Family Aggression Replacement Training

1. Family Aggression Replacement Training Night 2

2. Night 2 Agenda • Family ART folders • Rules • Anger Control Training • Skillstreaming Skills • Role plays • Intro to Hassle Log • Homework

3. Rules • Come to class prepared • Cell phones and other electronic devices need to be turned off • Participate actively • Be respectful of everyone • What is said in group, stays in group

4. A-B-C’s of Anger • A – Activator • What triggered the problem? What led up to it? • B – Behavior • What did you do (the actual response to A)? • C – Consequence • What were the consequences (to you and to the other person)?

5. Anger Control Training • Triggers • Cues • Anger Reducers • Reminders

6. Triggers • Every conflict situation has an activator (A). We call these triggers. • The trigger is what arouses your anger. • Triggers can be external or internal.

7. External and Internal Triggers • External Trigger • An external trigger is something done by one person that makes another person angry; verbal or nonverbal. • Example: Someone bumps into you at the store, a stranger is staring at you, a car cuts you off in traffic. • Internal Trigger • An internal trigger is what you say to yourself to after an external trigger. These thoughts combine with external triggers to escalate your anger. • Example: “He did that on purpose”, “What does she think she is looking at?”, “If you are in such a hurry, you should have left sooner, idiot!”

8. Cues • Cues are physical signs that let you know you are angry. • Examples: muscle tension, knots in your stomach, clenched fists, teeth grinding or a pounding heart • What cues does your body give you when you are angry? • Complete the “Cues” grid in your folder

9. Anger Reducers • Using an anger reducer will help lower your arousal levels and increase self control and personal power. • Anger reducers can be a first step in using new behaviors that give you greater self control and more time to respond effectively.

10. Anger Reducers • Deep Breathing • Deep breathing means taking a few slow, deep breaths to which you pay full attention to. • This can help you make a more controlled response in a pressure situation. • Deep breathing can reduce tension by relieving physical symptoms of tension. • Inhale for 4 counts, then exhale for 4 counts. • Counting Backward • Counting backward is a way of reducing tension and increasing personal power. • Counting backward lowers your arousal level and gives you time to think about how to respond. • Count backward silently at an even pace. • If appropriate, turn away from the anger provoking person or situation. • Pleasant Imagery • Imagine yourself in a peaceful scene. • Think of scenes you find peaceful and relaxing. • Go through all five senses and focus on the experience of each sense in your scene. • “You are lying on a beach. The sun is warm. There is a slight breeze that moves your hair. You can smell the salt in the air. You hear seagulls in the distance.”

11. Reminders • Self instructional statements or positive self talk used to help increase success in pressure situations of all types. • Reminders can be very helpful in situations where you must try very hard to keep calm. • Complete the “Reminders” grid in your folder

12. Examples Self Instructional Statements Positive Self Talk Good, I am hanging in there I’m dealing with this very well I can handle this Good job not yelling I can control myself This is going to turn out well for me I got this • Take it easy • Relax • Calm down • Chill out • Cool off • This isn’t worth it • Develop a plan • Just walk away • Take a time out

13. Making a Complaint • 1. Decide what your complaint is. • 2. Decide whom to complain to. • 3. Tell that person your complaint. • 4. Tell that person what you would like done about the problem. • 5. Ask how he/she feels about what you’ve said.

14. Hassle Log • Example of a Hassle Log • Why use a Hassle Log? • Provides an accurate picture of a conflict • Helps you learn about what makes you angry and how you handle those situations that make you angry. • Provides material for role plays

15. Hassle Log-Sample Conflict Yesterday morning at the grocery store, someone bumped into me with their cart. I was pretty angry because I didn’t have a good morning and that just made it worse. I yelled “Watch where you’re going!” He just walked away.

16. Homework • Hassle Log • Importance of completing the homework • Feel free to complete and submit your homework online! • http://www.btcwichita.com/ess/lessons/family_art.html • Due at the next meeting!