DENIAL & MOTIVATION: BARRIERS TO ANGER MANAGEMENT

By Dr. Victoria D. Coleman

When I ask why they are seeking assistance, oftentimes clients who are present for anger management indicate that they came because of the strong recommendation, or, frequently, the ultimatum of a spouse, family member, friend, co-worker, or a court order. Many believe that they do not have a problem, and that it is someone else’s fault or responsibility for them being here. These clients are in denial, and this attitude can be a barrier to the process of anger management. Anger management requires change. Denial interferes with change.

Also, since change will not occur without motivation, it is essential that anger management facilitators determine how denial adversely impacts the level of motivation of their clients. Individuals change when there is motivation to change, and when they have a cursory understanding of who they are. Self-awareness is an integral component of the Anderson & Anderson anger management intervention program.

A comprehensive instrument that measures the level of the client’s motivation is the Anderson & Anderson Conover Assessment. The Conover Assessment is a tool that provides a simple, but reliable, Map of a client’s level of competence. In addition to measuring the client’s Change Orientation, the degree of motivation and readiness for change, the Conover Assessment identifies the level of functioning in Interpersonal Assertion, Interpersonal Aggression, Interpersonal Deference, Empathy, and Stress Management. All of these areas of competence are critical to the anger management educational process.

The Anderson & Anderson Model of Anger Management recommends a pre/post-test assessment of the six Conover categories. This assessment will provide invaluable information for the client and the facilitator, allowing a benchmark from which to teach anger management skills, and subsequently, determining the success of the anger management program.


Victoria D. Coleman, Ed.D., LPC, LCSW, LMFT, CAMF
President/CEO, The Coleman Group
California, Illinois, and Nevada
E-Mail: info@thecolemangroup.org
Website: www.thecolemangroup.org