Seven Steps in Anger Counseling
(Taken from my degree studies with National Christian Counselors Association. Copyrighted by NCCA 1997)
- ACKNOWLEDGE ANGER (willing to admit)
- CONTROL THOUGHTS (problems of anger begin as seed thoughts of self-pity, discouragement, jealousy, or some other negative thought.)
- DISCERN THE CAUSES OF ANGER (what is making angry right now: people, events, personal fears, limitations, and irrational beliefs or expectations.)
- CHALLENGE IRRATIONAL BELIEFS (mentally challenge any irrational beliefs and acknowledge correct ones)
- DO NOT BE BOTHERED BY EVERYTHING (being slow to anger means possessing a mind-set that allows people to recognize and accept the normal troubles that come with living and relating to others)
- CONSIDER THE GOALS FOR RELATIONSHIPS (goals for the relationship in terms of the Christian’s responsibility to love and serve others)
- DEVELOP PEACE OF MIND (holding anger back and taking time to work at changing anger responses develops an increasing sense of control and patience and peace)