Handbook of Anger Management and Domestic Violence Offender Treatment

275 Pages·2016·1.15 MB·English

by  Ronald T. Potter-Efron

HANDBOOK OF ANGER
MANAGEMENT AND DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE OFFENDER TREATMENT
In the Handbook of Anger Management and Domestic Violence Offender
Treatment, Ronald T. Potter-Efron consciously connects anger manage-
ment and domestic violence, two long separated fi elds, and addresses
treatment options and intervention methods that meet the needs of
individual clients, couples, families, and groups. Therapists, counselors,
social workers, and other treatment specialists will fi nd this book a useful
overview and reference for anger and anger management techniques as
well as domestic violence approaches.
This new edition is split into three distinct sections:
• A description of anger and domestic violence focused upon helping
clients use the principles of neuroplasticity to dramatically alter their
behavior.
• Assessment for anger problems and/or domestic violence.
• Group treatment or individual, couples, and family treatment for
anger problems and/or domestic violence.
Woven through this book is a fair and balanced treatment of gender
issues, refl ected in the diversity of case examples that address jealousy,
chronic anger, behavioral problems, group and individual counseling,
and more. Readers are also shown how anger develops and can lead to
verbal and physical outbursts, the fi ve types of rage reactions, and how
to treat anger turned inward. Potter-Efron also details four different
approaches to treating anger: behavioral, cognitive, affective, and
existential/spiritual. Mental health professionals are provided numerous
questionnaires and worksheets to utilize with their clients. The Handbook
of Anger Management and Domestic Violence Offender Treatment is an
essential guidebook that illustrates effective theory and practice.
Ronald T. Potter-Efron, MSW, PhD, is Director of the Anger Management
and Domestic Violence Center at First Things First Counseling in Eau
Claire, Wisconsin. He is author of over fi fteen books on anger management
and related topics. His books for the general public include Angry All the
Time (2004) and Healing the Angry Brain (2012).
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HANDBOOK OF
ANGER MANAGEMENT
AND DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE OFFENDER
TREATMENT
Second Edition
Ronald T. Potter-Efron
Second edition published 2015
by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
and by Routledge
27 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2FA
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2015 Taylor & Francis
The right of Ronald T. Potter-Efron to be identifi ed as author of this work
has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in
any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing
from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks, and are used only for identifi cation and explanation
without intent to infringe.
First edition published by Routledge 2005
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Potter-Efron, Ronald T.
Handbook of anger management and domestic violence offender
treatment / Ronald T. Potter-Efron.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Anger—Treatment. 2. Family violence—Treatment. I. Title.
RC569.5.A53P67 2015
362.82’92—dc23 2014030929
ISBN: 978-0-415-71717-5 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-415-71718-2 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-87147-9 (ebk)
Typeset in Sabon
by Keystroke, Station Road, Codsall, Wolverhampton
This book is dedicated to the newest member of the family, Cédric
Alexandre Bertrand.
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CONTENTS
Preface xi
Acknowledgements xiii
PART I
Anger, Domestic Violence, and the Brain 1
1 The Angry Brain 3
What is an “Angry Brain”? 4
Emotions 6
The Limbic System 8
Neuroplasticity 11
Ten Things to Know about the Angry Brain 17
Healing the Angry Brain 24
Summary 25
2 Anger, Threat, Feeling Unsafe, and Domestic Violence 27
The Stressed and Traumatized Brain: Fear
and Anger 27
The Anger and Aggression Connection with
the Stressed Brain 30
Attachment Theory 32
Anger, Domestic Violence, and Attachment Styles 36
Romantic Jealousy, Fragile Self-Esteem, and
Attachment 38
Case Study: Excerpts from an Interview with
a Jealous Man 40
Attachment Theory Related Treatment
Strategies for Romantic Jealousy Concerns 42
vii
CONTENTS
Polyvagal Theory 44
Helping Clients Develop a Relatively Safe Sense
of Themselves and the World 46
Summary 49
3 R age: Predictor of Out of Control Anger, Aggression,
and Domestic Violence 50
What is Rage? 50
Varieties of Rage 52
Five Types of Rage 58
Summary 62
PART II
Assessment 63
4 Assessment for Anger and Aggression 65
General Concerns about Anger Assessment 65
Client Assessment 66
The Anger Styles Questionnaire 77
Anger Assessment as a Bridge to Treatment 82
Anger, Alcoholism, and Addiction 83
Case Study: Assessment of a Chronically Angry
Client with Multiple Problems 87
Summary 90
5 Domestic Violence: Core Information and Assessment 91
What is Domestic Violence? 91
How Common is Domestic Violence? 93
Which Gender Commits Acts of Domestic Violence? 94
Is Domestic Violence Unidirectional or Bidirectional? 94
Reasons People Use to Explain or Justify Acts of
Domestic Violence 94
Risk Factors 95
Anger’s Relationship with Domestic Violence 96
Theoretical Models of Domestic Violence 97
Assessment of Participants 106
Summary 110
viii
CONTENTS
PART III
Treatment 113
6 Intervention Approaches in Anger Management 115
Intervention Philosophies and Approaches 115
Treatment Intervention Areas in Anger
and Aggression Management 118
Behavioral Approach: Introducing Clients to an
Objective Change Focus 119
Cognitive Aspects of Anger Management 126
Affective Anger Management Approaches 131
Existential/Spiritual Anger Management Approaches 134
Effectiveness of Anger Management Counseling 137
Case Study: A Woman Angry at the Universe 138
Summary 141
7 The Anger and Aggression Cycle: A Therapeutic Model 142
Phase One: Activation 142
Phase Two: Modulation 144
Phase Three: Preparation 146
Phase Four: Action 147
Phase Five: Feedback (Including Empathy Training) 148
Phase Six: Deactivation (Including Forgiveness) 153
Case Study: How to Go Through the Anger
Cycle Very Badly 167
Summary 169
8 Group Treatment for Domestic Violence Offenders 170
Domestic Violence Offender Treatment Program:
Educational Focus 171
Extended Domestic Violence Offender Treatment Program 174
Women’s Domestic Violence Offender Treatment Groups 179
Cultural Diversity: LGBT and Ethnic Minority
Groups 181
Brain-Change Model for Domestic Violence
Offender Treatment 182
Case Study: Domestic Violence Offender Brain-
Change Program 192
Summary 195
ix