Anger Management and Counseling in Westmont, IL.

Anger is a normal human emotion that we all experience. The way we express anger can be what distinguishes us as being healthy or unhealthy partners, parents, co-workers, employees or managers. Anger is generally a surface emotion. Beneath it lies another strong emotion, usually sadness, hurt, fear or inadequacy. In our efforts to protect ourselves from being vulnerable we often act out in anger, which generally takes us farther away from our true goals. In my work with you I will help you understand your anger in a different way and provide you with techniques and coping skills to manage this strong emotion moving you closer to your ultimate goals and strengthening your relationships.

As a society we tell people they shouldn't be angry. But anger is a hard-wired emotion that's part of our physical and emotional make-up. What we do with that anger however is another thing altogether. Many people with anger management issues, or people who feel overwhelmed or engulf by their anger, come to therapy feeling lost as to how to handle what they are experiencing and regret the aftermath of their "anger management." I will help you understand the deeper meanings and anchors to your anger so that instead of fearing it, mis-using it, or snuffing it out with addiction, you will be able to process and understand it in a healthy manner.

In dealing with anger management, I do not simply try to focus on counting to 10 and other superficial control mechanisms. Instead, I try to help the individual to learn to deal more effectively with the underlying causes of the anger. Anger is a defensive response to perceived threat. Thus, I help the individual to uncover, recognize and deal more effectively with the perceived threat - perceived loss of love and respect from a loved one is the most common threat. We all feel hurt when we perceive that our loved one feels or thinks less of us.

Anger is the hardest emotion for others to forgive and causes the most damage to your relationships. Aggression, whether physical, verbal, or emotional, destroys trust and robs those around you of their feeling of safety. Having a lack of self-control over your emotional reactions causes the need for constant apologies and the need to rapair your relationships. Others stop being emotionall honest with you out of fear of your reaction.