The Practitioner's Guide to Anger Management: Customizable Interventions, Treatments, and Tools for Clients with Problem Anger

by Howard Kassinove PhD, ABPP, Raymond Chip Tafrate PhD

Overview

The SMART approach to treating problem anger

As a therapist, you know that every client experiences anger in a different way. That’s why it’s so important to customize your treatment plan using the best tools available. Based on Howard Kassinove and Raymond C. Tafrate’s innovative and modular SMART (Selection Menu for Anger Reduction Treatment) model for treating anger, this groundbreaking professional’s manual offers an array of strategies to help you create an individualized treatment plan tailored to your client and their specific needs.

With this powerful, evidence-based guide, you’ll learn how to help clients understand and manage unhealthy anger. You’ll find motivational interviewing techniques, strategies for engaging clients in therapy, and tools for incorporating different treatment methods—such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)—into your sessions. Also included is direction for case formulation and treatment planning, as well as links to downloadable handouts, worksheets, and sample scripts that can be incorporated into real-world sessions. Using the effective SMART model outlined in this book, you can help your clients gain control over anger, successfully regulate their emotions, and live better lives.

Discover SMART interventions to help clients:

• Identify and alter anger triggers
• Enhance motivation and awareness
• Overcome impulsive urges
• Alter lifestyle habits
• Build distress tolerance
• Improve communication skills

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781684032884
Publisher:	New Harbinger Publications
Publication date:	12/01/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	352
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Howard Kassinove, PhD, ABPP, is a board-certified clinical psychologist, former chairperson of the psychology department at Hofstra University, and past director of their PhD program in clinical and school psychology. Kassinove is a fellow of the American Psychological Association, the American Psychological Society, the Albert Ellis Institute, and the Behavior Therapy and Research Society. Editor of Anger Disorders, he has published more than sixty papers, and has lectured widely in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Raymond Chip Tafrate, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, and professor in the criminology and criminal justice department at Central Connecticut State University. He is a fellow and supervisor at the Albert Ellis Institute in New York City, NY; and a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers. He frequently consults with criminal justice agencies and programs regarding difficult-to-change problems such as anger dysregulation and criminal behavior. He has coauthored numerous books, and has presented his research throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. He is coauthor, with Howard Kassinove, of the popular self-help classic, Anger Management for Everyone.

Table of Contents

Online Resources v

Preface and Acknowledgments vii

Introduction 1

Part 1 Anger Treatment Basics

1 Anger Fundamentals and SMART Anger Management 12

2 The Initial Sessions: Engagement 32

Part 2 Case Formulation and Treatment Planning

3 The Anger Episode Model 54

4 Assessment 78

Part 3 Preparing Clients for Change

5 Enhancing Awareness and Motivation 108

6 Psychoeducation 127

Part 4 Interventions to Alter Anger Triggers

7 Lifestyle Changes 146

8 Sidestepping Provocations 163

9 Social and Personal Problem Solving 172

Part 5 Interventions to Change Thoughts: Accepting, Adapting, and Adjusting

10 Promoting Realistic Thoughts and an Accepting Philosophy 186

11 Perspective Taking, Compassion, and Forgiveness as Antidotes to Anger and Resentment 208

Part 6 Interventions to Alter Internal Experiences and Urges

12 Overcoming Impulsive Urges and Increasing Tolerance for Distress 230

13 Tolerating Negative Words and Thoughts: Barb Exposure 246

Part 7 Interventions to Alter Anger Expression

14 Social and Interpersonal Skills 260

15 Assertiveness Training: Awareness, Actions, and Words 268

Part 8 Going Beyond Anger Management and Putting It All Together

16 Happiness 282

17 Applying the SMART Model to a Sample Case 295

References 319

Index 335

Interviews

Tafrate resides in West Hartford, CT; Kassinove resides in Rancho Mirage, CA (Riverside County).

Editorial Reviews

Kassinove and Tafrate’s The Practitioner’s Guide toAnger Management is a clinically rich and immensely practical resource for treatment service providers who work clinically with clientele who struggle with anger difficulties. Drawing on more than seventy-five years of combined clinical experience, the authors have penned a comprehensive and accessible anger treatment guidebook for mental health practitioners. Employing the SMART approach to anger reduction treatment, the work is replete with session scripts, intervention plans, exercises, and clinical vignettes, all of which translate core therapeutic concepts into practice. A repository of compassionate clinical wisdom, evidence-based practice, and sage recommendations, the book offers hope and help for people who struggle with anger, and is a valuable and trustworthy resource for clinicians working with this population.”
—Mark E. Olver, PhD, registered doctoral psychologist, and professor in the department of psychology at the University of Saskatchewan

Mark E. Olver

This book is the paramount resource for practitioners who seek to provide interventions for anger control problems. It is masterfully composed, conveying deep knowledge about anger and offering an impressive range of evidence-based treatment procedures. Among its superb features are a rich array of case illustrations and an abundant supply of clinical tools to facilitate case formulation, client engagement, developing pathways for therapeutic change, and gauging outcomes. It puts two top expert consultants right there on your bookshelf or laptop.”
—Raymond W. Novaco, PhD, professor in the department of psychological science at the University of California, Irvine; author of Anger Control; and coeditor of Using Social Science to Reduce Violent Offending

Raymond W. Novaco

In this compassionate, comprehensive, and engaging book, Kassinove and Tafrate provide clinicians with an invaluable guide to work with clients with anger problems. The authors convey their collective wisdom and experience as stellar anger researchers and clinicians in a clear and straightforward manner, and include engaging clinical examples and practical client worksheets. Given the prevalence and impact of anger-related problems, this volume is transdiagnostic and relevant to many disciplines and types of clients. This book will be an invaluable resource for clinicians ranging from those in training to seasoned practitioners, as well as a variety of allied health professionals (psychology, psychiatry, social work, nursing, etc.).”
—Alexander L. Chapman, Ph.D, RPsych, professor in the clinical science department of psychology at Simon Fraser University, coauthor of The DBT Skills Workbook for Anger and The Borderline Personality Disorder Survival Guide, and author of Phone Coaching in Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Alexander L. Chapman

If you treat clients with anger issues, you need Kassinove and Tafrate on your team. Their ‘anger episode model,’ carefully derived from research and empirically validated, is a comprehensive, proven approach which can be applied with confidence for anger-impaired clients of all stripes. The Practitioner’s Guide to Anger Management provides guidelines for assessment, understanding, and motivation, and clearly spells out empowering step-by-step procedures for helping clients understand, manage, and prevent unhealthy anger. This is the gold standard in anger treatment: nobody does it better.”
—Robert E. Alberti, PhD, retired psychologist, professor, author, editor, and publisher; and coauthor of Your Perfect Right

Robert E. Alberti

Anger has been a neglected emotion in psychology and clinical research. Not anymore. The Practitioner’s Guide to Anger Management by Kassinove and Tafrate is a complete and detailed resource on how to work with clients seeking help for dysfunctional anger. This book provides clinical strategies, and explains how to use them as part of a comprehensive treatment aimed at minimizing excessive anger and promoting peaceful and happy lifestyles. An essential and engaging read for all professionals in the behavioral and mental health fields!”
—Denis G. Sukhodolsky, PhD, ABPP, associate professor and director of the Evidence-Based Practice Unit in the Child Study Center at Yale University School of Medicine, and coauthor of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Anger and Aggression in Children

Denis G. Sukhodolsky

This well-written book is a treasure trove of clinical wisdom, effective techniques, and clear guidance. If I were asked to recommend a single resource for clinicians desiring to be effective in helping clients who struggle with problematic anger, this book would be it. Highly recommended!”
—Russell Kolts, PhD, professor in the department of psychology at Eastern Washington University, and author of The Compassionate-Mind Guide to Managing Your Anger

Russell Kolts

Although anger is considered a universally experienced emotion, most practitioners feel ill-equipped when treating clients who struggle with it. In this book, Howard Kassinove and Raymond Chip Tafrate—two well-established experts on anger—provide current, effective, and empirically based techniques in a manner that is clear and easy to read. The book is very thorough, covering a number of aspects of treatment, from the basics of relaxation and cognitive restructuring to those typically neglected in other manuals (e.g., assessment, happiness, lifestyle changes). This book is a necessity for any practitioner who works with clients who experience anger (i.e., everyone).”
—Michael J. Toohey, PhD, clinical psychologist, and core faculty of the clinical psychology PsyD program at Antioch University Seattle; and director of the Anger, Aggression, and Irritability Research Group for Antioch University Seattle

Michael J. Toohey

Tafrate and Kassinove excel in their book, The Practitioner’s Guide to Anger Management. Not only is it interesting and full of useful interventions and resources, but it is beautifully written and easy to read. They know the area well from their clinical and research experience spanning many years. Their SMART approach highlights the fact that the treatment of anger is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. They outline how to form a case conceptualization, and then select appropriate, research-based helping interventions from a range of options. This resource is not only a book for your shelf, but also includes client information sheets, client worksheets, and downloadable practice exercises. It would be of definite value in any professional’s tool kit.”
—Monica O’Kelly, PhD, FAPS, director of CBT Australia, honorary clinical associate professor at Melbourne University, and author of CBT in Action

Monica O’Kelly

Rather than simply telling you what to do, this book carefully explains how to best talk to someone about their anger, and how to conceptualize the key issues in a way that identifies which interventions are likely to prove most effective. You can then choose from a menu of carefully constructed activities—tried and tested through clinical experience, and firmly grounded in contemporary science—to best suit the circumstances in which you work. Written by internationally renowned anger practitioners and researchers, this really is a fabulous resource for anyone who wants to help someone to manage problematic anger. Essential reading!”
—Andrew Day, DClinPsy, enterprise professor in the department of criminology at the University of Melbourne in Australia; registered clinical and forensic psychologist who has previously worked in forensic settings in both Australia and the UK.; and published in the areas of offender rehabilitation and violence prevention

Andrew Day

This excellent book addresses a problem that many people struggle with. It uses a combination of ACT, CBT, and mindfulness techniques to help clients identify triggers, increase awareness, deal with urges, improve communication, and change lifestyle habits. It is written by experts who have extensive clinical experience addressing anger issues. This book should be in the libraries of clinicians, researchers, and graduate students.”
—Doody’s Reviews

Doody's Reviews

Tafrate and Kassinove excel in their book, The Practitioner’s Guide to Anger Management. Not only is it interesting and full of useful interventions and resources, but it is beautifully written and easy to read. They know the area well from their clinical and research experience spanning many years. Their SMART approach highlights the fact that the treatment of anger is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. They outline how to form a case conceptualization, and then select appropriate, research-based helping interventions from a range of options. This resource is not only a book for your shelf, but also includes client information sheets, client worksheets, and downloadable practice exercises. It would be of definite value in any professional’s tool kit.”
—Monica O’Kelly, PhD, FAPS, director of CBT Australia, honorary clinical associate professor at Melbourne University, and author of CBT in Action

Monica O’Kelly

“The Practitioner’s Guide to Anger Management by Kassinove and Tafrate is an outstanding book for any clinician or mental health provider who deals with anger. And that includes all of us. This is an intelligent, practical, and informative guide by two outstanding clinicians that provides the reader with all the tools you will need to help clients cope with anger. Should be required reading for all clinicians.”
—Robert L. Leahy, PhD, director of The American Institute for Cognitive Therapy, and author of The Jealousy Cure

Robert L. Leahy