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Anger Management CBT Worksheets

Frustration, irritation, and anger are normal human emotions. We often feel angry when our goals are thwarted, or when we perceive that others are taking advantage of us. Anger can be a problem if it is experienced too frequently, too intensely, or if the modes through which an individual expresses their angry feelings include aggression or violence. Frameworks for understanding anger, and techniques for working with it effectively are an essential part of every clinician’s toolbox. This collection of resources has been designed to help your clients to recognize their anger, and to understand the thoughts, beliefs, and assumptions that are precipitating or perpetuating their angry responses. There are also resources for acting assertively and forgiving oneself or others. Read more
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A Guide To Emotions (Psychology Tools For Living Well)

Cognitive behavioral therapy can help your clients to live happier and more fulfilling lives. Psychology Tools for Living Well is a self-help course ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/a-guide-to-emotions-psychology-tools-for-living-well/

Chapter

Anger Self-Monitoring Record CBT Worksheet

Anger – Self-Monitoring Record

Developing self-monitoring skills teaches clients to systematically observe and record specific targets such as their own thoughts, body feelings, emo ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/anger-self-monitoring-record/

Worksheet

Anger Decision Sheet

Individuals who have a problem with anger can benefit from considering and rehearsing different responses to triggering situations. The Anger Decision ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/anger-decision-sheet/

Exercise

Anger Diary (Archived)

Self monitoring of thoughts, feelings and symptoms is an essential skill for clients engaged in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The Anger Diary is ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/anger-diary-archived/

Worksheet

Anger Self-Monitoring Record (Edition 1)

Self-monitoring is a fundamental tool in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This Anger Self-Monitoring Record is designed to help clients to better ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/anger-self-monitoring-record-edition-1/

Worksheet

Anger Thought Challenging Record

Disputing thoughts is a critical skill in cognitive therapy. The Anger Thought Monitoring Record helps clients to identify and challenge their angry t ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/anger-thought-challenging-record/

Worksheet

Assertive Communication

Communicating and acting assertively is an interpersonal skill that helps people to maintain healthy relationships, resolve interpersonal conflict, an ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/assertive-communication/

Information Handout

Assertive Responses

Being able to communicate assertively is an essential skill for developing and maintaining healthy relationships and positive self-esteem. Individuals ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/assertive-responses/

Exercise

Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) automatically regulates the function of body systems outside of voluntary control. The Autonomic Nervous System han ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/autonomic-nervous-system/

Information Handout

Behavioral Experiment

Behavioral experiments are planned experiential activities to test the validity of a belief. They are one of the most powerful techniques available to ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/behavioral-experiment/

Worksheet

Behavioral Experiment (Portrait Format)

Behavioral experiments allow individuals to test the validity of their beliefs and assumptions. They are a core experiential technique for therapeutic ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/behavioral-experiment-portrait-format/

Worksheet

Psychology Tools Guide To Challenging Your Negative Thinking

Challenging Your Negative Thinking (Archived)

A cornerstone of cognitive behavioral therapy is that an individual’s interpretation of an event determines how they feel and behave. We all experie ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/challenging-your-negative-thinking/

Guide

Combined Relaxation Exercise

Combined Relaxation Exercise (Audio)

The Combined Relaxation Exercise is an audio track from the Psychology Tools For Relaxation Audio Collection. It is designed to help anyone experienci ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/combined-relaxation-exercise-audio/

Audio

Developing Psychological Flexibility

Developing Psychological Flexibility is a client information handout which can be used to familiarize clients with the ACT model. ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/developing-psychological-flexibility/

Information Handout

Emotions Motivate Actions

Many clients find it helpful to recognize the range of actions that are motivated by different emotional states. This worksheet encourages clients to ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/emotions-motivate-actions/

Information Handout

Evaluating Unhelpful Automatic Thoughts (NATs) CBT Guide

Evaluating Unhelpful Automatic Thoughts

The Evaluating Unhelpful Automatic Thoughts guide is written for clients who struggle with negative automatic thoughts. It provides a comprehensive in ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/evaluating-unhelpful-automatic-thoughts/

Guide

Fair Fighting Rules For Resolving Conflict

Fair Fighting Rules For Resolving Conflict

Fair fighting is a collection of rules that individuals can use to manage conflict effectively, so that it is ‘fair’ and works towards a resolutio ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/fair-fighting-rules-for-resolving-conflict/

Information Handout

Fight or Flight (CYP)

The Fight Or Flight (CYP) information handout has been specifically designed for younger children and includes carefully simplified language. The full ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/fight-or-flight-cyp/

Information Handout

Fight Or Flight Response CBT Worksheet

Fight Or Flight Response

The fight or flight response is an automatic physiological reaction to an event that is perceived as stressful or frightening. The perception of threa ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/fight-or-flight-response/

Information Handout

Forgiveness Is

Forgiveness is an effectvie treatment for anger and relieving hurt. Sadly, many people dismiss forgiveness due to misconceptions regarding its nature. ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/forgiveness-is/

Information Handout

Forgiveness Methods

Forgiveness is an effective treatment for anger and the relief of hurt. This information handout describes techniques for forgiveness and the steps in ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/forgiveness-methods/

Information Handout

Forgiveness Quotes

Forgiveness takes courage and strength. This information handout contains a helpful selection of quotations about forgiveness from famous figures. ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/forgiveness-quotes/

Information Handout

Functional Analysis

Functional analysis examines the causes and consequences of behavior. This classic A-B-C Functional Analysis worksheet can be used to collect informat ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/functional-analysis/

Worksheet

Functional Analysis With Intervention Planning

This classic A-B-C functional analysis worksheet can be used to collect information about what came before a behavior (antecedents), the behavior itse ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/functional-analysis-with-intervention-planning/

Worksheet

Grounding Statements Audio

Grounding Statements (Audio)

Grounding techniques are used to help people to reorient themselves to the present moment and to safety. Grounding Statements are a form of cognitive ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/grounding-statements-audio/

Audio

Grounding Techniques

Individuals who have experienced trama often find it difficult to stay within the ‘window of tolerance’. Grounding techniques (which can b ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/grounding-techniques/

Exercise

Grounding Techniques Menu

Dissociation can be described as a shift of a person’s attention away from the present moment. When working with traumatized clients, this shift oft ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/grounding-techniques-menu/

Information Handout

How Breathing Affects Feelings

Normal, anxious, and exercise breathing have significant effects upon our physiology and our emotions. This information handout explains the physiolog ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/how-breathing-affects-feelings/

Exercise

How Your Body Responds To Stress

Many clients identify with the concept of ‘stress’ more readily than ‘threat’ and the The How Your Body Responds To Stress information handou ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/how-your-body-responds-to-stress/

Information Handout

Interpersonal Beliefs And Styles CBT Worksheet

Interpersonal Beliefs And Styles

Interpersonal issues and relationship problems form an important part of what clients bring to therapy: they might present as clients’ current conce ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/interpersonal-beliefs-and-styles/

Worksheet

Intrusive Memory Record

Intrusive (unwanted, involuntary) memories are a common feature of PTSD, but also depression and other conditions. This Intrusive Memory Record is des ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/intrusive-memory-record/

Worksheet

Learning To Relax (CYP)

Stress and tension are prevalent complaints amongst children and young people. Teaching relaxation exercises can engender a beneficial sense of contro ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/learning-to-relax-cyp/

Exercise

Mindful Attention Audio

Mindful Attention (Audio)

Mindful Attention is a technique for becoming aware of one’s thoughts and experiences, and being able to observe these as transient mental events. ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/mindful-attention-audio/

Audio

Motivation and Ambivalence

Motivation is a necessary precursor to change, yet many clients are ambivalent about the process of change. The Motivation And Ambivalence worksheets ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/motivation-and-ambivalence/

Exercise

Motivational Systems (Emotional Regulation Systems)

At the heart of Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is an evolutionary model of human motivational systems. Developed by Paul Gilbert it is a helpful len ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/motivational-systems-emotional-regulation-systems/

Information Handout

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Progressive relaxation training originated in the 1930’s as a treatment for tension and anxiety. Edmund Jacobsen developed a systematic and lengthy ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/progressive-muscle-relaxation/

Exercise

Progressive Muscle Relaxation Audio

Progressive Muscle Relaxation (Audio)

The Progressive Muscle Relaxation exercise guides the listener through a sequence in which muscle groups are tensed and relaxed. ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/progressive-muscle-relaxation-audio/

Audio

Progressive Muscle Relaxation (Edition 1)

Muscle tension is one reaction to stress and anxiety. This exercise includes instructions for Progressive Muscle Relaxation, a technique for promoting ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/progressive-muscle-relaxation-edition-1/

Exercise

Psychology Tools For Mindfulness Audio Collection

The Psychology Tools For Mindfulness Audio Collection is the perfect way to introduce your clients to the practice of mindfulness. Developed by a clin ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/psychology-tools-for-mindfulness-audio-collection/

Audio Collection

Reciprocal CBT Formulation CBT Worksheet

Reciprocal CBT Formulation

CBT therapists often describe finding it difficult to apply CBT skills when clients bring relational problems to therapy. Familiar methods of visua ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/reciprocal-cbt-formulation/

Worksheet

Psychology Tools For Relaxation Audio Collection

Relaxation: Audio Collection

The Psychology Tools For Relaxation Audio Collection is designed to help anyone experiencing stress or heightened physiological arousal. The audio col ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/psychology-tools-for-relaxation-audio-collection/

Audio Collection

Relaxed Breathing

Practising Relaxed Breathing serves to reduce physiological arousal and can be an excellent grounding technique. This client information handout descr ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/relaxed-breathing/

Exercise

Relaxed Breathing Exercise 1 Audio

Relaxed Breathing Exercise 1 (Audio)

Breathing Exercise 1 guides the listener through simple instructions to make their breathing slower, deeper, and more regular. ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/relaxed-breathing-exercise-1-audio/

Audio

Relaxed Breathing Exercise 2 Audio

Relaxed Breathing Exercise 2 (Audio)

Breathing Exercise 2 uses the imagery of inflating a balloon to help the listener make their breathing slower, deeper, and more regular. ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/relaxed-breathing-exercise-2-audio/

Audio

Relaxed Breathing Exercise 3 Audio

Relaxed Breathing Exercise 3 (Audio)

Breathing Exercise 3 uses the imagery of breathing air of different colours to help the listener make their breathing slower, deeper, and more regular ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/relaxed-breathing-exercise-3-audio/

Audio

Relaxed Breathing Exercise 4 Audio

Relaxed Breathing Exercise 4 (Audio)

Breathing Exercise 4 guides the listener through simple instructions to breathe in a more relaxed fashion. ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/relaxed-breathing-exercise-4-audio/

Audio

Relaxed Breathing Record Form

Practising relaxed breathing serves to reduce physiological arousal and can be an excellent grounding technique. This record form helps clients to mon ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/relaxed-breathing-record-form/

Worksheet

Responses To Threat: Freeze, Appease, Flight, Fight

Human beings are programmed to respond automatically in a variety of ways to a threat including freezing, escaping, and dissociation. Traumatized indi ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/responses-to-threat-freeze-appease-flight-fight/

Information Handout

Sensory Grounding Using Smells Audio

Sensory Grounding Using Smells (Audio)

The Sensory Grounding Using Smells exercise is an audio track from the Psychology Tools For Overcoming PTSD Audio Collection. It is designed to teach ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/sensory-grounding-using-smells-audio/

Audio

Sensory Grounding Using Your Five Senses Audio

Sensory Grounding Using Your Five Senses (Audio)

The Sensory Grounding Using Your Five Senses exercise is an audio track from the Psychology Tools For Overcoming PTSD Audio Collection. It is designed ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/sensory-grounding-using-your-five-senses-audio/

Audio

Therapy Blueprint

Since the publication of this version of the therapy blueprint we have also developed a more sophisticated version: Therapy Blueprint (Universal) A th ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/therapy-blueprint/

Worksheet

Thought Record - Courtroom Trial CBT Worksheet

Thought Record – Courtroom Trial

Thought records are commonly used in CBT to help people to evaluate their negative automatic thoughts for accuracy and bias. The Thought Record – Co ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/thought-record-courtroom-trial/

Worksheet

CBT Thought Record Evidence For And Against A Negative Automatic Thought

Thought Record (Evidence For And Against)

CBT Thought Records exist in multiple variants, depending on the needs and abilities of the client. This Thought Record (Evidence For And Against) is ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/thought-record-evidence-for-and-against/

Worksheet

Unforgiveness Hook Metaphor

Forgiveness is an often misunderstood concept in therapy. This Unforgiveness Hook Metaphor is a striking representation of the consequences of remaini ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/unforgiveness-hook-metaphor/

Information Handout

Unhelpful Thinking Styles

Human thinking is subject to a number of characteristic biases. In the 1960s, Aaron Beck identified several of these biases which were common in his d ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/unhelpful-thinking-styles/

Information Handout

VAS Scale

Visual analogue scales (VAS’s) can be used for subjective ratings of emotion or other sensations such as pain. This is a handy VAS scale in the ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/vas-scale/

Exercise

What Does the Brain do (lobes and regions)?

What Does The Brain Do? (Lobes and Regions)

The human brain is the center of the body’s nervous system and the seat of cognition. It is responsible for everything that we do, feel and perceive ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/what-does-the-brain-do-lobes-and-regions/

Information Handout

What does the brain do? (lobes)

What Does The Brain Do? (Lobes)

The human brain is the centre of the body’s nervous system and the seat of cognition. It is responsible for everything that we do, feel, and perceiv ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/what-does-the-brain-do-lobes/

Information Handout

Window Of Tolerance Information Handout

Window Of Tolerance

The window of tolerance concept was coined by Dan Siegel in his 1999 book The Developing Mind. Siegel proposes that everyone has a range of intensitie ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/window-of-tolerance/

Information Handout

Assessment

  • Aggression Questionnaire | Buss, Perry | 1992
    • Scale  download  archived copy
    • Buss, A.H., & Perry, M. (1992). The Aggression Questionnaire. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 63, 452-459.
  • Clinical Anger Scale | Snell, Gum, Shuck, Mosley, Hite | 1995
    • Scale  download  archived copy
    • Snell, W. E., Jr., Gum, S., Shuck, R. L., Mosley, J. A., & Hite, T. L.. (1995).  The Clinical Anger Scale: Preliminary reliability and validity. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 51, 215-226
  • Dahlberg LL, Toal SB, Swahn M, Behrens CB. (2005) Measuring Violence-Related Attitudes, Behaviors, and Influences Among Youths: A Compendium of Assessment Tools, 2nd ed., Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. download archived copy

Intervention

Therapy manuals

  • Getting along & keeping cool: A group treatment programme for aggression control  download  archived copy
  • Anger management for substance use and mental health clients: A cognitive behavioral therapy manual | SAMHSA | 2019 download archived copy
  • Anger management for substance abuse and mental health clients  download  archived copy
  • How to trick ‘angry’: Narrative therapy for people with an intellectual disability  download  archived copy
  • Working with anger – some powerful practical tips – Russ Harris  download  archived copy
  • Anger management instructor guide | VA | 2008 download archived copy

Information handouts

Information handouts (interpersonal effectiveness)

Exercises, Worksheets & Workbooks

Self-Help Programmes

Self-Help Programme (Managing anger)

Self-Help Programme (Assertiveness)

Presentations

  • Anger management and coping skills | Eastridge | 2013 download  archived copy
  • Anger, Compassion, and What It Means To Be Strong | Kolts  youtube.com

Recommended Reading

  • Day, A., Howells, K., Mohr, P., Schall, E., & Gerace, A. (2008). The development of CBT programmes for anger: The role of interventions to promote perspective-taking skills. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 36(3), 299-312. download  archived copy
  • Deffenbacher, J. L. (2011). Cognitive-behavioral conceptualization and treatment of anger. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 18(2), 212-221. archived copy
  • Henwood, K. S., Chou, S., & Browne, K. D. (2015). A systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of CBT informed anger management. Aggression and violent behavior, 25, 280-292. download  archived copy
  • Mackintosh, M. A., Morland, L. A., Frueh, B. C., Greene, C. J., & Rosen, C. S. (2014). Peeking into the black box: mechanisms of action for anger management treatment. Journal of anxiety disorders, 28(7), 687-695. download  archived copy
  • Novaco, R. W. (1976). The functions and regulation of the arousal of anger. American Journal of Psychiatry, 133(10), 1124-1128. download archived copy
  • Novaco, R. W. (1977). Stress inoculation: A cognitive therapy for anger and its application to a case of depression. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 45(4), 600. download archived copy

What Is Anger?

Signs and Symptoms of Anger

Anger is an emotional response that is associated with a spectrum of other physiological, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physical signs associated with anger include muscle tension, including a clenched jaw, increased heart rate, sweating, headache, or dizziness. Emotions associated with anger may include frustration, irritation, anxiety, guilt, or shame. Behaviors associated with anger can span a spectrum from expressive (e.g., raising your voice, being sarcastic or abrasive) to inhibitory (e.g., withdrawing, focusing internally).

Psychological Models and Theory of Anger

In 1975 Raymond Novaco published an influential analysis of the functions and regulation of anger. He described anger as having the following functions:

  • an energizing function which increases the vigor with which we act;
  • allowing for the expression of frustrations;
  • a self-promotional function;
  • a defense against feelings of vulnerability, whereby an anger response appears as secondary to a situation that has aroused anxiety.

Evidence-Based Psychological Approaches for Working with Anger

Cognitive behavioral interventions are the most studied treatments of anger (Lee & DiGiuseppe, 2018).

Anger Management

Anger management is a structured treatment designed to foster the self-regulation of anger and aggressive behavior. Anger management teaches clients to become aware of signs and symptoms associated with their anger. Anger management is intended to reduce the frequency, intensity, duration, and specific modes of expression of anger. Intervention techniques include:

Forgiveness Therapy

Forgiveness therapy is an evidence-based treatment for anger (Enright & Fitzgibbons, 2000, 2015). Enright and Fitzgibbons have published extensively regarding forgiveness therapy. Their approach views forgiveness as a process involving stages of uncovering, decision, work, and deepening.

Resources for Working with Anger

Psychology Tools resources available for working therapeutically with anger may include:

  • psychological models of anger
  • information handouts for anger management
  • exercises for anger management
  • CBT worksheets for anger management
  • self-help programs for anger management

References

  • Enright, R. D., & Fitzgibbons, R. P. (2000). Helping clients forgive: An empirical guide for resolving anger and restoring hope. American Psychological Association.
  • Enright, R. D., & Fitzgibbons, R. P. (2015). Forgiveness therapy: An empirical guide for resolving anger and restoring hope. American Psychological Association.
  • Lee, A. H., & DiGiuseppe, R. (2018). Anger and aggression treatments: A review of meta-analyses. Current Opinion in Psychology, 19, 65–74.
  • Novaco, R. W. (1975). Anger control: The development and evaluation of an experimental treatment. Lexington.
  • Novaco, R. W., & Renwick, S. J. (2019). Anger management. Common Language for Psychotherapy (CLP) Procedures Retrieved from: https://www.commonlanguagepsychotherapy.org/assets/accepted_procedures/anger.pdf

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