Anger Management and Counseling in Farmers Branch, TX.

Anger is a normal emotion & is allowed! Underwood Counseling & Consultation, PLLC helps clients to recognize thoughts, feelings, & behaviors that contribute to the expression of anger in both unhealthy & healthy ways. We offer an insightful exploration of emotional management & regulation, skill building, & mindfulness to improve the expression of anger. Underwood Counseling & Consultation, PLLC uses CBT, DBT skills training, ACT, EMDR, & Accelerated Resolution Therapy to improve anger management.

Very often we look at emotions as good or bad, right or wrong. Anger is a natural part of our emotional experience of life. We experience challenges and frustrations in our daily lives and sometimes it can be difficult to work through the experience with the intensity of anger we may be experiencing. Learning to understand what the anger is about and why it is as intense as it is can help us to move into a new relationship with our anger which allows us to experience it the way we want without guilt or shame.

We best manage our anger when we approach it from two angles. The first is to examine and change our behavior. There is always a predictive pattern to an anger escalation. Once we learn this and understand this path, we can engage it differently and have an improved outcome. Secondly, for longer term relief, we need to examine how we think and how we can begin to see life differently and get our needs met in healthier ways. Healthy anger is simply the slight boost of energy we feel when we engage something that is not right or is unfair (at least to us!). Learning how to deal with the thoughts and feelings around this will give us more tools and better outcomes.

Anger is a secondary emotion. Underneath it always exists deeper emotions like sadness or fear. People who consistently live in anger need help accessing this sadness or fear. Anger is also addictive. Whether it's consistent rage or the daily low level anger of complaining, it can be hard to jettison even if we know what's under it. Vulnerability is the key.

Anger is a normal part of our emotional make-up. Expressing our anger is important to our mental health. However, it is important that we learn how to do this in a positive way, that is not detrimental to our relationships and our lives. There are many techniques that can be learned in order to accomplish this. Let me help you to learn life skills that can help you to better control your emotions.

Anger is one of the most power and expressive human emotions, but unless it is understood and channeled appropriately it ends up destroying lives. The uniqueness of anger comes from its ability to hide and consume other emotions. Through counseling you will learn how to distinguish anger from other emotions. You will also learn the source of your anger, to appreciate your anger, positive ways to express your anger, and ways to control your anger instead of it controlling you.

Everyone experiences anger at one time or another…it can be a normal and healthy response to life’s challenges. But when it becomes explosive, hostile or abusive, counseling can help you sort out the underlying emotions, triggers and patterns that develop as a result. Road rage, fighting and aggressive outbursts are just a few examples of how anger can spiral out of control. Counseling can help individuals understand the different aspect of angry feelings and behaviors, allowing for increased self-control, healthy functioning and improved relationships and self-esteem.

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.

Anger is usually caused by shoulds or demands that you impose upon others. You argue with what is, demanding that what you want is what should be. Anger is truly one of the hardest emotions to shift out of when you're really feeling it strongly. In working with you on your anger, I will start by just listening and trying to understand why you're feeling hurt, betrayed, abandoned, abused, neglected, or deprived in some fashion. Then I will teach you to evaluate what is in your control & what isn't, so we can help you to focus upon what is in your control. In addition, I will teach you appropriate ways to express yourself, and to shift out of demandingness, into stating what you prefer

When working to address anger management issues, I help people learn how to identify stressors, take necessary steps to remain calm, and handle tense situations in a constructive, positive manner. Once someone has better understanding of anger and their triggers, they are able to develop skills and tools to help them respond to stressors or triggers in a more healthy and effective manner.

Using the Angerbusters model, we'll look at how to keep anger from controlling your life, or better live with someone with an anger problem. This is a model that sees anger as a "cover emotion" that, for some people, should not be indulged. Toxic anger can endanger not only marriages, but careers, friendships and other family relationships. The model is extremely practical, with specific ideas to adopt and scripts to say in everyday life.

Anger is a God-given emotion that everyone experiences. Anger can be expressed in a positive and constructive way or in a negative and destructive way. At Christ Centered Counseling / Anger Is OK! we provide anger management training for court ordered individuals and for those desiring to learn anger management skills. Clients learn how to identify their anger triggers, how to use calming and relaxation techniques, and how to be assertive, rather than aggressive, and much more. Dr. Bartley is a Certified Anger Management Specialist (CAMS-V) and Diplomat with the National Anger Management Association.

My approach revolves around helping clients gain a deep understanding of the root causes and triggers of their anger. I provide a supportive and non-judgmental space where clients can explore their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors associated with anger. Through evidence-based techniques and strategies, clients will benefit by learning healthier ways to express and manage their anger, enhancing their communication skills, and ultimately regaining control over their reactions.