Anger Management

Group

Journal and Workbook

This book belongs to:

_________________________________________

The Anger Rules

Its OK to feel angry BUT
Dont hurt others
Dont hurt yourself
Dont hurt property
* DO talk about it

 INTRODUCTION TO GROUP
So you've been referred to the anger management group. How do you feel about that? Do you
think you need to be here? What if someone said to you, "I know what you'd like. Be honest.
You'd like to get your own way all the time, get whatever you want, get back at anyone you
perceive has hurt or crossed you, get your dreams and fantasies to come true right now - all
without effort or sacrifice - and without consequences or regrets." (Such power!) Sound good?
Does it sound like you? If you think this sounds like a great way to live life, think about what life
would be like if everyone had these powers! If you think this doesn't sound like you, think about
the times you've cut life's corners, played helpless, taken without giving, told stories about other
people, threatened and hurt, lied and manipulated, used and threw away, ignored the feelings or
welfare of others, or sold out on your own values to be part of the crowd, and so on.

A typical "out" for such behavior is generally something like "considering my hurts,
disappointments, and traumas, I can't be responsible for the havoc I wreak in the lives of others
or the mess I've made of my own life." If you have excused your behavior for any of these
reasons, do you really believe that only those people that were born with great genes and perfect
parents will behave with character, courage, and conscience?
The way in which your anger manifests against yourself and other people will be the focus of
your assignments in this group and will be topics for discussion. We hope you will learn to take
responsibility for your behavior and avoid the common trap, which is ...




"Now that I've done all these things I shouldn't have done, how can I avoid
the consequences I knew, but denied, or just hoped wouldn't happen? I
know I made a mess, but how can I make it all better, come out differently,
or better still, make it go away?"

The path to solid, supportive, healthy relationships, self-respect, and a quality life starts with the
usually painful decision to do the right thing. This group is to help get you on that path and to
keep you focused on those goals.

Something to think about for the next 12 weeks:

Watch your thoughts -they become words. Watch your words -they become actions. Watch
your actions -they become habits. Watch your habits -they become character Watch your
character -it becomes your destiny.
Author unknown

GROUP RULES

1. Be on time. If you are more than 5 minutes late, you will be asked to leave and will be
grounded until the next group meeting.

2. No food, drink, walkmans, magazines, toys, or other distractions are allowed in group.

3. Group members will be asked to sit appropriately in chairs that are placed in a circle
facing one another, or around a table depending on where group is held.

4. Group members are expected to speak one at a time and participate in every group
meeting. Sitting in group and doing nothing is not acceptable.

5. Group members will be asked to use respectful language at all times. Any use of foul or
sexually inappropriate language will be given one warning. After that you will be asked to
leave.

6. No war stories will be allowed. This means telling the group members how, when, where,
etc. You will talk about how you feel about what you did.

7. Attendance to this group is mandatory. You will be grounded for any unexcused absences
until the next group. Frequent absences or tardiness will indicate a lack of commitment
on your part and may result in your dismissal from the group.

8. Group members will bring their books and a pen to every group. You will have difficulty
working in this group without your materials.

9. There will be no breaks. Make it a habit to use the bathroom before you come to group. If
someone needs to leave for any reason, group will stop and will not resume until the
member has returned.

I have read and understand the group rules. I will follow them and accept the
consequences if I do not.


Signature __________________________________________

BEING A POSITIVE GROUP MEMBER

1. Always look at the person you are talking to - don't speak only to the group leader(s).
Remember to speak so everyone can hear you, and look at the group, not the ground,
when you are speaking.

2. Involve yourself in group - keep up the interaction and participation. Ask questions of
your peers and group leader. Share and question in a positive way.

3. Let others talk and don't interrupt - be respectful!

4. Take group seriously. Be on time. Don't use it as a social hour. This group is for you and to
help you. Don't joke about what others say.

5. Be direct and honest. Trust is built upon trusting!

6. When you are asked to journal for 15 minutes - try to spend 15 minutes on this part of
group. Don't write something in a hurry and call it good. Reflecting on what you are
getting out of this group is one of the most important things you can do to make this
group as worthwhile as possible for you.

7. There will be an assignment for each week's group. It is your responsibility to turn the
assignment in to the group leader on the assigned date. This is a way of helping you learn
to be accountable .

















4

ANGER...
WHAT IS IT?

A feeling of displeasure resulting from injury, mistreatment, opposition, usually
shows itself in a desire to fight back at the supposed cause of this feeling.
(Webster's New World Dictionary, 1988)

A normal, natural emotion that, in itself, is neither good nor bad. Instead its value
is determined by how you choose to respond to it. (Hankins, Prescription for Anger,
2000)

Anger is a physical state of readiness... being highly alert. When we are angry, all
the power of our person is available to us. This, and this alone, is anger.
Preparedness. Power. It equips us to act decisively in the interest of resolution and
healing. (Warren, Make Anger Your Ally, 1990)

GROUP 1 - INTRODUCTION
Focus and Goal:









Journal:

Introduction to anger management group - why are you here, what
can you learn? Understand the group rules. Become familiar with how
your anger looks in your life.

What do you hope to get from this group? Do you feel

you belong in this group? Do you feel you can learn


something about yourself in this group?

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
6

ANGER CHECKLIST

NAME: _______________________________________

Put a check mark besides the questions to which you answer yes

________ 1.

________ 2.



________ 3.

________ 4.



________ 5.

________ 6.

________ 7.

________ 8.

________ 9.

________ 10.



________ 11.

Do you ever look for reasons to get angry?

Do you get bored with your life if you have not had something to be
angry about for awhile?
Does "having a good fight" have a real appeal for you?
Do you sense that, at times, your anger is controlling you instead of
you being in control of it?
Do you feel really good in the middle of an argument?
Do you get angry more often than you used to?
Do you have to get angrier than you used to in order to feel satisfied?
Has your anger ever led you to enjoy hurting someone else?
Does getting angry help you feel less anxious?
Do you feel normal when you are always angry with someone about
something?
Does getting angry over small things seem irresistible to you at times?

________ 12.

________ 13.

________ 14.

Do you feel guilt, shame, remorse or depression after an anger high?

Do you forget the things you say or do when you are high on anger?
Does getting angry give you a feeling of being
strong, alive or powerful?

Ronald T. Potter-Efron, "Letting Go of Anger" workshop

Handout layout & design by J. Elsmore

GROUP 2 - WHAT ANGER LOOKS LIKE

Focus and Goal:

Journal:

The goal of this group is to help you understand what anger looks like
emotionally and behaviorally.

What does anger look like in your life? How do you know when you are
angry?

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
8

GROUP 3 - ANGER = ENERGY

Focus and Goal:









Journal:

The focus of this group is to help the members to know the

differences between constructive and destructive anger. The goal of
this group is to help you come up with ways to release anger in safe
ways.

GROUP 4 - BODY & ANGER

The focus of this group is to help the members to become aware of
how their anger affects their body. The goal of this group is to learn
some relaxation techniques to use when angry.

Focus and Goal:

Activity: When we feel angry, things happen to our bodies. Draw what happens to you.
Label your picture, e.g. red face

10

Journal:

What did you learn about anger in your body? Where do you feel it and how
do you know its coming on?

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

11

GROUP 5 - CHRONIC ANGER

Focus and Goal:




Journal:

The focus of this group is to help the members to understand what
chronic anger looks like.
Do you feel angry for no reason? Why? What excuses do you have for being
angry? Does physical release help you calm down? Why?

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
12

GROUP 6 - GRIEF RELATED ANGER

Focus and Goal:

The focus of this group is to help the members to understand what
anger from grief looks like.

Journal:

Does your anger build up over time and become unmanageable? Why? Does
anger release the emotion you are feeling? Does your anger seem to be full
of energy? How so?

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
13


GROUP 7 - WHAT MAKES YOU ANGRY?
Focus and Goal:

The goal of this group is to help the members to understand what
makes them angry.

Journal:

Write in the spaces the anger you may have bottles up. Who? When?
Where? Why?

14



GROUP 8 - HISTORY OF YOUR ANGER
Focus and Goal:

Journal:

The goal is to identify what is beneath your anger.
Based on your lifeline, create a collage using magazine clippings,
newspaper, or personal drawings expressing the sources of your anger.

15

GROUP 9 - HISTORY OF YOUR ANGER (REVIEW)

Focus and Goal:

The goal of this group is to help the members to understand how their
emotions affect behavior.

Journal:

What did you learn about yourself from the last couple weeks?

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
16

GROUP 10 - COPING SKILLS

Focus and Goal:

Homework:

Journal:

The goal of this group is to help the members learn a variety of coping skills
Take a picture of yourself using your favorite coping skill and be prepared
to talk about it next class.
What are some coping skills that you find particularly helpful? Are there
any skills that were discussed that you have not tried yet?

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________


17

GROUP 11 PRACTICING COPING SKILLS

Focus and Goal:

Journal:

The goal of this group is to help the members practice & learn new coping
skills instead of letting the anger take over.
How did you experience the skills you practiced today? Do you think it was
helpful? Do you have any ideas that might be more helpful to you?

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
18

GROUP 12 - Anger Group Graduation

Focus and Goal:

The goal of this group is to help the members utilize the skills taught
over the 12 weeks and celebrate their success.

19