Therapy for Anger Management
Gain control of anger and take charge of your life
It is normal to feel angry sometimes. However, when anger becomes a frequent, intense emotion that negatively impacts your relationships and daily functioning, it may be time to seek help.
Anger management therapy can provide valuable tools and techniques to better understand your anger triggers, improve your communication skills, and learn healthy ways to process and express your feelings of anger. With the professional guidance of our psychologist, you can gain insight into the root causes of your anger and make positive changes to improve your life and relationships.
Signs your anger may be an issue
Anger can be considered dysfunctional when it is expressed inappropriately or becomes overwhelming towards others.
Uncontrollable Rage
Your anger frequently escalates into rage that you cannot control, and may cause you to lash out verbally or physically at others in hurtful ways, often without thinking about the repercussions.
Disproportionate Irritability
Do small inconveniences or annoyances provoke an angry reaction in you that is disproportionate to the situation? For example, you may become enraged at traffic when you're running late or when a cashier staff is slow.
Difficulty Calming Down
You may stay angry for prolonged periods, have trouble relaxing and thinking rationally again, hold onto angry feelings, or become angry again quickly.
Frequent Outbursts
Uncontrollable rage over minor frustrations or perceived slights often stems from underlying anger that has built up over time due to unresolved issues.
Physical Reactions
When your anger frequently manifests in physical symptoms such as a racing heart beat, chest pain, sweating to shortness of breath.
Verbal or Physical Aggression
If you often behave aggressively when angry, such as name calling, yelling vulgarities, throwing objects around, punching the wall or physically hurting another person.
Functional Consequences
Your anger leads to strained relationships with family members, friends and/or colleagues. You may also potentially suffer legal or occupational consequences from your anger.
Causes of Dysfunctional Anger
Genetics & Family History
Having a family history of issues with anger.
Brain Functioning
Differences in the functioning of brain areas related to emotion regulation and impulse control.
Unresolved Trauma
Unresolved past traumatic experiences can lead to heightened emotional reactivity.
Chronic Stress
Presence of major life stresses, such as financial difficulties or work-related pressures.
Early Childhood Experiences
Childhood exposure to violence, abuse, or trauma. Observing constant uncontrolled anger, especially by parental figures, may lead some to model the behaviour.
Substance Abuse
Consumption of alcohol or drugs could impair judgment, leading to reduced inhibition and increased aggression.
Irrational Thinking
Having a tendency to think negatively or unrealistic expectations about oneself or the world.
Poor Coping Mechanisms
Lack of skills for communication or managing negative emotions may lead some to resort to aggression.
How Therapy Can Help with Anger Management
Our psychologist can help you to understand how anger works– such as how it arises, its physical effects to factors that improve or worsen it. You may also learn about how your past experiences may contribute to your anger.
Our psychologist can help you learn to use relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or mindfulness to calm the body’s physiological response to anger.
Meet our Psychologist
Lead Clinical Psychologist
Dr Jaswyn Chin
Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), James Cook University Singapore
Bachelors of Art in Psychology, Murdoch University Australia
Registered Psychologist with Singapore Psychological Society (SPS)
Languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese
Dr. Jaswyn is a registered clinical psychologist with over 10 years of experience. She has extensive experience providing intervention for various a wide range of mental health issues from anxiety, depression, grief, insomnia, OCD, personality disorders, stress management to trauma.
Dr Jaswyn adopts a person-centred approach to therapy where she believes in working collaboratively with individuals through the process of recovery. She is also trained in multiple therapeutic modalities including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and eye movement desensitisation reprocessing therapy (EMDR).
During her free time, Jaswyn enjoys music and plays the piano. She is also a keen learner of new languages and loves to travel.
Break free from Depression
Book your appointment with a PULSE+ psychologist
FAQ
A clinical psychologist usually has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master’s or Doctoral degree in clinical psychology. They would have received longer, more comprehensive training on psychological theories, mental health conditions, assessments, and therapeutic techniques. They are qualified to work with clients on a wider range of issues, from general life challenges, emotional problems, to mental health conditions.
A counsellor or therapist, on the other hand, usually holds either a bachelor’s degree in counselling or psychology and/or a postgraduate diploma or master’s degree in counselling, which usually focus on general counselling or therapy skills. A counsellor or therapist typically helps clients on general life problems and challenges, such as stress, family or relationship issues. They may not have the resources or capacity to handle mental health cases such as clinical depression, anxiety or other diagnosed psychological conditions.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have completed medical school with further specialised training in psychiatry. In practice, they focus on diagnosing and treating mental health conditions through prescribing psychotropic medications (e.g. antidepressants, anxiety medications). A psychologist, on the other hand, aims to help clients improve through therapeutic interventions. They focus on psychoeducation as well as changing the way clients respond (think and behave) to improve their conditions.
Psychiatrist consultations are usually much briefer than therapy sessions, typically ranging from 15 to 30 minutes. The session usually focuses on keeping track of the patient’s symptoms and responses to medication, and in adjusting the prescription. Some psychiatrists; although less common; may also provide psychological interventions.
It is common for clients with mental health conditions to see a psychiatrist to help alleviate some of their symptoms through medication, and also work with a psychologist to make longer-term changes that will help them recover from their conditions. Our psychologist would refer a client to also see a psychiatrist whenever it is deemed necessary.
There isn’t anything specific required from you. Our psychologist would guide you through the session by asking questions to get the information needed. Simply show up on time or slightly early on the appointment day to fill out the necessary forms.
The therapy sessions at PULSE is up to 60 minutes. When needed, there is also the option to extend the therapy time (charges apply).
This varies widely among clients and usually depends on many factors, including the severity of their conditions, or complications of their presenting issues, motivation towards the therapy work, and more. Some clients may resolve their issues within a few sessions, while others may need long-term support. As a general guide, four to eight sessions are more common.
PULSE+ Allied Health clinic is located at Camden Medical Centre, by Orchard Boulevard MRT.
Simply fill out our Appointment form below and we will get back to you to confirm the appointment.
Please visit our Charges page for our rates.
If you have further questions, you may SMS or whatsapp us at 9831 9912 or email us at psychologist@pulseallied.health.
Have more questions?
Visit our AskPULSE portal to ask our PULSE+ Allied Health specialists or PULSE TCM Physicians any questions about your health or our services.