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Anger Control Training

Anger Control Training is the second, emotion oriented, component of ART®. This component was developed by Feindler and her research group (Feindler & Ecton, 1986) at Adelphi University.
Skillstreaming, the behavioral component of ART®, teaches youth what to do instead of aggression. In a complementary manner, Anger Control Training teaches trainees what not to do. Its aim is to enhance the self-control, reduction, or management of anger and aggression. Trainees are trained to respond to provocations not with anger but with a chain of responses focusing on:

• Triggers
  The external events and internal appraisals that function as one's anger stimuli.



• Cues
  Kinesthetic or other psychological sensations or experiences signifying one's anger arousal.



• Reducers
  Arousal-lowering techniques such as backward counting, deep breathing, peaceful imagery and reflection on long-term consequences.



• Reminders
  Self-instructional statements designed to reinterpret and defuse internal triggers.



• Skillstreaming alternative
  Use of the appropriate Skillstreaming alternative to anger or aggression



• Selfevaluation
  Selfevaluation of the use and results obtained in the previous steps in the anger control sequence.

Overview of a 10-week Anger Control Training Sequence:

Week 1: Introduction

Explanation of the goals of the training and work on commitment.

Initial assessment of the A-B-C's of aggressive behavior.

A: What led up to it? (trigger)
B: What did you do?
C: What were the consequences?

Week 2: Triggers

Introduction of the Hassle Log.

Discussion about what makes you angry.

Role-play triggers.

Week 3: Cues and anger reducers 1, 2 and 3

Discuss how to know when you are angry (cues).

Discuss what to do when you know you are angry (deep breathing, backward counting, pleasant imagery).

Role-play triggers + cues + anger reducers.

Week 4: Reminders

Introduce and model using reminders.

Role-play triggers + cues + anger reducer(s) + reminders.

Week 5: Self-evaluation

Introduce self-evaluation (self-rewarding and self-coaching).

Role-play triggers + cues + anger reducer(s) + reminders + self-evaluation.

Week 6: Thinking ahead

Introduce thinking ahead.

a. Short- and long-term consequences.
b. Internal and external consequences.

Role-play "if - then" thinking ahead.

Role-play triggers + cues + anger reducer(s) + reminders + self-evaluation.

Week 7: Angry behavior cycle

Introduce the angry behavior cycle.

a. Identify your own anger-provoking behavior.
b. Change your own anger-provoking behavior

Role-play triggers + cues + anger reducer(s) + reminders + self-evaluation.

Week 8: Rehearsal of full sequence

Introduce the use of Skillstreaming skills in place of aggression.

Role-play triggers + cues + anger reducer(s) + reminders + Skillstreaming skills + self-evaluation.

Week 9: Rehearsal of full sequence

Introduce the use of Skillstreaming skills in place of aggression.

Role-play with situations from Hassle Logs. Triggers + cues + anger reducer(s) + reminders + Skillstreaming skills + self-evaluation

Week 10: Overall review

Recap anger control techniques.

Role-play with situations from Hassle Logs. Triggers + cues + anger reducer(s) + reminders + Skillstreaming skills + self-evaluation.