Anger Management Classes
Have anger issues caused problems in your life? By joining our Anger Management Group you will learn practical tools to better manage your emotions and reduce impulsive reactions. In the Anger Management Classes you’ll gain insights from others’ experiences and discover healthier ways to express and channel your anger, all while building accountability and fostering personal growth.
Anger Management Group Therapy
February 6, 2025 – April 10, 2025
Thursdays | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Monroeville
This Anger Management group is inspired by the book Act on Life, Not on Anger, and offers a unique approach to managing anger based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Grounded in compassion and mindfulness, the group also draws from Internal Family Systems and Relational Life Therapy to explore how anger impacts relationships.
The group is led by Ron Freedman, LCSW, who has been providing counseling services since 1991, with extensive experience leading anger management classes across mental health clinics, military installations, and the Department of Veterans Affairs Readjustment Counseling Service.
Some of the key topics we’ll cover include:
- Understanding the consequences of uncontrolled anger issues
- Recognizing how we mismanage anger
- Exploring passive-aggressive anger
- Unpacking the cycle of rationalizing and justifying anger
- Discovering the purpose of anger
- Learning how to face anger without letting it control us
- Using calming activities like breathwork
- Breaking free from the anger trap with acceptance and humility
- Practicing mindfulness, acceptance, and compassion
- Taking timeouts as a tool for control
- Expressing genuine remorse to heal relationships
Join us in this supportive anger management group therapy to take control, manage your anger issues, and build healthier, more balanced relationships.
Anger Management Group Structure
The structure of the Anger Management group is designed to be flexible and open. Rather than following a strict weekly schedule, we will focus on the flow of the group and the needs of the members, allowing for a more fluid approach. Here’s the general idea of how it will work:
- Participatory: Everyone will have a chance to actively engage and contribute.
- Process-Oriented: The group will focus on processing experiences and feelings, with some helpful psycho-educational content provided by the leader and group members.
- Topical & Experiential: We’ll focus on specific topics each week, but there will also be room for hands-on activities and real-life examples.
- Sharing & Learning: You’ll have the chance to share your personal experiences—what’s working for you, what isn’t, and what you’ve learned from your “wins” and “challenges.”
The goal is for each group session to feel relevant, supportive, and adaptive to what the members are going through.
Our Anger Management Group Therapy will:
- Provide you with practical tools to help you manage anger
- Reduce impulsive reactions
- Improve your relationships
- Feel less alone by being surrounded by peers also dealing with anger
In the Anger Management Classes, you’ll learn:
- How to recognize the early signs of anger
- Proven techniques to calm your body and mind.
- Healthier ways to express yourself
- How to handle challenging situations without letting anger take control
Whether you’re looking to deepen your relationships or simply understand yourself better, this Anger Management Group is a great opportunity to start making meaningful changes.
Why Sign Up For Anger Management Classes?
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your anger issues, you’re not alone. In fact, A 2019 NPR-IBM Watson Health poll found that 84% of people believe Americans are angrier today compared to a generation ago and that poll was before the pandemic.
It’s important to note that anger is a natural emotional response that can range from mild frustration to intense fury, often triggered by real or imagined threats or provocations. Whether it’s a traffic jam or a stressful situation, how you interpret those triggers plays a huge role in how you react. Turned outward, anger becomes aggression that can lead to harmful outcomes like road rage, physical altercations, or even injury.
Anger can often feel overwhelming, and people simply want to get rid of it. There are two main types of strategies for anger management: one focuses on calming down (e.g., deep breathing, mindfulness, or meditation), while the other aims to release pent-up energy (e.g., punching a bag or engaging in vigorous exercise). According to a meta analytic review published in Clinical Psychology Review (Kjærvik & Bushman, 2024) calming activities are far more effective in reducing both anger and aggression than those aimed at increasing energy.
This finding can be explained by how our nervous system responds to different types of activities. Anger triggers the body’s fight-or-flight response, which elevates the stress hormone cortisol and activates the sympathetic nervous system. Calming activities like deep breathing and mindfulness help to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s relaxation response. These techniques counteract the body’s stress response by lowering heart rate, reducing muscle tension, and calming the mind, making them particularly effective at reducing anger.
In contrast, activities designed to release energy—like punching a bag, or running—may temporarily provide a sense of relief, but they don’t necessarily resolve the underlying emotional state. In fact, they can even keep the sympathetic nervous system engaged, prolonging feelings of tension and frustration. Instead of diminishing the emotional intensity of anger, they may reinforce it by focusing attention on the feeling itself.
Thus, the most effective approach for managing anger involves strategies that focus on lowering arousal and stress, creating a more peaceful internal state, rather than methods that might simply express or amplify the emotion.
Meet Your Facilitator for Anger Management Group Therapy
Anger Management Group FAQs
Q: Where will the Anger Management Classes be held?
A. The Anger Management Classes will be held in person at our Monroeville location.
Q: What Day and Time is the Anger Management Therapy Group?
A. The Anger Management Therapy Group will occur on Thursdays from 6:00 PM – 7:00PM.
Q: What dates does the Anger Management Therapy Group run?
A. The Anger Management Therapy Group will begin on Thursday, February 6 and conclude on Thursday, April 10.
Q: How many weeks does the Anger Management Therapy Group run?
A. The Anger Management Therapy Group runs for 10 weeks.
Q: Who is facilitating the Anger Management Group?
A. The Anger Management Group is led by Ron Freedman, LCSW, who has been providing counseling services since 1991. Ron has extensive experience leading anger management groups across mental health clinics, military installations, and the Department of Veterans Affairs Readjustment Counseling Service.
Q: Do you accept insurance for the Anger Management Group?
A. Yes, we accept Highmark BCBS, UPMC, United, Aetna, and Cigna.
Q: What is the self-pay fee for the Anger Management Group?
A. The self-pay fee is $50 per class.
Q: Can anyone join the Anger Management Group?
A. The Anger Management Group is open to men, women, and non-binary individuals. However, please note that those who are court-ordered to attend anger management are not eligible to join.
Q: Do I need to purchase the book ACT on Life Not on Anger?
Q: Do I have to be a current Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh client to join?
A. No, you do not need to be a client with us. However, to ensure the group is a good fit for you, an intake with Ron Freedman will be required. This will help us tailor the experience to best meet your needs.
Q: Do I have to attend all sessions or can I drop in?
A. You do not need to attend all sessions and can drop in after the group starts. PLEASE NOTE: You must get registered and have an intake with Ron Freedman, LCSW.
If you are interested in attending after the group begins on Thursday, February 6, call 412-322-2129 ext. 3.
Q: How do I sign up for the Anger Management Group?
A. Please email info@counselingwellnesspgh.com or call 412-322-2129 ext. 3 if you are interested in joining the Anger Management Group. You can also fill out the form at the bottom of this page.
To ensure the group is a great fit for you, an intake with Ron Freedman will be required. This will help us tailor the experience to best meet your needs.
Ready to Join Anger Management Group Therapy?
Please fill out the form below if you have any questions about our Anger Management Classes or are ready to get started! Our team is here to provide you with the information and support you need.
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