Anger management

• What does Nocavo suggest ?

  that cognitive factors trigger the emotional arousal that precedes aggressive acts
• aggressive emotional response are cognitive processes that can be controlled with a form of CBT
• Offenders can use techniques learned from CBT in stressful situations to manage their anger
• Anger Management programs are a form of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT); they aim to change the way a prisoner thinks and, therefore the way they act.
• What are the three stages of anger management?

  • Cognitive Preparation

   • Skills Acquisition

  • Application Practice
• Cognitive Preparation

  Offenders learn how to assess their own thoughts for triggers of irrational aggressive emotion. Examples from their lives are used and reinterpreted
• Skills Acquisition

  Ways to control anger are developed:

  Cognitive: Mantras/positive self-talk statements

  Behavioural: Assertiveness training to communicate more effectively

  Physiological: Calming/relaxation exercise e.g. 54321
• Application Practice

  Therapist and offender play out role play scenarios that would have caused an aggressive response. Offenders use skills developed in stage 2 to stay calm.

  If the offender deals successfully with the role play scenario then this is given positive reinforcement by the therapist