Do I Need An Anger Management Therapist?

Updated March 15, 2024by Regain Editorial Team

It happens to all of us. From the time we are born until the day we die. Anger is a natural response to a plethora of different stimuli, from external things like your neighbor’s dog tearing up your garden to internal anger issues like spending too much money on that new car. It can range from a little annoyance to a rage that sends you into a psychogenic fugue. We cannot stop ourselves from ever getting angry again, but we can control our anger issues. It is all about our ability to handle anger with anger management. Anger management is how you learn to recognize the signs that you are becoming mad and take some action to control it.

Anger management

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Anger is natural - but sometimes it can be hard to handle

Some of the most common anger management issues include anger that causes upset in your life you cannot control and anger management. Anger overwhelms you, like anger in relationships that causes issues with your partner, family, or friends. Anger may cost you your job if you cannot control your anger at work. Or if it causes you to miss work due to other consequences of your anger issues like being arrested. Yes, it happens. You may not understand how anger can take control of your life and ruin all of the good things you have worked your whole life to get.

Anger can take over

For example, maybe you worked for years to save up and get that new car, but you lose it in a fit of rage, kicking your door, punching the hood, or having an accident because you are too mad to see straight. Or maybe you finally got that promotion at work but ended up losing it and your job because you got angry at the employees you are supposed to be managing. Sometimes we cannot control our anger, but with proper counseling from anger management therapists, you would be surprised how much easier it is to deal with anger management techniques. Options for anger treatment can help.

Types of anger

Did you know there are different types of anger? Although anger management experts do not all agree on the number or types of anger, they agree that there is more than one. The most commonly mentioned include volatile, judgmental, self-inflicted, overwhelming, passive, and chronic anger. Anger management therapy can help with any of these and other anger issues.

  • Volatile anger

Volatile anger is a scary thing to experience for both you and everyone who witnesses it. It happens quickly and can start with something significant or just some small annoyance. Volatile anger is also known as extreme anger that occurs without warning. Some of the warning signs include violent outbursts such as screaming or throwing things, rage, difficulty organizing thoughts, and threatening or causing harm to others. It can also cause physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate, nausea, dizziness, chest pain, and headaches.

  • Judgmental anger

Do you find yourself judging others without meaning to? Maybe you feel like you are better than some people and are indifferent to others because you cannot be bothered by them. Judgmental anger is directed at other people and can come with intense feelings of resentment toward others. Signs of judgmental anger include thinking negatively of others, calling people names, feeling righteous, making others feel bad, and not feeling guilt or remorse for hurting others emotionally or physically.

  • Self-inflicted anger

Also known as self-abusive anger, this shame-based anger is dangerous. This is characterized as anger that is directed inwardly at yourself. Unfortunately, this type of anger can stay hidden inside for a long time until you finally explode. When this happens, you can end up turning your rage on the nearest person. Anger management can help with this.

  • Overwhelming anger

This type of anger takes over your life because you have too many demands or are feeling overwhelmed. You may feel like you cannot continue on your path and want to quit. It can be a work thing, a personal thing, or both. No matter what it is that is overwhelming you; it typically represents extreme anxiety, resentment towards others you perceive to have a more comfortable life, and all of the physical signs of anger like rapid heartbeat, headache, dizziness, nausea, and chest pains. Anger management treatment can help.

  • Passive anger

Passive anger is sometimes hard to notice because you may not even realize you are angry. You may keep your emotions inside to control these feelings, but anger usually comes out in other ways. For example, you may be sarcastic or mean to someone for no reason or just indifferent to them. You may also do things like being hostile to others, staying home from work or school, or alienating your friends and family to sabotage yourself. Taking anger management classes can be a big help.

  • Chronic anger

Just like the name says, chronic anger is prolonged or constant feelings of anger toward others. You may feel mad at everyone all the time but cannot figure out why. These feelings can last for months and get worse as time goes on. You may have bouts of road rage, physical violence, or get in trouble with the law because you are just angry at everyone all the time. This type of anger is often linked to other mental or emotional issues like borderline personality disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, or bipolar disorder.

Different types of anger management therapists

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Which type of mental health care professional you should get depends on your specific anger issues. However, it may not be until you have an intake with a therapist or even a few sessions until you understand which type of particular anger issue you have. There are many different kinds of anger management professionals, such as clinical psychologists, licensed professional counselors, family therapists, marriage counselors, or psychiatrists. It just depends on the best anger management therapists for your type of anger issues. Here are some of the different kinds of anger management specialists:

  • Clinical psychologist

A clinical psychologist is a psychologist with a doctoral degree in psychology. They are trained in making diagnoses as well as providing both individual and group therapy. A clinical psychologist can do any treatment that relates to anger management, including cognitive-behavioral therapy.

  • Licensed professional counselor

A licensed professional counselor has a master’s degree in counseling, psychology, or another field related to anger management. They are also trained to do individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. In addition, they are trained to diagnose some mental illnesses.

  • Family therapist

Family therapists have a master’s degree and are specially trained in family therapy, anger management, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Like others, they can provide individual, group, or couples therapy and diagnose some mental conditions.

  • Marriage counselor

Marriage counselors have a master’s degree with a special concentration in marital counseling education like a family therapist. They can also diagnose mental conditions and provide both individual and group counseling, such as couples therapy.

  • Other specialized therapists

There are other types of counselors and therapists that may help treat anger issues. Some practice sex therapy, play therapy, exposure therapy, art therapy, and anger management cognitive behavioral therapy.

  • Psychiatrist

Unlike all of the above mental health care professionals, the psychiatrist is an actual doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating emotional and mental illnesses. They are the only ones who can prescribe medication and provide medication management as well. However, they are not typically the ones to give counseling.

What kind of therapy do you need?

Once you choose a mental health care professional, they will help you figure out what kind of therapy or classes you need. There are many types of therapy, from anger management classes to anger management counseling or anger management therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is helpful in all anger types, and you can get this from any of the above professionals. Sometimes you do not choose what type of anger therapy you get because a judge orders your anger management. If you have been in trouble with the law more than once because of your anger, this can result in court-ordered therapy in the form of counseling, classes, or both. The type of anger management therapist you get may also be out of your hands if you are ordered to therapy.

Anger management classes

Anger management classes can also be referred to as domestic violence classes. However, if you feel threatened, you should seek help immediately by calling 911 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 800.799. SAFE (7233). These are often what the court will order if you have been in trouble for any violence against someone, such as your partner or other loved one. Classes are typically done in a group setting, either in a classroom or a meeting room, where a small group of people will talk about their experiences with anger management and what it has done to their lives. You will learn to understand how anger is controlling your life. This is usually run by a licensed professional therapist or a marriage or family counselor trained in couples therapy or family therapy.

Group therapy

Getty/Vadym Pastukh
Anger is natural - but sometimes it can be hard to handle

Group therapy anger management classes are centered on helping you acknowledge your problem and admit that it exists. Once you can do that, you will be able to begin talking about it with other people. Although all anger management therapists and counselors have their own techniques, their main objective is to help you find the source of your anger so you can take steps to deal with it.

Anger management counseling

Rather than taking anger management classes, you may choose individual psychotherapy with a mental health professional such as a licensed professional counselor. Family therapy or couples therapy can also be a big help. You can choose a clinical psychologist, licensed professional therapist or counselor, or other mental health professional. Although there are various anger management techniques that anger management therapists may use, many choose some form of cognitive-behavioral therapy for anger issues.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a highly effective tool for anger management and any emotional or mental health condition. This approach helps you find a way to deal with your anger by changing your behaviors, feelings, and thoughts. Learning to target your reactions to certain situations helps you figure out how to react in a better way. Most often, cognitive behavioral therapy takes about eight to 12 weeks and has several sub-treatments as well. Some of these include self-instructional training, dialectical behavioral therapy, and rational emotive behavior therapy.

Marriage and family therapy and counseling

You may also choose to see a marriage and family therapist, depending on what type of anger management issue you are going through due to your anger issues. Family therapy is best for any issue that affects your whole family, whether your spouse, partner, children or other loved ones. For therapy, marriage counseling is better for specific marital problems due to anger issues. Of course, you do not have to be married for this counseling. It is also known as couples counseling and can be used for couples who are not married.

Reaching out for help

No matter your anger issue, you need to find anger management therapists for your situation, whether you want individual psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or marriage counseling. The best anger management therapists for you depend on what type of counseling you need. To find anger management therapy easier, you can go to Regain.us and find online therapy with a mental health professional. All you have to do is answer a few questions, and they will find the best online anger management therapists for you and your situation to help with anger control. You do not need an appointment. In fact, you do not even have to leave your house. Reach out today so you can start feeling better tomorrow.

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