While anger is a common feeling, this emotion only becomes an issue if expressed in unacceptable ways. Those who cannot healthily express their anger are encouraged to undergo counseling or therapy. It is a good decision to seek the right treatment before it’s too late.
One of the most highly recommended psychological treatment is anger management group therapy.
Related: How to Let Go of Anger: The Healthy Way
What Is Anger Management Group Therapy?
This type of psychotherapy aims to help people who easily get angry to determine probable situations that upset them. In group therapy, one or more mental health professionals lead a group of five to 15 patients, meeting every week for an hour or two.
Now, take a look at the following benefits of anger management group therapy in detail.
It Helps Establish A Good Support Network
The importance of anger management should not be underestimated. With group therapy, there’s a high possibility of members gaining new friends, which later becomes a support source. Being able to mingle with people who have the same struggle as yours can help you see that you’re not alone.
Take a look at some ways how to establish a good support network through this intervention:
- Therapists or counselors give your expert advice on available treatment options in your local community.
- Mental health professionals give you a list of referral groups, organizations, and other support groups you might want to join.
- Learn to spend your time helping your community instead of isolating yourself from others. This allows you to socialize.
- Connect with leaders, mentors, and healthcare professionals who can assist you with your problems.
Improve Socialization Skills
This treatment helps group members express their thoughts and emotions rather than shouting or yelling. Anger management group therapy is a therapist-mediated session. Through this, it allows you to practice your skills in a safe space.
You can improve your social skills through this anger management group therapy by:
- Being honest with the details of your story
- Showing your willingness to participate in discussions and reflections
- Expressing yourself without hesitation but still in an acceptable manner
- Trying new communications skills you have learned from previous sessions when dealing with other members, your family, friends, and acquaintances
Develop a Sense Of Responsibility
When you meet the group members, the first few sessions can be challenging. But as you get to know them, trust and concern strengthens your group, and you’ll eventually feel responsible for them.
Learn From Other People’s Experiences
One significant advantage of being in a group is that you learn from each other’s experiences. You might hesitate sharing your own story at first, but as days pass by, you’ll realize the importance of releasing your thoughts and emotions. Recovery happens when you open yourself up and express how you feel through your words. Through group sessions, it helps you to lighten up what you’ve been carrying inside for years.
You can share and gain insights from the experiences of everyone who joins the class, such as:
- What prompted them to seek treatment
- What were their uncontrolled symptoms before treatment
- How they are currently handling their angry outbursts
- What life changes did therapy or counseling do to them
- What healthy behaviors do they do when they feel angry
Prevent Progression Of Mental Illness
In a pilot group therapy study, individual and group therapy are both effective in treating anxiety and depression. It shows that therapies involving significant others, like spouses, parents, and therapists, increase the efficiency of anger management interventions.
Here are some ways to manage mental health issues through this treatment:
- Get assessed by a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist while sharing your experiences and ideas.
- You become more aware of what triggers an angry emotion.
- Learn different strategies to divert unpleasant behaviors to more productive activities.
- Learn how breathing exercises, meditation, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and other interventions can improve your life.
Become Happier
Due to the current situation, many people are unhappy and angry. The coronavirus pandemic caused businesses to close and an increase in death tolls. Loss of a loved one, unemployment, limited social activities, and uncertain economic conditions affect everyone’s mental health. If you felt a mental health decline because of the current situation you’re experiencing, you must seek help.
Anger management sessions are done online or face-to-face. You are not alone in this. Your unhealthy responses can be unlearned, and you can replace it with healthy behavior.
Related: 5 Ways to Develop a Positive Mindset That Lasts
Book a Session
Anger management group therapy can help alleviate your unhealthy behaviors. If you have anger issues and you’re looking for an effective way to handle it, you can book an appointment and talk to an online counselor.
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