My Online Anger Management Class Experience

I knew that I needed an online anger management class; that something had to be done about my anger. There was a definitive pattern in my past, and trying to conquer it all alone was not going to get me anywhere; it was time for a change. I looked up a number of anger management techniques at first, trying to figure out if I can intellectualize this, see if I could “reprogram my wiring” myself. But no. I was going to need a structured program, somebody to walk with me, by my side, to get through this.

I found Dr Joe’s online anger management class. It was good because it was a mix of video, reading and anger management exercises that were personalized to me. The online content was good, because it linked to a lot of material out of the proper website, out to online encyclopedic articles, as well as news clippings. I thought that was helpful, because it help to frame the greater context for me. It help me to understand and get my bearings about anger management.  These sessions were good because I got to learn how to communicate about the issues that were close to the core of what set me off half the time. I got used to talking things out instead of getting riled up. And I was able to put the anger management techniques that I learned online to use.

And the in-person anger management class was good, but not as great as the online version. To be frank, I actually was a bit squeamish about showing up. I thought it would be like an AA program or something with childish anger issues. I was expecting a lot of court ordered anger management criminals there. But when I got to the in person anger management class it turned out to be a mixture of people like me and people who were put into a court ordered anger management class.  The problem was that it was mainly a one size fits all experience and it didn’t dig deep into what was causing me to not be able to control my anger. Also, a lot of the people in the class were not very motivated.  All in all, I found the online anger management class to be a better experience.

I recently received this note from “Mr. X” comparing his in person experience with online anger management course experience and thought I would share. Dr. J.