Women’s Anger Management Group Challenges Stereotypes

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) August 9, 2010

Most people think of managing anger as a man’s problem, but a growing number of women are looking for help with managing their own anger. To address this need, on August 7 Deer Valley Counseling started a Women’s Anger Management Group in Phoenix.

“More and more women are entering the workforce, juggling careers and children, and achieving roles of leadership and responsibility. With this added responsibility and stress, expressing anger appropriately has become a real challenge. Getting angry is normal and healthy. But expressing anger in the form of rage can damage relationships and hurt careers. Expressing anger passive-aggressively can be just as bad, causing long-term resentment. Our course teaches women the skills to manage their anger in an appropriate, healthy way,” said Sandra Nettles, Deer Valley Counseling Clinical Director (http://deerval.com/People/SandraNettles.htm).

The Women’s Anger Management Group meets on Saturdays at 3 pm at the Deer Valley Counseling Phoenix office. Topics include communication styles, assertive behavior, recognizing hidden anger, relaxation techniques and other coping responses (http://deerval.com/AngerManagement.htm). It is an ongoing group that can be joined at any time. The program takes about 12 to 14 weeks to complete.

When asked why she offers separate groups for women and men, Sandra responded “Women and men process their anger in different ways. When you mix women and men in one group, it tends to turn into a battle of the sexes. By having separate groups, it is easier to keep the focus on the real issue, which is for each person to take personal responsibility for their own emotions.”

“The techniques involved are fairly simple. The hard part is changing old habits. That is why we make the course around twelve weeks long – to give people time to let the new ways of doing things become new habits. That is also why we recommend the group format. You get the benefit of not only the therapist’s feedback, but also feedback from other group members. You get to see how other people are managing their anger. You also get to learn that you are not alone,” said Sandra.

Sandra has been conducting anger management groups for ten years. She currently facilitates the Men’s Anger Management Groups in Phoenix and Mesa. She also does anger management training in individual sessions for men, women and couples. Shanelle Shorter is facilitating the Woman’s Anger Management Group, under Sandra’s direction.

With offices in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa, Deer Valley Counseling provides a wide range of counseling services including marriage counseling, parenting, anger management, treatment for depression, anxiety, grief, alcoholism, substance abuse and gender issues. More information can be found by calling 602-750-8051 or visiting http://deerval.com/.

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