Faith-Based Anger Management Training

A person sometimes realizes for herself that she needs help with anger management. This is usually a gradual process. It is quite a step to admit that you have a problem and other people are often involved. You may have hurt or distressed your partner, colleagues or family members. Sometimes your agreement to attend anger management training may come as part of an ultimatum. You may choose to look to a church for help. Because many people do look to a faith group in this situation, many churches offer help in this area.

Why Religious Groups Get Involved

• Faith groups routinely become involved in this issue for several reasons. Church members sometimes work within the criminal justice system. Religious ministers and pastors often visit prisons and spend time with people whose anger problems have led them into serious difficulties. Religious people also believe that people are fundamentally redeemable. Unlike many other people and groups in society, they think that a criminal can make reparation and change.

What Religion Can Offer The Angry

• Many people who have made big mistakes and been rejected by their family and friends find solace in religion. It may be that they can get comfort from prayer and from the friendship of other church members. At this stage, people who struggle with anger management may have tried other ways of dealing with their problems. They may have reached a low point and for some this is when they let faith into their lives.

Therapy

• Faith-based organizations hold both individual and group anger management sessions. Some groups may work with the courts -- for instance, helping with domestic violence situations. People who have anger management issues come from all walks of life and the therapy sessions may need to be focused accordingly. A church youth group, for instance, might appropriately explore young people's specific problems.

Techniques

• Most faith-based anger-management techniques will combine psychological therapies, such as counseling and behavior therapies, with a religious approach. This might aim to convince the subject that he is not alone, that he can turn to God for help when he feels that his feelings are too difficult for him to handle. Faith-based programs may also teach relaxation therapy and alternative coping strategies.