Transform[ED]: Transform[ED]: TransformationTransformation

al Educational Education

An OverviewAn OverviewBy Julie Christiansen,By Julie Christiansen,

Author of Anger Solutions™ and Author of Anger Solutions™ and When the Last Straw FallsWhen the Last Straw Fallswww.angersolution.com

Meet Jeff AngerMeet Jeff Anger 25 years old25 years old Habitual violenceHabitual violence Domestic aggression Domestic aggression

(verbal and physical)(verbal and physical) Addiction issues Addiction issues

(drugs and alcohol)(drugs and alcohol) Separated from wife of Separated from wife of

less than 2 yearsless than 2 years Estranged from son Estranged from son

from a previous from a previous relationshiprelationship

Recent charges Recent charges stemming from stemming from domestic incident domestic incident prior to separationprior to separation

Chronic contact with Chronic contact with the law since age 14the law since age 14

Fresh out of detoxFresh out of detox UnemployedUnemployed Homeless (couch Homeless (couch

surfing)surfing)

*This IS his real name; we have his written permission to use his story… in fact, he begged me to use his real name.

How did we get from there…How did we get from there…to here?to here?

Alcohol and drug free for close to 3 years*Alcohol and drug free for close to 3 years* Steadily employedSteadily employed Free of criminal justice system for the first Free of criminal justice system for the first

time since age 14time since age 14 Fully reconciled with wife – now 2 children, Fully reconciled with wife – now 2 children,

and attempting to re-establish connection and attempting to re-establish connection with his estranged sonwith his estranged son

No physical violence in the home (or No physical violence in the home (or outside) since program exit (3.5 years as of outside) since program exit (3.5 years as of June 2008)June 2008)

A Brief History of “Anger A Brief History of “Anger Management”Management”

Term coined in 1975 by Raymond Term coined in 1975 by Raymond NovacoNovaco

Popularized by the media and with Popularized by the media and with psychologists in the mid ’90spsychologists in the mid ’90s

Anger Management treatments are not Anger Management treatments are not regulated and are diverse in range and regulated and are diverse in range and approach; methodologies differ as wellapproach; methodologies differ as well

Despite all of this, Anger Management Despite all of this, Anger Management is generally accepted as a valid, useful is generally accepted as a valid, useful form of treatment for anger.form of treatment for anger.

What is Anger and Should it be What is Anger and Should it be “Managed”?“Managed”?

Anger is an emotion – one of the basic Anger is an emotion – one of the basic emotions experienced by humankind emotions experienced by humankind

The American Heritage® Dictionary: The American Heritage® Dictionary: angeranger(n.) (n.) A strong feeling of A strong feeling of displeasure or hostility.angerdispleasure or hostility.anger(v.)(v.)

Dictionary.com: manage (v) to take Dictionary.com: manage (v) to take charge or care of (things/systems); to charge or care of (things/systems); to dominate or manipulate (persons); to dominate or manipulate (persons); to handle or train (animals); be in charge handle or train (animals); be in charge (in business)(in business)

Management is for Systems – Management is for Systems – Not PeopleNot People

Happiness is not managed – it is…Happiness is not managed – it is… Grief is not managed – it is…Grief is not managed – it is…

Expressed!Expressed!

Anger can be expressed; but we need Anger can be expressed; but we need the skills and the tools so that we the skills and the tools so that we can express it effectively, safely, and can express it effectively, safely, and appropriately.appropriately.

Anger Solutions™Anger Solutions™

Is about Anger Resolution – not Is about Anger Resolution – not Anger ManagementAnger Management

Draws from the most successful Draws from the most successful evidence-based practices for anger evidence-based practices for anger management:management:– Cognitive Behaviour TherapyCognitive Behaviour Therapy– Rational Emotive Behaviour TherapyRational Emotive Behaviour Therapy– Solution-Focused Therapy (aka Brief Solution-Focused Therapy (aka Brief

Therapy)Therapy)– Reality TherapyReality Therapy

Anger Solutions™ Anger Solutions™ PhilosophyPhilosophy

Keep it simpleKeep it simple Combine the best of evidence-based Combine the best of evidence-based

practices and therapeutic practices and therapeutic approachesapproaches

The WIT Model (whatever it takes)The WIT Model (whatever it takes)– CBT – mean attendance 63%CBT – mean attendance 63%– Average success rate for those who Average success rate for those who

complete: 70%complete: 70% More on these numbers laterMore on these numbers later

Anger Solutions™ ApproachAnger Solutions™ Approach

Simple and easy to understandSimple and easy to understand Presented in a way that enables Presented in a way that enables

clients to assimilate their new skillsclients to assimilate their new skills Hands-on vs. theoreticalHands-on vs. theoretical Flexible to meet diverse client needsFlexible to meet diverse client needs Deliverable in 1- hour format for Deliverable in 1- hour format for

weekly sessionsweekly sessions

Anger Solutions™ Anger Solutions™ ExpectationsExpectations

Significant increase in self-esteemSignificant increase in self-esteem Decrease or discontinuation of use of Decrease or discontinuation of use of

drugs or alcohol as self-medicationdrugs or alcohol as self-medication Self-reported improvement in overall Self-reported improvement in overall

quality of life of participantsquality of life of participants Improvement in quality of mental healthImprovement in quality of mental health Significant decrease in physical ailments Significant decrease in physical ailments

and physiological effects of stressand physiological effects of stress

Jeff Transform[ed]Jeff Transform[ed]

Meet Sandra*Meet Sandra* 36 years old with two teenaged children (15 and 17)36 years old with two teenaged children (15 and 17) Married and divorced twice, and approximately 6 months into Married and divorced twice, and approximately 6 months into

a new relationship a new relationship Sandra says she has a temper and mostly takes it out on her Sandra says she has a temper and mostly takes it out on her

children; however, she recognizes that her patterns are children; however, she recognizes that her patterns are maladaptive and wants to change. maladaptive and wants to change.

GOAL: Change behaviour so that she can relate better to her GOAL: Change behaviour so that she can relate better to her children, and be able to have a lasting, loving relationshipchildren, and be able to have a lasting, loving relationship

Peak physical condition, but has several stress-related health Peak physical condition, but has several stress-related health problems: nosebleeds, abdominal problems, headaches, and problems: nosebleeds, abdominal problems, headaches, and nausea. Unaware of the link between stress and her poor nausea. Unaware of the link between stress and her poor health.health.

On a scale of 1 – 10 Sandra rates her anger on any given day On a scale of 1 – 10 Sandra rates her anger on any given day at about a 6 or 7. at about a 6 or 7.

She scores over She scores over 700 700 on the Holmes Life Change Units on the Holmes Life Change Units assessment (anything over 300 is cause for concern). assessment (anything over 300 is cause for concern). 

*Not her real name… but her story is very real*Not her real name… but her story is very real

Sandra Transform[ed]Sandra Transform[ed] Accomplishments and ShiftsAccomplishments and Shifts

– Huge understanding of how and why anger developsHuge understanding of how and why anger develops– Understanding others’ anger and frustrationUnderstanding others’ anger and frustration– Learning how to diffuse my anger (and others)Learning how to diffuse my anger (and others)– Applying learned skills – communicationApplying learned skills – communication– Overcoming some fear of speaking opinion because I learned how Overcoming some fear of speaking opinion because I learned how

to handle negative responses without getting angryto handle negative responses without getting angry Skills LearnedSkills Learned

– Learned how to evaluate my emotions/developmentLearned how to evaluate my emotions/development– Learned to pay attention to others body language and styleLearned to pay attention to others body language and style– Still learning listening skills, but much betterStill learning listening skills, but much better– I have learned so much about human action/reaction, control, I have learned so much about human action/reaction, control,

tactics, communication stylestactics, communication styles Distinctions UnderstoodDistinctions Understood

– Difference between emotions – anger vs. frustration, Difference between emotions – anger vs. frustration, disappointment, vs. Sadness, differences between aggressiveness disappointment, vs. Sadness, differences between aggressiveness and assertivenessand assertiveness

– Understanding physical ramifications of unresolved emotionsUnderstanding physical ramifications of unresolved emotions

*Doing her next Iron Man in 36 *Doing her next Iron Man in 36 DaysDays

Sandra Transform[ed]Sandra Transform[ed]

““As you can see, I am not a As you can see, I am not a small person and I just lost small person and I just lost 20lbs in December when I 20lbs in December when I was sick.  I used to weigh was sick.  I used to weigh over 200lb and smoked over 200lb and smoked like a chimney believe it or like a chimney believe it or not!  Quit when I was 25 not!  Quit when I was 25 yrs old.  Did my first Iron yrs old.  Did my first Iron Man 6 years later in 2001!”Man 6 years later in 2001!”

““I believe we can do I believe we can do anything we put our minds anything we put our minds to!  Including changing the to!  Including changing the way we behave, as you way we behave, as you taught me.  You changed taught me.  You changed my life Julie!” my life Julie!”

A Taste of Transform[ED] A Taste of Transform[ED] conceptsconcepts

What is Stress?What is Stress?

Richard S Lazarus: Richard S Lazarus: Stress is a condition or Stress is a condition or feeling experienced feeling experienced when a person when a person perceives that perceives that “demands exceed the “demands exceed the personal and social personal and social resources the resources the individual is able to individual is able to mobilize.”mobilize.”

The Physiology of Stress…The Physiology of Stress…

Fight or FlightFight or Flight Increased heart rateIncreased heart rate Blood is diverted away from extremitiesBlood is diverted away from extremities Blood thickensBlood thickens Body becomes sweaty (to cool skin & Body becomes sweaty (to cool skin &

muscles)muscles) Excretory system shuts downExcretory system shuts down Hormones work to make body produce blood Hormones work to make body produce blood

sugarsugar Oxygen is diverted to heart, lungs & musclesOxygen is diverted to heart, lungs & muscles

Stress Less Strategy Stress Less Strategy Take Response-AbilityTake Response-Ability

E+R=OE+R=OEvent + Response = OutcomeEvent + Response = Outcome

It isn’t what happens to you, but what you It isn’t what happens to you, but what you DO about what happens that determines the DO about what happens that determines the outcomes in your life!outcomes in your life!

Transform[ED] is about CHOICETransform[ED] is about CHOICE Choosing to RESPOND rather than to REACTChoosing to RESPOND rather than to REACT Choosing your outcomes rather than Choosing your outcomes rather than

allowing them to be imposed on youallowing them to be imposed on you

What are You What are You Tolerating/Procrastinating?Tolerating/Procrastinating?

Think about Think about it!it!– Write it downWrite it down

Talk about it!Talk about it!– How to make this How to make this

negative energy negative energy positive…positive…

Getting Past the PastGetting Past the Past

My storyMy storyYour storyYour storyThe The processprocess

Transform[ED] is…Transform[ED] is…

Transformational educationTransformational education Making decisions about your life and Making decisions about your life and

choosing carefully the outcomes you choosing carefully the outcomes you wantwant

Trusting yourself and othersTrusting yourself and others Learning to accept, forgive, and Learning to accept, forgive, and

changechange A lifestyle choice – not a quick fixA lifestyle choice – not a quick fix

Transform[ED] in Your Transform[ED] in Your CommunityCommunity

Corporate Corporate ProgramsPrograms– Stress BustersStress Busters– Overcoming Overcoming

Conflict, Negativity, Conflict, Negativity, and Anger in the and Anger in the WorkplaceWorkplace

– 90 Day Challenge90 Day Challenge– Workplace SurvivorWorkplace Survivor

Community Community ProgramsPrograms– Anger Solutions™ Anger Solutions™

Programs and Programs and ResourcesResources

– Anger Solutions™ Anger Solutions™ for Kids – NEWfor Kids – NEW

– Anger Solutions™ Anger Solutions™ for Youth at Risk – for Youth at Risk – NEWNEW

ResourcesResources Anger SolutionsAnger Solutions Anger Solutions at WorkAnger Solutions at Work Anger Solutions by the Anger Solutions by the

BookBook When the Last Straw FallsWhen the Last Straw Falls Getting Past Your PastGetting Past Your Past Top Ten Lists to Live ByTop Ten Lists to Live By Bullying is Not a GameBullying is Not a Game Overcoming Anger Conflict Overcoming Anger Conflict

and Negativity at Workand Negativity at Work

Available at: www.angersolution.com

Let the Transformation Let the Transformation Begin!Begin!

For questions you may For questions you may have after today, have after today, please e-mail me at:please e-mail me at:

info@angersolution.com

Visit my blog:Visit my blog: http://angersolution.bl

ogspot.com