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Anger management programs offer the individual plenty of information regarding techniques and strategies for dealing with anger. Is there anger management therapy available for those who feel the need to take their treatment a step further?

In the early 1970’s, a psychiatrist named Aaron T. Beck, M.D, developed an anger management therapy focusing on problem-solving. This therapy initially called Cognitive Therapy is now also known as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy or CBT. Beck worked with patients for years using his psychiatric knowledge but was burdened to see his patient’s treatment making only slow progress. Beck wanted to use a more intense approach to anger management therapy.

Cognitive Therapy is a form of anger management therapy which helps a person to correct or change specific details in their thinking. These details, involving negative feelings, will likely lead to anger and cause behavioral problems. Beck realized that it is during the thinking process, negative thoughts are formed which lead to changes in emotions and behavior.

Dealing with children who have anger problems may be challenging and require thought and imagination. A child’s mind is normally not developed enough to deal with intense feelings of anger. They cope with these emotions in their own childlike manner which usually involves acting out or throwing a tantrum.

Unaware of the specifics which cause these behavioral actions, children are not prepared to explain or share their feelings. Finding programs and resources for effective anger management in children will likely require planning and well thought out programs.

A person who is developing an anger management program for children needs to consider activities and exercises that may interest children. Sticking a child in a support group setting or arranging an appointment with a psychiatrist will not likely produce positive results.

Since the child doesn’t understand their feelings of anger themselves, it would be difficult to share or talk about them with others. Children would benefit from anger management worksheets for children and activities designed specifically to address their problems.