Anger Management and Counseling in Arlington, VA.

We all get angry sometimes. Anger, like other emotions, is important. It signals to us that something is going on that we need to pay attention to. Chronic irritability, rage and/or violent outbursts also can be a sign that our nervous systems are stuck on high. If we don’t slow ourselves down, anger can take up a lot of space in our relationships and our lives. I work with people to help them recognize the triggers for their anger and what meaning this trigger holds for them. I also help people learn how to calm down their systems. In this way, people can express their feelings and needs in a way that leads to happier lives and better relationships.

Has your anger taken on a life of its own? We can help you find a way to put anger behind you that works. Anger that doesn't go away or flares up when it's not helpful is a sign that something inside you needs to shift. Like an earthquake, the ground at the surface moves unpredictably because of pressure built up somewhere hard to reach. You can learn an effective and respectful way to detect and decode your own seismic rumblings which will give you plenty of time to respond to difficult situations with many more options and many more choices. You'll be able to put your best self in the lead when it matters most. Call today or visit our website for free resources that may help you right away

I am a Certified Anger Management Specialist trained by the National Anger Management Association. I work with men and women who have difficulty controlling their anger and rage at home or at work. I can help you become aware of your anger triggers and teach you calming techniques and conflict resolution skills. I will also help you learn assertive communication skills. I work with men and women who are court-referred as well as with those who would like to work on these issues with a trained anger management specialist.

First I help the client to understand the purpose of their anger. There are usually feelings underneath, such as, hurt, sadness, feeling betrayed. Anger is a warning that something is wrong. We explore other ways to handle the issue without acting out the anger. Many people are impulsive and will need to change this habit to learn new ways to deal with their feelings. Groups can be very helpful. It is important to learn how acting out anger affects other people especially those you are close to.

I help clients develop strategies and techniques for managing intense anger or aggressive episodes. These techniques involve learning ways to “cool off” and validate underlying feelings so that they may be communicated more effectively. Generally speaking, difficulty with anger is typically the result of a person having difficulty regulating their emotions.Emotional Regulation is achieving a balanced emotional life where you are neither numbed out from your emotional experiences nor emotionally overwhelmed by them. Achieving emotional balance is done through both talk therapy as well as learning specific concrete strategies for managing your emotional experiences.

I have run anger management programs for many years. I have an eight week program to assist clients to experience and express their anger and other feelings in ways that are healing. I have also provided couples with ways to communicate their anger so they feel heard and better understood. Often times people are feeling sad or hurt but can only feel safe with the feeling of anger. I will give you tools to express all your feeling to feel calmer and peaceful.

Anger management can change the course of your life. When we learn how to manage our feelings, instead of our feelings managing us, we begin to grow in psychological maturity. The quality of your relationships determines the quality of your life. I will assist you in understanding triggers, thought patterns, and developing alternative coping mechanisms to address difficult feelings. Your relationships and your life will thrive.

We treat anger with compassion, as it is our experience that anger is usually a symptom of an underlying issue or feeling that is harder to feel or cope with in life. Issues with anger can also present themselves as a part of someone versus all of them. We treat all mental health issues from a trauma-informed, strengths-based, systems model of care.