Everyone gets angry.
It can happen when we feel ignored, disrespected, overwhelmed, frustrated or treated unfairly. Sometimes anger can even be useful. It can tell us that a boundary has been crossed or that something in our life needs to change.
But what happens when anger starts to feel difficult to control?
If you find yourself searching for anger management in Doncaster, you might already be wondering whether the way you experience or express anger is beginning to affect you or the people around you.
The important thing to know is that seeking support for anger doesn't mean you're an "angry person".
Often, anger is only part of the story.
What can sit underneath anger?
Anger can sometimes be easier to express than other emotions.
Underneath it, there may be:
-
Stress or feeling overwhelmed
-
Anxiety
-
Hurt or rejection
-
Shame
-
Grief
-
Frustration
-
Feeling unheard or misunderstood
-
Difficulties within relationships
-
Experiences from childhood or previous relationships
-
Feeling powerless or out of control
You might notice that something relatively small triggers a reaction that feels much bigger than the situation itself.
That doesn't necessarily mean the situation is the real problem.
Sometimes our reactions are connected to things we've been carrying for much longer.
When might anger become a problem?
There's no test that tells you that you're "too angry".
Instead, it can be helpful to look at the effect anger is having on your life.
You might consider speaking to a therapist if:
-
You regularly regret things you've said or done when angry
-
Small situations seem to trigger very intense reactions
-
Arguments are affecting your relationship or family life
-
You find yourself shouting, becoming aggressive or losing control
-
You bottle everything up and then suddenly explode
-
You feel irritable much of the time
-
People around you have commented on your temper
-
Anger is affecting your work or relationships
-
You struggle to calm down once something has triggered you
-
You recognise patterns in your reactions but don't know how to change them
You don't need to wait until anger reaches crisis point before asking for support.
Anger isn't always loud
When people think about anger management, they often picture shouting, aggression or losing your temper.
But anger doesn't always look like that.
For some people, it looks like withdrawing from conversations, becoming defensive, holding grudges, making sarcastic comments or shutting people out.
For others, the anger gets turned inwards.
You may blame yourself, become highly self-critical or replay situations repeatedly in your mind without ever expressing how you really feel.
Understanding how you experience anger can be just as important as learning how to manage it.
Can therapy help with anger?
Therapy isn't simply about teaching you to "calm down".
It can provide a confidential space to understand what's happening before, during and after those moments of anger.
Together, we can explore your triggers, the thoughts and emotions behind your reactions and patterns that may have developed through previous experiences.
The aim isn't to remove anger completely.
Anger is a normal human emotion.
Instead, therapy can help you become more aware of what your anger may be communicating and find healthier ways of responding when difficult feelings arise.
Anger management and therapy in Doncaster
If anger, frustration or irritability is beginning to affect your relationships, wellbeing or everyday life, you don't have to work through it alone.
At Empower Me Therapy, I offer private therapy in Doncaster, as well as online sessions and walk-and-talk therapy for people who may feel more comfortable talking while outdoors.
My approach is integrative, which means therapy can be adapted around you rather than expecting you to fit into one particular way of working.
You don't need to arrive knowing exactly what's wrong or what you want to change.
Sometimes the starting point is simply:
"I don't like how I'm reacting anymore."
And that's enough to begin exploring what's going on.
Looking for anger management in Doncaster?
If you're looking for anger management, counselling or therapy in Doncaster, you're welcome to get in touch with Empower Me Therapy.
Sessions are £45 an hour, and I offer a free 15-minute consultation if you'd like to have an initial conversation before deciding whether therapy feels right for you. Contant me at info@empowermetherapy.co.uk or go to the contact page for more contact details
Empower Me Therapy | Therapy & Counselling in Doncaster
Face-to-face therapy in Doncaster | Online therapy | Walk-and-talk therapy