How To Treat A Non-Illness

How Do You Treat A Mental Illness That Does Not Exist?

According to the American Psychotherapy Association, anger is a normal human emotion. Everyone gets angry from time to time. Anger is seen as a problem when it is too intense, lasts too long, impacts health, affects interpersonal relationships, occurs too frequently or leads to person or property directed aggression.

Mild forms of human anger may include displeasure, irritation or dislike. When we react to frustration, criticism or a threat, we may become angry – and usually this is a healthy response. Anger is a secondary emotion that is a common reaction to stress. Anger may be a response to feeling sad, lonely or frightened. When anger becomes full-blown rage our judgment and thinking can become impaired and we are more likely to do and say unreasonable and irrational things.

While anger may be a symptom of many mental and physical illnesses, anger is not listed in the latest edition of the Statistical Manual of Nervous and Mental Disorders (DSM 5). Therefore, it is unreasonable to attempt to offer counseling, psychotherapy or psychotropic medication for anger.

Attempting to diagnose poor impulse control as mental illnesses detracts from the very real, very serious and very dangerous mental illnesses that are indeed caused by very terrible things that happen within sufferers’ brains. Unlike schizophrenia that can’t be willed away, anger management is a learned skill. Any skill that is learned can be unlearned or replaced with a more useful skill.

Emotional Intelligence based Anger Management coaching is the most appropriate skill enhance intervention for self-awareness, self-control, social awareness, empathy and relationship management. All of these skills are critical for proper impulse control. Anger management is a procedure for acquiring the skills to recognize signs that you are becoming angry, and taking action to deal with the situation in a positive way. In no way does anger management mean holding the anger in or trying to keep from feeling anger.

Generally, an Emotional Intelligence Assessment (Bar On EQi 2.0) is given on-line to each client prior to starting the coaching or classes. Debriefing and client workbooks are provided at the first session.

Certified Anger Management Facilitators/Coaches can be found in most states in the U.S. as well as many Provinces in Canada.

George Anderson, MSW, BCD, CAMF.CEAP

Bar On Certified Provider

Diplomate, American Association of Anger Management Providers

 

Concerge Trainings of 6 Participants Now Available

Our April trainings in Los Angeles and Chicago were both small and very intensive. The participants gave Yacine Bell, our Oakland based Faculty person who conducted the Los Angeles training the best evaluations of any of our trainngs. According to the 6 persons in attendance, it was the intamacy and personalization of the material that resonated with all of the participants.

I provided the training in Chicago for another 6 participants and received appreciation for not cancelled the training because of the small number. Therefore, I decided in Chicago to purposely market future small training of between 6 and ten any where in the U.S,

Suggest a location and help us get 6 persons and we will be there. We will soon announce a Three Day Training for London the second weekend in August. Follow our website as well as our new Facebook Page at Facebook@andersonandanderson.

Impulsive Control for Developmentally Disabled Adults and Youth

A developmental disability is a disability that is manifested before the person reaches 22 years of age, which constitutes a substantial disability to the affected individual, and is attributable to mental retardation or related conditions which include cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism or other neurological conditions when such conditions result in impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior similar to that of a person with mental retardation.

Adaptive behavior means that the person has overall adaptive behavior which is significantly limited in two or more skill areas (communication, self-care, home living, social skills, community use, self direction, health and safety, functional academics, leisure, and work:, as measured by an instrument which is standardized, appropriate to the person’s living environment, and administered and clinically determined by a qualified professional.

Like so many other skill enhancement interventions, anger management professionals have overlooked the entire developmentally disabled population. This is unfortunate, unacceptable and must be addressed.

Like any other individuals, persons who are developmentally disabled suffer from deficits in their ability to understand and manage stress, recognize when they are becoming angry and control their behavior when unpleasant feelings are present. In addition, they may be prone to appear insensitive and lacking in empathy.

Anger management classes for developmentally disabled persons must sometimes be offered on an individual basis or in dyads or very small groups. Graphics with pictures as well as CDs and DVDs or posters must be maximized for those who learn best with visual material.

Frequent, brief sessions are often better than 50- minute sessions that overwhelm the client’s capacity to sustain attention. All providers must have a minimum of 40 hours in Anger Management Facilitator Certification.

For persons 18 years of age or older, the Bar On EQi Assessment is ideal to determine the current skill level relative to the 15 emotional intelligence scales contained in this instrument.

George Anderson
, http://www.andersonservices.com
 Anderson & Anderson
, APC, 310-207-3591

 

The Etiology of Anger Does Not Offer Solution to its Managememnt

The Etiology of Anger Does Not Offer Solutions to its Management

If one comes across a person who has been shot by an arrow, one does not spend time wondering where the arrow came from, or the cast of the individual who shot it, or analyzing what type of wood the shaft is made of, or the manner in which the arrowhead was fashioned. Rather, one should focus on immediately pulling out the arrow.

–Shayyammuni, the Buddha

It is a popular notion in some anger management programs to focus on identifying the ‘triggers’ which may cause a person to behave angrily. It is common to observe in anger management process groups, participants explaining how someone “pushed my buttons”.

This notion takes away the responsibility of the angry perpetrators responsibility for his or her aggression and or violence. We are responsible for our own behavior regardless of the circumstances.

Rather than focusing on the cause of ones anger, it is far more productive to learn to recognize the initial signs of irritation, frustration, discomfort or whatever other emotions precede your anger, labeling these feelings and developing tools to stop the anger from becoming destructive to you or someone else.

While assessments are useful in anger management intervention, rarely is it worthwhile to examine “triggers or buttons” which may lead to anger. Few, if any legitimate Emotional Intelligence Assessments include questions on triggers or buttons.Think of a Juke Box, if you push the button for a particular tune and something else plays, over time you will give up pushing that button because you do not hear the tune which you expected. Similarly, if the person who is responding to the “triggers” ceases to respond, that issue is close to resolution.

Anger management assessments should assess for anger, stress, assertive communication and other emotional intelligence scales. Skill enhancement in the 15 Bar On EQi Scales should be taught in all anger management classes or coaching.

George Anderson, MSW, BCD
www.andersonservices.com
www.aaamp.org
www.anger-management-resources.org
_________________
George Anderson is a Diplomate in the American Association of Anger Management Providers.

Anderson & Anderson Anger Management Facilitator Certification Approved by VA

Anderson & Anderson becomes the first Anger Management Training Organization to be approved TIER 1 for SPECIAL ADVANCEMENT for ACHIEVEMENT by the Veterans Administration for the training of Clinical Social Workers.

This new status permits the Certified Clinical Social Worker the opportunity to receive an increase in pay or promotion based on this training. For a list of Anderson & Anderson Anger Management Facilitator Certification Trainings in Merced, Oakland, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle and San Juan click here: www.andersonservices.com.

For information or to enroll in any of these training, contact at 310-207-3591.

George Anderson, MSW, BCD, CAMF

Diplomate, American Association of Anger Management Providers

New Concierge Anger Management Certification Training

We are listening to our providers. Our April trainings in Los Angeles and Chicago convinced us that flexibility in the location, size and comprehensiveness of our training for new Anger Management Facilitators /Coaches needed to be revisited. With this new information in mind, we have decided to list trainings in as many cities and countries as feasible between now and December.

This will include trainings in San Juan, Bermuda, Bahamas, Orlando, Boston, New York, Seattle, San Diego and Atlanta. These three -day trainings will be limited to between 6 and 10 participants.

Why not combine you Certification Training with a vacation in a city of your choice. We will try and keep the expenses down by using Hotels located near the Air Port in each city. Let us know if you have a location that you want us to consider.

Please Bookmark a link to our website to keep up with new listings at http://www.andersonservices.com.

The new trainings will reflect our shift to the Bar On EQi Emotional Intelligence Assessment and The EQ Edge that are now included in all new trainings. Coaching is surpassing group classes as the intervention of choice. Therefore, basic concepts on coaching will be included in our trainings.

George Anderson, MSW, LCSW, BCD, CAMF

 

 

 

 

Open Letter to VA Licensed Clinical Social Workers

One of the best kept secrets in Social Work is the fact that Clinical Social Workers employed by the Veterans Administration are eligible to become certified in the internationally recognized Anderson & Anderson Anger Management Curriculum.

The Anderson & Anderson Anger Management Certification is approved for SAA for Licensed Clinical Social Workers who are career employees of the VA.

If you would like to attend the three day live Anderson & Anderson training inLos Angeles,Merced,San JoseorOakland, CA. please visit our website at http://www.andersonservices.com or phone us at 310-207-3591.

If you would like to Co-Sponsor an Anderson & Anderson training in your city, we are willing to schedule a seminar in your city at your convenience. Our only requirement is a guarantee of 5 prepaid participants.

George Anderson, LCSW, BCD, CEAP

Diplomate, American Association of Anger Management Providers

Co-Sponsor Training

The Anderson & Anderson® Anger Management Certification Training is now the industry standard and is recognized worldwide. This curriculum is currently being used by Fortune 500 Companies, hospitals, schools, jails, prisons, and colleges. You or your organization can add anger management to your areas of specialization and lower training cost by co-sponsoring a small concierge training in your city.

What your school or organization provides:
• Notification to the surrounding mental health professionals, substance abuse professionals, schools, colleges, probation departments and group homes.

Benefits of Co-Sponsoring
• One FREE seat for each day of training ($500.00) based on your organization’s guarantee of 5 persons per day.
• Total elimination of travel and per diem expense
• Acknowledgement of your organization on all marketing brochures and web page announcements.
• Recognition as a leader in state of the art anger management Certification Training.

What Anderson & Anderson Provides
• Quality training and provider Certification in Anger Management.
• Expert Instructors
• Anderson & Anderson curricula and client workbooks.
• Approved training for correctional staff, educators, substance abuse counselors, mental health professionals and the faith community.

Schedule an Event today. Contact our office at 310-207-3591.

Quite Frankly George Anderson Is THE Anger Management Guru

What comes to mind when you think of anger management? Some would describe anger management as a method to control one’s emotions. Others, like me, would think of Jack Nicholson and Adam Sandler in the motion picture film Anger Management. Until recently, there was no right answer. Anger Management was just a term thrown around, and clearly, no one knew what it was. That was until George Anderson and his team of associates not only defined the term, but set the standard. Since then, Mr. Anderson and his team have never looked back.

Still never heard of them, eh? The Anderson & Anderson program is internationally renowned, and, currently, they are the largest provider of certified Anger Management Facilitator training in the world. George Anderson and his ideals have been featured in the New York Times, the Baltimore Sun News, the Toronto Sun News, ESPN, the Los Angeles Times Magazine, NBC’s Starting Over, the Chicago Tribune, Entertainment Weekly, the London Sunday Times, BBC, and many more. Along with his lifetime of accolades, Mr. Anderson shed his knowledge on Hollywood when he served as a technical consultant on the well-known green lit film, Anger Management. By now I’m sure you are starting to see the big picture. Some of L.A.’s most elite make the drive down Wilshire Boulevard, proving that the Anderson & Anderson business model is one of L.A.’s most untapped resources.

Affiliates of Anderson & Anderson are popping up all over the internet like chicken pox. Don’t believe me? Take a look for yourself. Currently there are over 75 web sites affiliated with the Anderson & Anderson business model and their merchandise. Quietly, Mr. Anderson has become the godfather in a relatively unchartered industry. He has certified trainers mentored personally by himself all over the world, in countries like Argentina and London. Over time the business mogul of 12301 Wilshire Boulevard has set the bar as the most prominent anger management provider of the world, quite frankly in an industry that Mr. Anderson defined himself. So maybe next time when you think anger management, you will think Anderson & Anderson.

Andrew Singer
Intern
Anderson & Anderson, A.P.C.
Trusted Name in Anger Management