Making Choices

what others have said

For the first time ever I'm not losing my cool at work. There was an incident the other day when I normally would have reacted and thrown my tools or sworn my head off, but I walked away and gave myself time out and came back and sorted the problem out rationally.
—28 year old male

 

It was helpful to hear other people's struggles trying to deal with their anger. The group was really supportive and encouraging and accepting of everyone. I really appreciated learning how to express my feelings and now I can talk things through instead of bottling everything up inside until I finally explode.
—45 year old male

 

I've always been quite placid and passive but began to realize that I was still experiencing deep feelings of anger in the form of resentment and hostility. I'm grateful for this course as it's given me a new way to manage and express these feelings instead of being scared of them and bottling them all up. Now I have a new direction to take in my relationship with my husband and am dealing with my step children more effectively.
—60 year old woman

 

I often used to lose the plot and break things when I exploded. This was particularly bad in my relationship with my partner, he would really cop it! Since doing Making Choices I'm much calmer and have found better ways of speaking to him when I'm angry.
—38 year old woman

...dealing with anger in relationships

what is it?

An 8 week program to assist participants understand the effect of anger on relationships and make healthy choices on ways to deal with anger.

what will I gain?

This program assists participants to:

• understand what triggers anger
• learn ways to express strong emotions positively
• recognise the influences of family of origin on behaviour
• understand the cycle of anger
• learn and use anger management strategies

program outline*:

Session 1
Understanding Anger
Understanding the cycle of anger.

Session 2
The Effects of Anger
Looking at the differences between anger and aggression and the impact anger has on others.

Session 3
Taking Responsibility
Recognising the way individuals build up anger and developing strategies for de-fusing emotions.

Session 4
Clear Communication
The differences between thinking and feeling and how to communicate them.

Session 5
Family Influences
How the past influences the present —in both obvious and hidden ways— and how patterns of behaviour develop.

Session 6
Expressing Anger Appropriately
Learning when anger is OK and ways to express it constructively.

Session 7
Better Communication
Ways to listen more effectively and improve other common communication problems in relationships.

Session 8
Maintaining Change
Reviewing learnings and setting goals to consolidate change.

*a one-on-one alternative
Making Choices program is also available with a counsellor. The objectives, content and program outlined are the same but is covered in 7 weeks. Designed for those who prefer one-on-one situations.

Please contact Interrelate at 1300 736 966 for your nearest centre