Anger Problems
In the course of couple counseling excessive anger sometimes is identified as a separate issue requiring individual attention. The feeling of anger, like all feelings, is a natural part of a relationship. However, when anger is expressed in intimidating and defensive ways, it interferes with open communication. Our anger work is usually done in individual sessions coordinated with the couple counseling.
In these sessions we help individuals recognize the particular factors that trigger their anger, how angry feelings can build up and intensify, and how their expression interferes with safety and trust. Clients learn to interrupt their anger pattern before it becomes out of control. Most important, they work to identify underlying painful feelings, such as fear, humiliation and hurt, which are being expressed as anger. They learn to express these core feelings in an open, vulnerable way without resorting to defensive anger.