Treatment Plan Overviews Anger

Part of our behavioral health resources, this is a broad overview of our treatment plan for the treatment of anger (see our Stress and Trauma page). Age- and gender-specific resources are available for adults and juveniles (males and females). For more information, feel free to contact us or fill out our phone consultation form.

• Major Goals
• 1. Increased understanding of PTSD (psychoeducation)
• 2. Identify and address the events and issues underlying PTSD
• 3. Correct irrational thinking which leads to PTSD and interpersonal problems
• 4. Effectively manage anxiety and stress
• See Also

Major Goals

This material addresses various sources of trauma.

1. Increased understanding of PTSD (psychoeducation)

Objectives/treatment focus:

• Develop vocabulary to describe PTSD feelings
• Identify cues and symptoms that he is experiencing PTSD (and similar symptoms of anxiety)
• Link those feelings to specific triggers and areas of vulnerability
• Develop a short-term action plan for dealing with PTSD
• Accept that his PTSD is causing him problems
• Link cues and symptoms of PTSD with triggers and with harmful coping behaviors

2. Identify and address the events and issues underlying PTSD

Objectives/treatment focus:

• Identify issues of PTSD from the past and resolve or let go
• Identify troublesome feelings and symptoms
• Address current symptoms
• intrusive thoughts (exposure therapy)
• flashbacks (exposure therapy)
• trauma-related fears, panic, and avoidance (exposure therapy, cognitive restructuring, and coping skills)
• numbing, detachment from others loss of interest in life (cognitive restructuring)
• irritability, angry outbursts (cognitive restructuring, coping skills)
• general anxiety (hyperarousal, exposure therapy)
• sleep disturbances (coping skills)
• difficulty concentrating (coping skills)
• Identify grief and loss issues; take initial steps toward managing grief
• Identify client symptoms and sources of guilt
• Reduce guilt, increase understanding of responsibility for the event
• Identify and addresses issues of: (1) isolation and avoidance; (2) effects of past abuse or trauma
• Identify symptoms and sources of hurt

3. Correct irrational thinking which leads to PTSD and interpersonal problems

Objectives/treatment focus:

• Identify and address specific areas of cognitive distortion (“Stinking thinking”): anxiety , guilt, survivor guilt, blaming self for being a victim (i.e. rape), catastrophizing: (just because someone is angry does not mean they are about to kill someone)
• Challenge irrational thoughts with reality
• Use positive thinking and self-talk for dealing with anticipated problems or when confronting stressors

4. Effectively manage anxiety and stress

Objectives/treatment focus:

• Learn coping techniques to reduce PTSD and prepare to handle future stressful situations (thought stopping, thought switching, creative visualization, progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, etc.); this is sometimes called “stress inoculation training”
• reduce risk of accidental exposure to specific triggers and stressors

See Also

The following pages may also be helpful:

Behavioral Health and Dual Diagnosis — specific behavioral health and dual diagnosis treatment planning and program resources for more than 20 DSM-IV diagnoses and issues, including anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, ADHD, etc. Behavioral health resources include counselors' tools, model treatment plans, and client workbooks. [more]

Anger/Aggression/Violence Resources — Aggression and Violence, an extensive workbook-based resource, and Managing Your Anger, based on individual skill-building lessons, support programs up to 120 hours in length. [more]

Phone Consultation Form — fill out this form if you are interested in purchasing our treatment programs. [more]