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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

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:

cognitive restructuring of an individual’s ways of perceiving aversive events, unhelpful thinking styles, attentional focus, and rumination;
the use of breathing, muscle relaxation, and imagery exercises to reduce tension and arousal to provocation;
behavioral coping training including assertiveness, diplomacy, and strategic withdrawal.

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

54 languages

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 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

Understanding and reducing angry feelings download archived copy
A guide to controlling anger download archived copy
Anger and irritability self-help booklet archived copy
Anger models archived copy archived copy
Dealing with anger and impulsivity archived copy archived copy

Information handouts (interpersonal effectiveness)

What is anger? download
Anger coping strategies download
Assertive communication download
Coping with stress download
Grief and bereavement download

Exercises, Worksheets & Workbooks

Dealing with anger and impulsivity download archived copy
Lemons or lemonade – an anger workbook for teens archived copy archived copy
Anger management workbook download archived copy

Self-Help Programmes

Self-Help Programme (Managing anger)

Workbook 1: About Anger archived copy
Workbook 2: Quick control archived copy
Workbook 3: Strategies to manage your anger archived copy
Workbook 4: Relationships archived copy
Workbook 5: Challenging angry thoughts and beliefs archive.org
Workbook 6: Challenges to managing anger archived copy

Self-Help Programme (Assertiveness)

What is assertiveness? download archived copy
How to recognise assertive behaviour download archived copy
How to think more assertively download archived copy
How to behave more assertively download archived copy
Reducing physical tension download archived copy
How to say “no” assertively download archived copy
How to deal assertively with criticism download archived copy
How to deal with disappointment assertively download archived copy
How to give and receive compliments assertively download archived copy
Putting it all together download archived copy

Presentations

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