ave, 91205, 818. 241. 9226; e-mail merna@dynamicnewvisions.us; adult & adolescent; evenings, weekends
Right On Programs, 522 E. Broadway #101; 818. 240. 1683; e-mail reprograms@aol.com ; website www.rightonprograms.org; low fee & indigent clients; evenings

Hollywood
1AAA Family Harmony—Armonia Familiar, 4628 Hollywood Blvd, 323. 873. 3113; English & Spanish; days, evenings

Inglewood
Human Potential Consultants, LLC; 101 N. La Brea Ave., Suite 307 Inglewood, CA 90301 ;( 310) 674-4024; email: inglewood@hpcemployment.org; website: www.hpcemployment.org

Lakewood
Positive Steps Inc., 5230 N. Clark #18, 90712; 562-804-2700; low fee & indigent clients; evenings, weekends

Lancaster
Antelope Valley Youth & Family Services, 44815 Fig Ave. #101; 93534; 661-949-1069; e-mail jgonzales@avcadd.org; website www.avys.av.org ; English & Spanish; adults only; low fee & indigent clients; evenings, weekends


La Puente
Hope & Grace Recovery Services; 1840 N. Hacienda Blvd, STE: 13 La Puente, CA 91744; 626-918-7636;888-991-HOPE; Website: www.hopengrace.org/; Low fee & indigent clients, youth and adult, and couples, English/Spanish, evenings & Saturday am/pm., Executive Coaching, Corporate Training.
Transitional Living Consultants; 44709 N. Date Ave; 661-726-7881; Website: www.colbertwilliams.com; Email: cbwsr@gte.net; Adolescents & adults, evenings & weekends

Lawndale
Anderson & Anderson, 15675 Hawthorne Blvd. Suite H; 310-679-8310 e-mail georgeanderson@aol.com; website http://www.andersonservices.com; English & Spanish; days, evenings, Saturday, Sunday

Long Beach
City of Long Beach Health and Human Services Dept. 2525 Grand Ave. #210, 90815; 562-570-4100; low fee & indigent clients
Pacific Resources, 4201 Long Beach Blvd. #230, 90807; 800-984-4414; e-mail drtony@angercoach.com; website www.angercoach.com; adult & adolescent
Steven Lloyd, 3570 Atlantic Ave. Ste., 562-233-5399; evenings, weekends
The Center for Wholesome Living, 4401 Atlantic Avenue, Ste. 200, 90807, 562-984-2038, e-mail, sbliving@hotmail.com, website: www.camft.org/therapists/LisaSpendlove
The Vista Group, 55 Atherton St. #227-A, 90815; 562.810.2740 English; 310.714.9193 Espanol; English & Spanish; adult, adolescent, couples; executive coaching

Los Angeles
Alcohol & Drug Behavior Center C.M. Inc; Anger Management and Parenting; 8721 South Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90003; Telephone: 714-719-7004
Barrio Action Youth & Family Center; 4970 Huntington Dr., South, Los Angeles, CA 90022.
The Children's Collective, Inc.; 3655 S. Grand Ave. Suite 210, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Coalition of Mental Health Professionals, Inc; 9130 S. Figueroa St., Suite. 100, Los Angeles, CA 90003; 323-777-3120; Fax: 323-777-5968; Email: Sandilane4@aol.com
Keep It Under Control; 4828 S. Crenshaw Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90043; 323-290-3550; Wednesday-Friday Evenings, One-on-one and groups; Website: www.1kiuc.com; Email: runyoung@yahoo.com
Wings of Refuge; 5777 W. Century Blvd. #900, Los Angeles, CA 90045; 310-670-6767; Website: www.wingsofrefuge.org; Adults & Adolescents
SUTECH Counseling Services; 3427 Olympic Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90023; 323-262-3210; Email: Tony.Delfin@tonydelfin.com; Website: www.tonydelfin.com; Adults & Adolescents, English & Spanish, Weekends, Days, & Evenings

Panorama City
SUTECH Counseling Services; 8160 Van Nuys Blvd. Panorama City, CA 91602; 818-904-2700; Email: Tony.Delfin@tonydelfin.com; Website: www.tonydelfin.com; Adults & Adolescents, English & Spanish, Weekends, Days, & Evenings

Pasadena
Pasadena Recovery Center, 1181 North Raymond Ave, 91103; 626-345-9992; e-mail btobielee@yahoo.com; website http://www.pasadenarecoverycenter.com; adults only; evenings, weekends




Pomona

Mobile Anger Management; Pomona, CA 91767; (951)323-1419; Website: www.mobileangermanagement.com; Email:mobileangermanagement@yahoo.com; Adolescents & adults, English, Sliding scale, Evenings & Saturdays.

Redondo Beach
Diana Brennan Anger Management Services, 1719 Via El Prado #783; 310-316-8085; e-mail xtrdnry1@earthlink.net; website www.dianabrennan.com ; adult & adolescent; low fee & indigent clients; days, evenings, weekends

San Pedro
YWCA; 437 W. 9th. St; Telephone: 310-547-0831; Website: www.YWCAharbor.com; Email: YWFDM@yahoo.com; Adolescents only, low fee & indigent clients, days, evenings & weekends

Sherman Oaks
Anita Avedian, M.F.T., C.A.M.F., ABC Centers for Self-Improvement, Anger Management, 14429 Ventura Blvd. Suite 111, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423: 818-990-0999, e-mail abccenters@aol.com
Dr. Charles M. Litman, The Control Of Reactive Emotions Group, 4419 Van Nuys Blvd, Ste 405, 91403: 818 829-8565, e-mail doc4you@dslextreme.com : adult & adolescent

South Gate
1AAA Family Harmony—Armonia Familiar, 3424 Ardmore Ave, en Salon South Gate; 323.873.3113; Español; tardes, noches

Torrance
Anger Solution Inc., 2340 Plaza del Amo #215; 310-328-5800; 310-328-9000f. Site: www.angersolution.net; e-mail: loriemoore@angersolution.net adult & adolescent; low fee & indigent clients; days, evenings, Saturday, Sunday

Van Nuys
1AAA Family Harmony—Armonia Familiar, 6316 Van Nuys Blvd; 818.787.7878; English & Spanish; days, evenings, weekends
I – ADARP; 6740 Kester Ave. Suite 200, Van Nuys, CA 92405

West Covina
Márez and Associates, 1323 West Covina Parkway, Ste. D, 91790; 626.338.5175; English & Spanish; days, evenings, Saturday, Sunday

West Los Angeles
Laurie Brumfield, M.F.T., C.A.M.F., ABC Centers for Self-Improvement, Anger Management Programs, 10951 W. Pico Blvd. Suite 203 Los Angeles, CA 90064: 877-3-GROUPS e-mail: abccenters@aol.com

Wilmington
La Clinica del Pueblo, 1547 N. Avalon Blvd, 90744; 310-638-0100; English & Spanish; low fee & indigent clients; evenings, weekends

(Revised, January, 2006)

The Spirit is Willing...Motivation is an important issue in assessing and delivering Anger Management services. Many of our clients enter our classrooms motivated by the threat of legal action within the court system, others are motivated by the fear of losing a valued relationship and some by interest in self-improvement. Whatever the initial source of motivation, it is the task of the professioally trained anger management facilitator to help the client to accomplish a level of skill in stress management, anger management, communication or emotional intelligence to experience an initial success in a professional or personal relationship. Many individuals report having recognized a slight positive shift in behavior within the first 2-3 sessions. This initial success experience is crucial to the client's process of investing in the positive outcome of the training and in attaching his/her successful skill development to a sense of increased confidence, competence and self-worth.Recently, a client who had previously managed his staff through intimidation and fear, shared with the class that being referred for Anger Management was the best thing that had ever happened to him. Anger had been a obstacle, but the classes had allowed him to try out another way to be successful. In addition, he was beginning to receive feedback on his value as a leader and a role model, and not just as the boss of his crew.One of the biggest barriers for clients is in letting go of what has always "worked" for them. The components of the Anderson and anderson Anger Management model not only provides clients with effective tools for dealing with anger, but shows them a way of being with others that they had not dared to imagine was possible for them. It is this glimmer of hope that lifts our clients spirits and deepens their commitment and motivation to change.Dr. Phaizon R. Wood, CAMF

Q & A about Anger Management

Questions and Answers about Anger Management
Q & A with George Anderson of Anderson & Anderson


Q. What is anger management?
Anger management is an intervention which is designed to teach skills in improving communication, enhancing emotional intelligence, learning to manage anger and stress.

Q. How does this differ from counseling or psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is the treatment of mental and emotional disorders by psychological methods and/or psychotropic drugs. Psychotherapy is provided by Psychiatrists, Psychologists and Clinical Social Workers. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, 73% of all mental health services in the United States are provided by Clinical Social Workers.
Anger is a normal human emotion. It is not a mental or nervous disorder and is not listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental and Nervous Disorders. Therefore, counseling, psychotherapy nor medication is appropriate as an intervention.
Finally, anger management intervention is not taught in any of the training programs for psychiatrists, psychologists or clinical social workers.

Q. Are there standards for Professional Anger Management Providers?
Currently, there are no standards relative to the training or practice of anger management. However, one organization, the American Association of Anger Management Providers has come up with recommended standards which will be recommended nationwide.
Q. What are these standards?
It is recommended that all providers complete a core curriculum consisting on forty hours. In addition, each provider should have a minimum of 102 hours of supervised internship from a trained provider. Finally, all providers should be required to use the Conover Anger Management Assessment which has undergone 20 years of research and can be used as a before and after assessment instrument.
Q. Is there any evidence that your anger management model works?
A. Evidenced research is very important and is being demanded by funding sources. Currently, the Anderson & Anderson model of anger management intervention is being studied in probation, prisons and schools throughout the United States. The most comprehensive study to date was done with an entire state department of Children and Family Services. This study will be published shortly.
Q. Are most clients sentenced to anger management classes?
A. Actually, most clients are either volunteers or ordered to attend by their
Employers.
Q. How long is an anger management class?
It is the Court/Judge who determines the length of an anger management class. In Californian, the average lengths of time ordered by the courts are 26 sessions.
Businesses in California generally require a minimum of 10 sessions for the completion of an anger management course as well as Executive Coaching for management staff.

Q. Are anger management classes’ co-ed or gender specific?
There are no requirements for gender specific classes. Anger is not related to gender. However, most of the referrals are men.

Q. Are most participants in anger management courses criminals?
Most anger management participants are not referred by the courts. Rather, they are self referred. Those who come from the courts are convicted or plead guilty to misdemeanors or infractions. This means that there are no felons in general anger management classes.

Q. How can you find a professional anger management provider?
A. There are two national provider lists for anger management. The first and largest is listed at http://www.andersonservices.com/providersus.html, the second list from the American Association of Anger Management Providers can be found at http://www.aaamp.org/MemberDirectory/tabid/162/Default.aspx .

George Anderson, MSW, BCD
Diplomate, Anger Management Association of Anger Management Providers
Anderson & Anderson
Brentwood, CA. 90025
http://www.andersonservices.com/, www.andersonservices.com/blog, http://www.angertrends.blogspot.com/

Increase Your Practice Income

Increasing the Profitability of a Mental Health PracticeBecome Certified as an Anger Managment Providerby John Elder, MA, CAMF, Diplomate AAAMP
In this day of managed care and tightened budgets, becoming a certified anger management provider offers mental health professionals an opportunity to expand their practices and to generate additional income.
Most anger management students are mandated to take classes as a condition of probation, part of a plea bargain, or by their employer. Generally, these are people who would never have voluntarily sought mental health care. Their freedom and/or livelihood depends on completing a set of classes that certified anger management providers can offer them. These classes frequently result in more interest in psychological growth. Mental health providers can take advantage of this by becoming certified as anger management facilitators.
Frequently, anger management students become somewhat attached to their teachers. Once they have completed their mandated coursework, the opportunity for psychological counseling to address other issues arises. Offering anger management classes can thus help to expand a mental health practice.
In order to offer anger management classes and abide by ethics and regulations, mental health providers need to be specifically trained to offer anger management. Anger management is not psychotherapy, not group counseling—rather it is psycho-educational work that requires specific training in the field. Becoming a certified anger management facilitator is an excellent way to gain the appropriate training and expertise.
Recently, a well known anger management facilitator and trainer was brought into a legal case where the quality of his anger management work had been called into question. He demonstrated that he had been trained, certified, and was a Diplomate of the American Association of Anger Management Providers. This ended any questioning of the quality of his program, and discredited the accusing party who had received anger management from an unqualified provider.
Advertising anger management as a specialty can raise the visibility of a mental health provider. The community exposure that offering anger management classes provides also helps to market mental health professionals' practices. It provides an opportunity to speak as an expert on anger in the workplace, school, or family, thus offering free exposure. Short, introductory anger management workshops can be provided for people who aren't certain whether or not they need anger management.
© John Elder, MA, CAMF is an Anderson & Anderson Certified Anger Management Facilitator and trainer with a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology. He provides anger management classes at Anderson & Anderson's Brentwood locations as well as anger management certification training. John is a Diplomate of the American Association of Anger Management Providers.