Anger Management – Therapists, Counselors and Coaches in Knoxville

From a very young age Tommy was always exceptionally good at anything he did. It didn’t matter the subject, sport, or activity, he always found a way to be the very best. His cockiness began to get the best of him as time went on. One day he was hanging out with his friends after school, playing Halo 3. His team lost their battle because of a simple error from another player. He threw the controller against the wall and yelled, “Andrew, what the F! You had one job.” His friends all sat in stunned silence thinking, “It’s just a game.”

Anger problems often begin in childhood. Instead of letting them compound over time, it would be reasonable for Tommy’s parents to get him help now. Anger counseling is for anyone who feels they respond inappropriately to angry feelings, and it also benefits those who don’t have the skills to express themselves in a healthy way. Both children and adults can benefit from seeing a Thriveworks Knoxville anger therapist.

Anger is a powerful emotion. It surfaces when we deal with real and perceived injustice in life. There’s nothing wrong with anger; it’s one of the many emotions on a wide spectrum. In fact, worse than anger is suppressed anger—anger that is not processed and expressed in a healthy way.

While anger is perfectly normal, it is incredibly destructive when it surfaces every time something small goes wrong. It can also threaten the wellbeing and safety of people around the angry individual. Frequent or destructive anger can lead to relationships issues, problems at work, and even disruptions to your health. If you are at the point where it feels like anger controls you, it’s time to seek help. Thriveworks Knoxville counseling knows how painful and frustrating uncontrolled anger can feel for both the person suffering and those around them. Anger counseling has helped thousands of people, so if you think you’re a candidate for anger counseling, contact us. We’re ready to help.

How Can Counseling Help?

You may be wondering how you’ll know whether it’s time to seek professional help. The good news is, that’s the easy part: if you think it’s even a remote possibility you might benefit from anger management counseling, it’s time to call a counselor. If your problem is significant, you likely are certain you need some help resolving it, in which case Thriveworks Knoxville counselors are here to help. And, if your problem isn’t quite as severe, Thriveworks Knoxville counseling can help you develop techniques to prevent your anger from becoming an issue that interferes with your life. Regardless of how severe you feel your struggle with anger may be, Thriveworks Knoxville counselors can assess the intensity of your feelings, rate how often you experience anger, and note how you express it. If what we find is concerning, we’ll work with you to determine what’s triggering your anger and how to respond to those triggers in a healthier way.

Signs of an anger problem include:

• Responding to a situation with inappropriately intense anger
• Your relationships have been negatively impacted by your response to anger
• General tension
• High blood pressure

Each person is different, and so treatment plans vary from person to person. However, all anger counseling has some common goals. Your anger management therapist will help you learn what triggers your anger, develop relaxation techniques, and learn to respond calmly in stressful situations. Often, anger management patients have unresolved trauma in their past that is causing them to react inappropriately. Once that trauma is resolved, they are able to keep their cool because they are no longer walking around feeling threatened.

Alternatively, we see many anger management clients who need help with being assertive. Thriveworks Knoxville counselors can help you learn to remain calm while asserting yourself in situationally appropriate ways. Anger counseling, after all, isn’t meant to prevent you from ever becoming angry; it’s meant to teach you how to respond and express that anger in a constructive way.

Steps to Take Immediately

If you decide to contact Thriveworks Knoxville Counseling for anger management, you won’t have to wait long to get help. However, there are a few steps you can take in the meantime to help you immediately (The Mayo Clinic):

• Anger often causes us to speak before we think. That’s because we, in some ways, are defending ourselves from a perceived threat and want to act immediately to stop that threat. Unfortunately, this can result in negative consequences ranging from hurt feelings to problems at work. Instead, take a moment to close your eyes and breathe deeply. This may be difficult to implement at first, but it’s one of the most beneficial changes you can make.
• Sometimes we put children in time-out because we are the ones who need a break. If something stressful is about to occur, go ahead and put yourself in time-out for five minutes. That short break to breathe calmly and affirm your plan to react calmly can help your reactions be healthier and more constructive.
• Finally, relax. That doesn’t mean you have to learn to meditate—though that’s certainly an excellent thing to do. Figure out what positive actions you can take that soothe you. Take a walk around the block, pet a dog, or get in a hot bath—whatever helps you feel calm.

Thriveworks Knoxville Anger Counseling

Thriveworks Counseling, in Knoxville, TN, has talented therapists and counselors who can help you manage your anger. They will help you focus on coping skills so the incredible Hulk doesn’t emerge on the daily. Won’t it be a relief to not lash out at friends and family when situations don’t go as planned?

Thriveworks Knoxville therapists are ready to help you improve your relationship with anger. We don’t keep a waiting list, and we can usually see new clients within 24 hours.

Further Reading
The Mayo Clinic. “Anger management: 10 tips to tame your temper.” MayoClinic.org.