Anger Management and Counseling in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.

Anger is possibly one of the most naked emotions. It reveals some things about us that no other emotion is capable of doing. Anger is defined as "longing, hoping, wanting desiring, yearning, hoping." In counseling we explore the root of our longing and differentiate between true anger and toxic rage, which are entirely different emotions and experience.

Anger is such a common emotional response, and is so prevalent in this hurried, frustrating World in which we live. I often tell my clients "anger is not a stand-alone emotion, but is rather a secondary response to a deeper underlying frustration, or perceived lack of control." Our job then, is to get to the underlying emotion that is driving the anger, and deal with that. Recognizing your unique anger triggers is certainly a very important part of this process.

We help our clients to have greater understanding of themselves and their interactions with others to improve the quality of their relationships. We utilize mindfulness, self-exploration, and self-soothing techniques to help improve clients' emotional regulation skills. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, EMDR or ART, Trauma-Focused CBT, and Existential Therapy are especially helpful for healing trauma and improving interpersonal interactions with others.

As a culture, we do not do well with healthy expressions of anger. Often we are raised to suppress it and then we have limited practice at dealing with big emotion. There is a spectrum of healthy aggression- to keep us safe and to maintain boundaries- and rage- our body's strategy for safety. Anger management is about applying the right "dosing" to maintain boundaries yet not fracture relationships or suffer other losses. I am able to help you learn to regulate your body to be able to apply the appropriate "dose" to be effective and not destructive.

Many times anger is the only acceptable emotion, especially for men. Uncovering the feelings, emotions and frustrations that are behind that anger can completely change the dynamic. Let's work to understand what that anger is about and heal it. Decreasing anger can completely change your relationships and increase a sense of calmness and peace in your life. It is never too late to have a happy life.

Using an integrative approach, based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Assertiveness Training, and Interpersonal Psychology, I seek to understand, raise your consciousness, teach, role play, and develop healthy assertive communication skills and stress management skills. I employ empathy in my approach, trying to understand and raise your consciousness of the background, cognitive distortions, and emotional triggers which perpetuate your angry response. I also try to help you identify what sadness, difficulties with lack of control and uncertainty, and fears may be driving your angered response. I employ homework exercises and stress management development to help you reach these goals.

I have counseled many through anger management, helping them to overcome these issues on a spiritual, mental and practical wIt has been said that "anger is acid to relationships". Because anger can be so destructive - to self and others - it is vital to begin gaining freedom from destructive anger and bitterness. Ephesians 4:26 says to "be angry yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down of your anger." Not all anger is sinful...but that if we do not handle it appropriately, it can become very destructive. Forgiveness, letting go of anger, and addressing anger-producing issues are skills are skills that can be learned with the help of grace-oriented, biblical therapy

I often coach men on how to better regulate their emotions, including anger. I can teach you strategies from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, provide relationship insights from the Gottman Method, and help you practice calming strategies to take control back. You might have every right to be angry. But if it’s making things worse, it’s time for a change. At Lion Counseling, our mission is to help you escape the cages that hold you back and become the lion God created you to be.

Grey Matters International and the work of Kevin J. Fleming, Ph.D approaches issues of anger management in a very humane yet fresh perspective. You see, anger is a normal emotion but it is the valence (intensity) as well as the coupling choice of what one does with this that is the problem. Telling someone to "not" do it or modifying behavior with a trite psychological plan that only breeds a compliant response is not the way to change anger. Brainwave optimization is a new cutting edge technology that allows one to rewire circuitry responsible for reactivity driving the anger. Contact Grey Matters International, Inc now at kevin@kevinflemingphd.com or 877-606-6161.