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Anger Management Skills 101
Perhaps your slide into the criminal justice system started with an an-
ger-related misdemeanor charge – destruction of property (vandal-
ism), disturbing the peace, road rage, a bar fight, an aggressive dispute
with a neighbor, or assault and battery. In such cases, an arrest and
court appearance often result in court-ordered anger management
classes in lieu of jail time. The classes are usually organized into 8, 16,
26, and 52 one-hour weekly sessions and are available in the follow-
ing formats: group sessions, one-on-one coaching, and online. Given
the nature of the offense, the court mandates how many sessions the
offender must attend and the specific format. In these classes, partic-
ipants are supposed to learn key anger management skills, such as:
n improve interpersonal relationships
n manage stress
n define boundaries
n stay calm
n understand anger triggers
n communicate assertively
n increase empathy
n improve judgment
n control impulsive behaviors
n develop effective self-talk
Designed to satisfy court, legal, or employment requirements, these
courses have become increasingly popular with employers, lawyers,
judges, and offenders. Many participants actually change their lives
because of the self-control skills acquired through these classes. Had
the offender been sentenced to jail, fired, or otherwise punished,
chances are they would have become even angrier! The costs of their
anger: lots of time and money involved in going to court and attending
anger management classes. This is by no means a free pass to freedom.


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