Anger is a natural, human emotion. It can signal that something feels unfair, unsafe, or out of control. In healthy forms, anger can motivate change, protect boundaries, and highlight unmet needs. However, when anger becomes frequent, intense, or difficult to manage, it can begin to cause real harm. Relationships may suffer. Work performance may decline. Physical health can be affected through chronic stress, tension, or disrupted sleep. Many people also experience shame, regret, or confusion after angry outbursts, wondering why they reacted the way they did.
At Crossroads Counseling Services, we believe anger itself is not the problem, and working with an anger management therapist can help individuals understand what is happening beneath the surface and respond more effectively. The problem is often what happens when anger goes unrecognized, unregulated, or unsupported.
Anger management is not about eliminating anger or telling people to “calm down.” It is about learning how to understand emotional responses, regulate reactions, and respond in ways that align with personal values and long-term goals.
Why Anger Can Feel So Overwhelming
Anger rarely exists in isolation. It is often influenced by stress, trauma, anxiety, depression, substance use, or long-standing communication patterns. For some individuals, anger develops as a learned response, especially in environments where emotions were dismissed, punished, or modeled aggressively.
Others may suppress anger for long periods, only to experience sudden outbursts when the pressure becomes too much. In both cases, the nervous system is often operating in a heightened state, making it harder to pause, reflect, or choose a different response in the moment.
Anger management focuses on helping individuals understand what is happening beneath the surface, so reactions no longer feel automatic or out of control.
What Anger Is Trying to Tell You
Anger is often misunderstood as a problem emotion, but at its core, anger exists for a reason. It is a signal. It alerts us when something feels threatened, unfair, overwhelming, or unresolved. For many people, anger shows up when boundaries have been crossed, needs have gone unmet, or stress has been carried for too long without relief. It can also emerge when fear, hurt, or frustration feels unsafe or unfamiliar to express directly.
When anger feels sudden or intense, it does not mean you are “out of control” or broken. More often, it means your nervous system is responding quickly to protect you, sometimes faster than conscious thought can catch up.
Understanding anger in this way helps reduce shame. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with me?” the question becomes, “What is this anger trying to tell me?”
Anger management builds on this understanding. By learning to recognize the message beneath the emotion, individuals can respond with greater awareness and intention, rather than reacting automatically. This shift is often the first step toward meaningful and lasting change.
Common Myths About Anger Management
Anger management is often misunderstood, which can make people hesitant to seek support. Many individuals delay getting help not because they don’t want change, but because they’ve been taught inaccurate or incomplete ideas about what anger management actually involves.
One common myth is that anger management is only for people who are violent or “out of control.” In reality, many participants are individuals who feel overwhelmed, emotionally reactive, or stuck in patterns they want to change. Anger management is just as relevant for people who internalize frustration or struggle with communication as it is for those who express anger outwardly.
Another misconception is that anger management means suppressing emotions or learning to stay calm at all costs. Effective anger management does not teach people to ignore or shut down their feelings. Instead, it helps individuals understand their emotional responses and express them in ways that are healthier and more constructive.
Some people also believe anger management is only required for court involvement. While court-approved options are available, many individuals choose anger management voluntarily because they want to improve relationships, reduce stress, or feel more in control of their reactions.
At Crossroads Counseling Services, anger management is viewed as a skill-building process, not a punishment. The focus is on awareness, regulation, and communication, helping people respond thoughtfully rather than react automatically.
A Structured, Supportive Approach to Anger Management
At Crossroads Counseling Services, our Anger Management Program is designed to be practical, evidence-based, and compassionate. We recognize that each person’s experience with anger is different, which is why treatment begins with a comprehensive intake assessment.
During the intake process, an anger management therapist takes time to understand personal history, triggers, stressors, and goals. This allows us to determine the most appropriate treatment plan, which may include group sessions, individual sessions, or a combination of both.
Our curriculum is grounded in evidence-based materials from The Change Companies and Seeking Safety. These approaches emphasize emotional regulation, personal accountability, coping skills, and healthier ways of responding to stress and conflict.
Group Anger Management Program
Group sessions provide a structured environment where participants can learn, practice, and reinforce new skills while gaining perspective and support from others. Many people find that group work reduces isolation and helps normalize their experiences.
The group program includes:
- A 10-week structured curriculum
- 90-minute sessions
- Wednesdays from 3:00 to 4:30 pm
Groups are facilitated by Kellie Kennedy, CADC, Lead Anger Management Clinician, with support from Rebecca Lieberman, LCPC, CADC. Both clinicians bring experience, professionalism, and a nonjudgmental approach that balances accountability with encouragement.
Group sessions focus on education, discussion, skill practice, and reflection. Participation is guided and structured to ensure a safe, respectful environment for all members.
Individual Anger Management Sessions
Some individuals benefit from one-on-one sessions, either as a standalone option or alongside group participation. Individual sessions with an anger management therapist allow for deeper exploration of personal experiences, including past trauma, relationship patterns, or specific situations that contribute to anger.
These sessions are especially helpful for individuals who prefer privacy, have complex needs, or want more individualized pacing and support.
Skills You Will Learn and Practice
Anger management is about building tools that can be used in real-life situations, not just during sessions.
Participants learn how to:
- Identify personal anger triggers and patterns
- Recognize early warning signs before anger escalates
- Develop emotional regulation strategies and self-control
- Improve communication and conflict resolution skills
- Practice stress management and problem-solving techniques
- Strengthen healthy coping skills through structured guidance
Over time, these skills can help reduce the intensity and frequency of angry reactions, improve relationships, and support overall emotional well-being.
Court-Approved Anger Management Options
Crossroads Counseling Services offers court-approved anger management programming for individuals who are required to complete treatment as part of a legal process. We understand that court-mandated services can feel stressful or intimidating.
Our approach remains respectful, structured, and supportive, while ensuring all requirements for documentation and completion are met. The goal is not only compliance, but meaningful skill development that supports lasting change.
Fees and Session Options
Session options and fees include:
- Intake Assessment (1–2 hours): $225
- Individual Session (1 hour): $160
- Group Session (1–1.5 hours): $50
Insurance may cover services if a qualifying diagnosis is present, and discounts may apply. Our team can help answer questions about payment options and insurance coverage.
Why Choose Crossroads Counseling Services
Clients choose Crossroads Counseling Services because we prioritize both clinical excellence and compassionate care.
Our programs are led by licensed and certified clinicians who use evidence-based approaches in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment. We offer both in-person and telehealth options to ensure accessibility and flexibility.
Most importantly, we believe people are capable of change when they are given the right tools, understanding, and support.
Taking the Next Step
When anger begins to interfere with your relationships, work, or sense of well-being, it is often a sign that something deeper needs attention. You do not have to manage it on your own. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It is a meaningful step toward healthier emotional regulation, clearer communication, and stronger connections.
At Crossroads Counseling Services, we provide a supportive space to work with an anger management therapist to understand anger, develop effective coping skills and tools, and move forward with greater balance and confidence. If you are ready to take that next step, you can call 815-941-3882 or visit https://www.crossroads-helps.com/ to learn more about how we can help.
Sources
Birkley, Erica L., and Christopher I. Eckhardt. “Anger, Hostility, Internalizing Negative Emotions, and Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration: A Meta-Analytic Review.” Clinical Psychology Review, vol. 37, 2015, pp. 40–56, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2015.01.002.
Change Companies. Anger Management. Change Companies, https://shop.changecompanies.net/products/anger-management. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Seeking Safety. SAMHSA, https://www.samhsa.gov/resource/dbhis/seeking-safety. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.
Williams, Riccardo. “Anger as a Basic Emotion and Its Role in Personality Building and Pathological Growth: The Neuroscientific, Developmental and Clinical Perspectives.” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 8, 2017, article 1950, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01950.