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Course content:
 
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Overview:

Being irritable and angry is remarkably common, and can devastate the sufferer's life in
terms of broken relationships, employment, general enjoyment, and sometimes, criminal
conviction. It can be a complicated area with a range of variations, and this course aims to
give a comprehensive CBT solution. The course is written by William Davies, author of the bestselling Overcoming Anger and Irritability book (Constable & Robinson) and parallels it
to a degree.

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The aims of the course:

The course aims to provide you with a good understanding of the causes and maintaining factors for irritability and anger, and the necessary range of CBT techniques to produce an effective intervention.

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What the course covers:

A clear theoretical model: the interplay between the "primitive brain" (the limbic system and cerebellum) and the "rational brain" (the cerebrum). This is a model which "hits the nail on
the head" for many people who regularly experience anger and irritability. They can readily
imagine the neurological processes described, happening inside their own heads.

The number of case examples is very well received. Examples range from the relatively
trivial (irritation at someone leaving a door open near a draught) to the tragic (a man getting
so angry with his wife that he murders her in a fit of rage). This means that you are able to
identify with a number of the examples and clinicians report using Overcoming Anger and
Irritability as a standard text in treating anger and irritability.

It is against the background of having a clear theoretical model and a number of case
examples that the techniques are discussed. The interventions described are explicitly based
on cognitive behavioural therapy and, therefore, in line with modern CBT will be grouped
under the following headings:

Cognitive.  For example "attribution of intent". This is where, when you find that something
that somebody does is irritating, you "attribute intent" to that person. In other words, you
think they are doing it deliberately to annoy you. Or, in a slightly milder version, simply not
caring whether it annoys you or not. Most of the major interventions on this course are
cognitive ones.

Behavioural.  The simple expedient of counting to ten, mentioned above, is a good example
of a behavioural intervention. There are much bigger and better behavioural interventions
also; ones which aim at producing a fundamentally less irritable person (rather than a
simple expedient to deal with irritability when it occurs).

Environmental.  Some environments invite displays of anger. For example, someone who
frequently got into fights in his local (rough) pub attempted to remedy this by frequenting a
pub that was 5 miles away and had a much more relaxed atmosphere. Most situations that
cause irritability or anger have an environmental option as one possible solution.

Social.  For example refraining from mixing with people who encourage you to display your anger (get into fights) or, at a lower level, avoiding people who irritate you. (It is not always the case that the irritated person is "irritable", sometimes the other person really is "irritating").

Emotions. Emotions such as depression make one more likely to be irritable, and therefore need to be tackled head on. Relaxed and happy people tend not to be irritable.

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Summary:

The CBT with Anger and Irritability course comprises of a clear theoretical description of
how anger and irritability come about, followed by case examples, and then by relevant interventions for remedying the problem, and is intended for all professionals working with
this widespread and destructive problem.

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Download printable Microsoft Word information Sheet


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How do I book a place on this course?
 
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To book a place on this course either call: 0116 2555 963, email office@apt.ac or select
one of the options below.

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"Fabulous course and exceptionally delivered. Thoroughly enjoyed how the course was delivered. Content fantastic and handout material far beyond my expectations. Can't wait to attend more to develop my professional career."

Heather Featherstone, Family Interventions Keyworker


"A very well structured course, brilliantly taught. Very easy to use with patients at the counselling centre and at the surgery."

Joanna Dadge, Practice Nurse/Counsellor


"I thoroughly enjoyed the course. The variety of media through which it was presented was engaging and interactive. The material was relevant and up-to-date. The surroundings were particularly comfortable and inviting and I found the presentation of the course very professional."

Anne Marie Conlon, Counselling Psychologist


"Especially helpful and interesting presentation through changing presentation style repeatedly, i.e. good use of role play, group exercises, DVD etc. helped with concentration. Many thanks."

Claire Dowe, Specialist MH Practitioner


"I have really enjoyed the course and look forward to implementing what I have learnt to practice."

Rachel Dickinson, Staff Nurse


"This is the core of my current caseload, 80-90% angry clients. This course has consolidated my knowledge of anger and added new skills to it. Surely very relevant to my job."

Thubs Quthu, Primary Mental Health Worker