Publisher Description

Uncontrolled anger can be devastating, yet many people with serious anger issues don't know how to change their behavior. In Overcoming Destructive Anger, psychologist Bernard Golden, an anger management specialist, offers concrete tools for turning destructive anger into healthy anger. Dr. Golden draws on both compassion-focused therapy-a model for change that encompasses and expands on cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and practices in compassion and self-compassion-and theories of emotional intelligence. He teaches readers to recognize, sit with, and move beyond the triggers that cause destructive anger. Anger logs and other exercises, together with stories of people who were challenged by anger and able to overcome their outbursts, allow readers to explore the source of their anger and recognize its destructive potential. Emphasizing anger's link to habits of thinking, feeling, and physical reactions, Dr. Golden offers multiple strategies for coping with current hurts as well as past wounds. And he directs readers to helpful websites, books, and films. Dr.Golden explains why destructive anger happens and how it can contribute to divorce, estranged families, job loss, addictions, and even imprisonment. Emphasizing the importance of making calm, constructive choices and cultivating self-empathy, this guide will free people with destructive anger-and those around them-to live more fulfilling lives.

Author Biography

Bernard Golden, PhD, the founder of Anger Management Education, has been a practicing psychologist for almost forty years. He is the author of Healthy Anger: How to Help Children and Teens Manage Their Anger and Unlock Your Creative Genius.

Table of Contents

Preface
PART I. Introducing Anger
1. Understanding Unhealthy Anger and Healthy Anger
2. What Are the Challenges to Cultivating Healthy Anger?
3. How Mindfulness and Mindfulness Meditation Can Help
4. The Role of Self- Compassion
PART II. Using Mindfulness and Self-Compassion to Overcome Destructive Anger
5. Cultivating Self-Compassion
6. Mindfulness and Self-Compassion for Your Body
7. A Framework for Understanding Anger
8. A Tool for Exploring Anger Arousal
9. Mindfulness and Self-Compassion for Your Feelings
10. Mindfulness and Self-Compassion for Your Thoughts
11. Self-Compassion for Healthy Anger
PART III. Healing Relationships by Changing the Anger Response
12. Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Compassion for Others
13. Self-Compassionate and Compassionate Interactions with Others
14. Committing to the Practice of Healthy Anger
Notes
Resources
Index

Review

Golden's years of research into anger management, his clinical work with clients struggling to manage their anger, and the sharing of his process of controlling his own anger connect the dots in this valuable work. Library Journal This book is a breath of fresh air. This is a practical resource that can bee utilized by both the lay person and those who work in healthcare. It is no more prevalent for one than the other. It is written in a manner that all readers could benefit from. Golden supports his readers to acknowledge where they are in regards to experiencing destructive anger, then supports them to appraise the situation and develop realistic expectations to cope. This author has done a fantastic job of addressing a subject that is still much a taboo in many areas of today's society. Golden has sensitively and cohesively presented a framework for anger as long with clear guidance around how to utilize this effectively. Nursing Times

Promotional

Overcoming Destructive Anger successfully weaves together mindfulness strategies to help readers recognize and control triggers while changing the way they experience anger. An effective resource for anyone looking for information and strategies that are easy to understand and practice. -- Kathleen Trainor, PsyD, Harvard Medical School A lifeline for those who struggle with the devastating consequences of destructive anger, this wonderful book will help people cultivate a healthy relationship with anger by cultivating a healthy relationship with themselves. It is filled with wise and compassionate insight into how to understand and work with feelings of anger. -- Kristin Neff, PhD, University of Texas at Austin, author of Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself In this step-by-step guide, Dr. Golden offers an innovative combination of skills to transform the harsh inner environment that leads a person to unhealthy anger. This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to drop the sword and make friends with themselves and others. -- Christopher K. Germer, PhD, Harvard Medical School, author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion: Freeing Yourself from Destructive Thoughts and Emotions Dr. Golden explains how anger develops and is sustained, and why self-hatred lies at the core of many chronic anger problems. Combining clear descriptions with valuable exercises, Overcoming Destructive Anger focuses on helping readers develop self-compassion and use mindfulness meditation in overcoming their anger issues. -- Ronald T. Potter-Efron, PhD, author of Rage: A Step-by-Step Guide to Overcoming Explosive Anger

Long Description

Uncontrolled anger can be devastating, yet many people with serious anger issues don't know how to change their behavior. In Overcoming Destructive Anger , psychologist Bernard Golden, an anger management specialist, offers concrete tools for turning destructive anger into healthy anger. Dr. Golden draws on both compassion focused therapy--a model for change that encompasses and expands on cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and practices in compassion and self-compassion--and theories of emotional intelligence. He teaches readers to recognize, sit with, and move beyond the triggers that cause destructive anger. Anger logs and other exercises, together with stories of people who were challenged by anger and able to overcome their outbursts, allow readers to explore the source of their anger and recognize its destructive potential. Emphasizing anger's link to habits of thinking, feeling, and physical reactions, Dr. Golden offers multiple strategies for coping with current hurts as well as past wounds. And he directs readers to helpful websites, books, and films. Dr. Golden explains why destructive anger happens and how it can contribute to divorce, estranged families, job loss, addictions, and even imprisonment. Emphasizing the importance of making calm, constructive choices and cultivating self-empathy, this guide will free people with destructive anger--and those around them--to live more fulfilling lives.

Review Text

""This is a self-help book that could be useful for anyone who experiences destructive anger. It may be most beneficial when used in conjunction with therapy. The book explores compassion-focused therapy and mindfulness in an easy-to-understand format, which takes the reader from the basics of both what anger and mindfulness are, through to more advanced techniques on how to manage the anger.""

Review Quote

"This is a self-help book that could be useful for anyone who experiences destructive anger. It may be most beneficial when used in conjunction with therapy. The book explores compassion-focused therapy and mindfulness in an easy-to-understand format, which takes the reader from the basics of both what anger and mindfulness are, through to more advanced techniques on how to manage the anger."

Promotional "Headline"

Tools for breaking free from mindless anger and the suffering it brings.

Details