My first anger management class

This is my second week interning for Daybreak Counseling Services and I am truly pleased with what I see and what I have learned. I have had the experience of sitting with one of the instructors as well as the owner while they teach. In my observation I see people who have been ordered to attend the classes as well as walk in clients sit and learn together how to control their anger and understand their anger. What I loved most from the moment I entered the class was that the class is a very friendly welcoming environment where people are free to ask questions, and interact with the instructor as well as one another. I like the fact that every class is different in what you learn and that each instructor has a different way teaching but each way is so effective. I have seen people who come in a little annoyed that they have to attend the class walk out smiling. This class is a tool for everyone who wants to learn how to manage emotions and behaviors. As I learn how to teach the class I am also learning how to improve myself and manage my stress level with the many demands and expectations in my daily life. Crystal Gee Anger Management Intern http://daybreakservices.com

Kids Games Teach Anger Management

A website for kids is offering kid games that teach kids social skills, including one on anger management. KidsEducationShop.com has come up with several games and encourages parents, child caretakers, and pediatricians to try them out with children. They sell board games, play kits, and other activities for children. They have games for kids in grades 2-5, as well as grade six and higher. The games simulate several different social situations that include being a true friend, respecting others, and how to stay safe on the internet.

The game that they offer which teaches kids how to control their anger is called, “Escape from Anger Island”, and teaches kids six skills for anger management. Kids can play the game over and over to learn all of the skills, and the game also includes a checklist for each anger management skill. Founders Scott Smith and Denise Kellison focused on making sure that the games were safe and educational.

Pull in case of emergency - Anger Management Checklist

Play Lava Flow The Anger Management Game

Why should you have a checklist for how to control your anger? Or a plan of action? Because when you are angry you don’t think well and don’t have the ability to make wise decisions. By falling back on a check list you have an easy guide to follow when you are feeling angry, out of control and not thinking clearly.

Here are some ideas for a checklist for how to control your anger; however it is also important to add other coping skills that you know work for you:

COUNT to 20

Count to 20 in order to give yourself much needed space of time between stimulus and response. This gives you a chance to think clearer and be more grounded about any decisions you are going to make.

Remember to Breathe

Breathe deeply while counting to 20. How you feel is largely determined by your physiology- how you move, your posture, etc. By breathing slowly and deeply you decrease your blood pressure and put your body into a more relaxed state.

Laughter doeth good like a medicine

Focus on any humor you can find in the situation. Since our emotions are controlled by what we focus on, if you focus on the humor of the situation it has a way of becoming an anger release valve.

Music calms the savage beast

Put on some soothing music. Music has a way of affecting our emotions. Take advantage of it by listening to some music that is relaxing.

Walk it off

Walk away or remove yourself from the situation for however long it takes to compose yourself. By leaving the situation for a bit and getting some distance from it you get the chance to collect yourself and decide how to respond in a more grounded state.

Lets get Physical

Do some type of physical exercise. This can be a great release when anger seems to have you tied up in a knot. Walking, running, biking or lifting weights are just a few ways to take advantage of this.

If you experience more than mild anger, take the next step and find an anger management program where you will learn more skills to deal more effectively with your anger. Anger management classes can help to free yourself and it is a place where you learn how to control your anger and feel more in control of your emotions.

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The Death of Osama Bind Laden: Revenge vs. Justice

As the new spread Sunday night that President Obama had an important national security announcement to make many began to speculate about the specifics. As the announcement was delayed news media outlets began to leak the fact that Osama Bind Laden, the worlds most wanted terrorist had been killed. In an anti-climatic statement

President Obama confirmed what was already known around the world. Nevertheless spontaneous chants of USA broke out across the nation. America was rejoicing in the death of a mad man. For some reason my elation did not match many of those on my twitter feed or on television. I could not bring myself to rejoice in the death of a man even if it were a mass murderer. It got me to thinking about the subject of revenge versus justice.

Like many Americans my anger was hot when I witnessed the destruction of the twin towers on 9/11. I grieved the lives of thousands of men, women and children. Henceforth thousands of American soldiers have given there lives in defense of our country. Over the years, (10 years to be exact) my anger has waned. The images of twin towers collapsing did not produce as strong of an emotion. 10 years ago I was ready to join the armed forces at the ripe age of 30 to exert my revenge on the bastard that dared to attack my country but now I was comforted with justice.

What is the difference between justice and revenge you ask? As someone who has treated hundreds of people in anger management classes over the years I have seen people burn with the yoke of revenge and others who found comfort in the idea of impending justice.

Revenge can be defined as “To inflict punishment in return for injury or insult” but I think for many it holds a deeper emotional meaning. Many of my anger management clients are driven and sometimes haunted by thoughts of revenge. It consumes their thoughts and dictates their every action. Revenge is also fueled by anger. Most are angry at an injustice or a perceived injury and can not seem to let it go. I understand forgiveness can be a difficult act when we have suffered a great loss and I do not ask all my clients to make a choice to forgive, sometimes they are just not ready. I do ask my clients to give up the right to inflict vengeances upon the offender themselves. I ask them to pray for justice and if need be demand justice.

Justice takes the responsibility and burden out of your hands. Justice allows you to apply point hope on the present and the future rather than the past. When your ex has cheated on you or your boss consistently berates you in front of your peers thoughts of revenge can seem sweet but overtime they turn bitter and exhausting.

Justice is sometimes quick but mostly agonizingly slow. It took 10 years for justice to prevail in the case of the United States. We demanded Justice and did not forget the horrendous crimes of Osama Bin Laden but we also insured her birth in a systematic pursuit, not allowing emotion or obsession abort her.

Daybreak Counseling Service
www.daybreakservices.com
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855 NO ANGER
855 662-6437

Baddest Grils in LA

Hi Shannon,

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. As I explained in our conversation I am producing a new reality show. It will be called The Baddest Girls In L.A., which will focus on girls residing in Los Angeles, California and their anger management issues.

I am looking for a therapist that can handle group sessions with the girls on weekly basis for an hour, on camera, in exchange for credits on the show and our website.

If you can think of anyone or organization that this would interest please have them send me an email or call me at 310.920.7288.

Thank you,
Nicole
Dangerous Diva Productions
Find Us On Facebook at: The Baddest Girls In L.A.
Follow Us On Twitter at: @baddestgirlsnla


Lava Flow the Anger Management Game

Anger Management Agency gives back at Christmas

Daybreak Counseling Service a national provider of anger management classes helps make a better Christmas for local children.

In conjunction with the Los Angeles Department of Public and Social Services and Bunche Middle School in Compton, California Daybreak is sponsoring 3 underpriviledged young girls ages 6-10 by helping to buy toys, clothes and other items during the Holiday Season.

Shannon Munford, anger management expert the CEO and President of Daybreak Counseling Service states, "The biggest deterrent to anger is a smile. Giving is a two way street when we help another we are helping ourselves."

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Auto-tune and anger management

Experience shows there are 8 basic tools one can learn to manage anger. These tools include: Effective stress management, learning to respond rather than react, forgiveness, adjusting expectations, changing the conversation with yourself, developing empathy, taking time outs and assertive communication.

Auto-tune and anger management

Many of us need to apply a little Auto-tune to our communication styles. When we communicate people recoil from the sound. Auto-tune is a computer program that adjusts and modifies the pitch of many of today's Country, R&B and Pop singers.

Assertive communication is most likely the most important skill anyone can learn in an anger management class

How we communicate in a disagreement can make the difference between a relationship ending argument or a productive intimacy building conversation. Your tone, volume and pace are key communication factors in how someone receives what you are saying.

Tone

Your tone of voice expresses emotional. Vocal tones can be warm, shrill, or uninviting. The best way to identify your tone is to record your speech in a variety of interactions. One way to adjust your tone is to smile when communicating.

Volume

Can you take it down a notch?

When we yell and scream we put people on the defensive. Many people raise their communication volume when they want to get a point across. Unfortunately it has the opposite effect. When your volume is at a 10 rather than a 5 most people shut you off and begin to prepare for a counter response. They feel they are being attacked. Try lowering your voice and see how people respond differently.

Pace

When we get excited, anger or frightened our breathing become more rapid. Consequently when we try to speak in these altered states the pace of our communication increases. Slowing down tells the other party and your brain that no one is in danger. When you speech is at a calming speed the other party will respond appropriately by matching your rate.

Daybreak Counseling Service
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310-995-1202