Certified Anger Management

Verbal Abuse by instructor - Mary Fowler - Jun 14th 2005
My 21 year old son went to anger management class last night and came home in tears. The instructor singled him out by cursing; calling him names and belittling him in front of others also told him he would not give any credit for his class. It was his first time there first offense and we do not know if this in normal for a class please help.

There is never an excuse for this type of behavior. Anger management classes need to be facilitated by people who know their own anger, know their own buttons, and have learned to manage them. To behave aggressively and abusively to a student in a class violates professional ethics and common courtesy. It reveals an inept instructor who has not yet mastered even the rudiments of anger management.

This is why it is so important that anger management facilitators be certified. Certification, such as completing the world-recognized Anderson & Anderson training program, ensures that a facilitator has at least learned minimum standards of professional behavior and is working with a proven curriculum.

Years after completing my certification, I continue to do research, to read the latest articles, and to participate in continuing education classes. Although not everybody who facilitates anger management needs to be a licensed psychotherapist, those with licensure are bound to high levels of ethical and professional behavior.

Mary, I'm sorry your son was abused in a class that should have instead modeled an effective way of managing and containing strong emotions. On behalf of the entire anger management community, I apologize.