Helpful Information: Anger Management Therapy in New York City

We all experience anger.  Sometimes it’s expressed in ways that threaten various aspects of one’s life; often, anger is suppressed or out of awareness which leads to acting out. However anger manifests for you, it may be creating problems in your life. Therapy can help you identify triggers, understand the source of your anger and teach you methods for modifying behaviors. Anger management refers to therapeutic strategies that allow people to overcome excess feelings of anger, and to not act upon destructive impulses that anger may cause. Sometimes people have individual therapy sessions to work on anger management. In other cases, people may work in group therapy to assist them with anger management.

The most popular anger management model at present is based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). In this technique, those participating in therapy record moments when anger is at its greatest, identify feelings or “hot thoughts” that drive anger, list reasons why such thoughts may or may not hold true, and then reanalyze their level of anger. Emotions are generally rated on a percentage basis.

A person participating in CBT might start with a level 9-10 feeling of anger, and through this thoughtful process, bring this level down to a 4-5. One of the goals with CBT in anger management is to make people stop and think, and thus analyze their anger instead of resorting to actions destructive to themselves or other people. As people become more adept at CBT, they may be able to do this process on their own. Situations or “hot thoughts” that evoked anger before will be recognized and easier to dismiss in future triggering situations.

CBT also incorporates relaxation techniques, which can help those learning anger management to diffuse anger. These exercises might include deep breathing, as well as the normal analysis work associated with CBT. Most therapists recognize anger as an emotion used to mask deeper feelings of hurt such as grief, shame or sadness. Help is given in anger management training so that people can identify the deeper feelings behind anger. Often anger can be diffused when one recognizes other feelings driving it.

Anger management is successful to the degree at which people are truly willing to address their feelings of anger. Diagnosis of underlying conditions causing excess anger like personality disorders, severe depression, anxiety disorder, or bipolar conditions must also be made to identify those people who might need medication to fully recover. Anger management is certainly possible, and the CBT model does boast success when people actively embrace this process. As an option to clients willing to explore additional treatments, EMDR is very effective at helping people process the underlying sources of their anger. If you are interested in EMDR, don’t hesitate to call or email me for more information about this speciality practice.

Kim Seelbrede is a psychotherapist, EMDR therapist and integrative therapist with a private practice in New York City. In her Manhattan therapy practice, Kim has experience addressing the following concerns: relationships, marital difficulties, divorce, parenting, career, professional performance enhancement, anxiety, panic disorder, OCD, depression, loss/grief, adolescent psychotherapy, underachievement, perfectionism, identity issues, LGBT, body image, eating disorders, addiction, substance abuse, sexuality, PTSD, trauma, stress reduction, transitions, life purpose, health concerns, women’s issues, therapy for men, pain management and wellness. Kim Seelbrede has advanced training in EMDR therapy and Brainspotting and uses it with clients who prefer to work in this way, or when she feels it is a technique that will be helpful for the client. Clients include CEOS, senior executives, entrepreneurs, financial analysts, performers and creative individuals with a focus on helping them identify and remove barriers to success and happiness. Kim Seelbrede offers adjunctive EMDR, meditation and yoga therapy to medical and mental health professionals in New York City. To learn more about her psychotherapy approach, visit her therapy website at www.kimseelbrede.com call 646.248.9196 or email.

Kim holds a master’s degree in social work from New York University (MSW) and received advanced post-graduate training inpsychodynamic psychotherapy and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)  from New York University. Kim uses an eclectic approach which draws from attachment theory, object relations theory, self-psychology, ego-psychology, family systems, CBT, crisis counseling and solution-focused therapy with her clients as needed. Kim has pursued advanced education in the fields of psychology, wellness and complementary health care for nearly 10 years.  Kim draws from extensive education and life experiences including training from the Urban Zen Integrative Therapist Program (UZIT) during which she completed clinical rotations working directly with cancer and surgical patients at Hope Lodge and at Beth Israel Medical Center and has studied nutritional theories from leading experts in the field. Kim Seelbrede is an integrative healthcare blogger for the Urban Zen Foundation.

In her separate integrative therapy practice Kim Seelbrede works with healthy clients as well as clients facing and managing health challenges. Kim collaborates with health care providers and can provide support with the following techniques:  gentle yoga movement, restorative yoga poses, stress reduction, breath awareness (pranayama), controlled breathing techniques, guided imagery, meditation, nutrition, essential oil treatment (aromatherapy), Reiki, life coaching and contemplative care. All of these unique integrative therapy modalities provide a gentle and balanced approach to the following concerns:  pain, anxiety, nausea, insomnia, digestive issues, fatigue and serious chronic illness. Please email or call Kim 646.248.9196 with questions or to arrange a consultation in her Manhattan office. For more information about her holistic integrative therapy practice visit her at www.nyintegrativetherapy.com  follow Kim Seelbrede’s psychology, yoga and health-related tweets on Twitter or friend her onFacebook.

Kim Seelbrede offers adjunctive EMDR, meditation and yoga therapy to medical and mental health professionals in New York City.