Across different care settings, practitioners routinely see clients whose anger reactions contribute to significant loss and suffering. While anger is a frequent and universal human emotion, it has received surprisingly little attention as a clinical problem.
When addressing anger, practitioners commonly engage in unproductive conversation (e.g. clients venting about unfair actions of others) and struggle to help clients move away from impulsive reactions toward more thoughtful decisions and behaviors likely to lead to better outcomes.
In this session, participants will practice identifying the key features of client anger reactions by applying a 6-stage Anger Episode Model Interview to understand how anger is experienced and expressed in the client’s real-life interactions. The analysis of anger episodes forms the groundwork for effective case management and collaboratively identifying relevant intervention goals. A flexible menu of well-established interventions for managing anger difficulties will be reviewed.
This workshop is highly interactive, incorporating structured learning activities that include recorded work samples, small group exercises, and “real”-plays. This session provides an efficient way to update your knowledge and skills in this challenging clinical area.
Learning Objectives
In this workshop, participants will:
1. Understand common anger myths and learn about scientifically supported anger facts
2. Be able to understand client anger reactions according to a 6-step sequential anger episode model
3. Practice conducting an anger episode interview to efficiently identify relevant anger components in clients’ typical reactions
4. Acquire knowledge of empirically supported interventions and additional resources to help clientele with dysregulated anger
Meet the Trainer:
Raymond Chip Tafrate, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and Criminology and Criminal Justice professor at Central Connecticut State University. He is on the advisory board of the forensic special interest group for the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, the editorial board for Criminal Justice and Behavior, and a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers.
Dr. Tafrate frequently consults with criminal justice agencies, programs, and community mental health centers and has trained thousands of professionals to work more effectively with adolescents and adults with difficult-to-change problems such as anger dysregulation and criminal behavior. He has presented his research throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
His most recent anger podcast from the American Psychology Association is:
- American Psychological Association, Speaking of Psychology (March 2022). How to keep anger from getting the best of you.
His most recent books are:
- The practitioner’s guide to anger management: Customizable interventions, treatments, and tools for clients with problem anger
- Anger management for everyone; Ten proven strategies to help you control anger and live a happier life
- CBT with justice-involved clients: Interventions for antisocial and self-destructive behaviors
- Forensic CBT: A handbook for clinical practice
CCEH Member Rate: (TBD)
Non-Member Rate: (TBD)
Please contact Amber Freeman at afreeman@cceh.org if you have any questions or concerns.