Does Anger Management Work?

Does Anger Management Work?  Written by Ashley Pisciottano, UNF Communication Major and our Psychology Intern at D’Arienzo Psychological Group.

Listen to our Anger Management article here:

Anger management is for those whose anger gets out of control and destructive. Getting help and managing anger can greatly impact an individual’s quality of life.

Anger can arise from many triggers, such as a specific person, event, memory or personal setback. Anger management helps reduce an individual’s negative feelings and outbursts towards these triggers.

In anger management the therapist or psychologist will first need to find out what triggers an individual’s anger, and then develop strategies to keep those triggers from tipping the individual over the edge. The different strategies in anger management include:  relaxation, cognitive restructuring, problem solving, better communication, using humor and changing the environment (APA, 2016).

In each of these strategies the key goal is to teach an individual how to respond and get around angry triggers in a controlled way. It usually takes an individual 10 weeks to three months to learn these strategies (Castella, 2013). A person must be aware of their anger and use these strategies when they feel their anger emerging. Also thinking before acting out can save a person from many regrets.

Anger is associated with serious harm and in the worst case scenario, homicides may result (Fives, Kong, & Fuller, 2011). If an individual’s life is falling apart because of anger, they need to get help to avoid hurting their self or others around them. The individual dealing with anger issues must realize their faults and overcome them in a controlled, meaningful manner. Also learning from past experiences can help the individual handle a situation differently the next time it comes around.

Anger management works if a person is willing to change and makes the effort to get help!

 

References

APA. (2016). Controlling anger before it controls you. http://www.apa.org/topics/anger/control.aspx

Castella, T. (2013). Luis Suarez: Does anger management actually work? http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-22264123

Fives, C.J., Kong, G., & Fuller, J.R. (2011). Anger, aggression, and irrational beliefs in adolescents. Cognitive Therapy Research,35:199-208.

Does Anger Management Work? Yes it does. Call us today to participate in one of our face to face or online anger management programs.

D’Arienzo Psychological Group Main Anger Management Page

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Prescription Privileges for Specially Trained Psychologists

Psychologists are scientist-practitioners relying on real evidence and science when treating and evaluating patients. Adding to this training model, I want to share something I’m genuinely excited about that is both a personal and professional milestone that reflects my commitment to the evolving profession of psychology and expands what I hope to one day be able to offer patients in Florida.

In May 2026, I graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Postdoctoral Master’s Program in Clinical Psychopharmacology, an American Psychological Association’s (APA) designated program that prepares licensed psychologists for prescriptive authority in states where it is permitted. More recently (July 2026), I passed the Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists (PEP). The PEP is the national exam required for psychologists to pass who want to prescribe. It is an arduous test covering topics from clinical medicine, neuroscience, laboratory interpretation, general pharmacology to psychopharmacology. Passing it marks another real step forward in building advanced competency in this area. I worked my tail off to complete the program and pass the PEP while running our business, remaining active in the community and with my family, and seeing patients over the last two and a half years. My next step with psychopharmacology is to gain authority to prescribe in Louisiana and New Mexico. I will keep you updated. 

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