Tag Archives: groups

Handout: Anger Words

03 Wednesday Jul 2024

Posted by in Creative Therapy Tools, Handout

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Anger groups are usually straight forward …. OK, no group is like that. They each have their own dynamics which are dependent on many factors.

I used to work as a float at a hospital and would walk onto a unit to facilitate a group of (usually) adults with a mix of diagnoses none of whom I had ever met before. In those situations I usually keep it very basic and thus very safe.

The list of words below was generated over a few years of asking folks in groups,’what are your angry words’. I have not included the usual assortment of curse words but there were quite a few favorites in the uncensored list.

If a group is not very talkative, this list is a good way to start the conversation. I might ask folks to circle 6 words that most express their typical (or specific) anger. We then share, or if in a larger group have folks share with a partner.


ANGER WORDS
anger disgust grumpiness rage
aggravation dislike hate resentment


agitation envy hostility revulsion
annoyance exasperation irritation scorn
bitterness ferocity jealousy spite
contempt frustration loathing torment


cruelty fury mean-spiritedness vengefulness
destructiveness grouchiness outrage wrath
add your own …..

angry

Emotional Intelligence

15 Tuesday Sep 2020

Posted by in emotions, positive, Therapy

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I often work with groups using lists. In movement therapy as well as psychotherapy, educational and process oriented groups lists are a great structure for groups to explore thoughts, and/or feelings. Here is a list that often comes up in groups ten suggestions about feelings.
1. Become emotionally literate. Label your feelings, rather than labeling people or situations.
Use three word sentences beginning with “I feel”.
Start labeling feelings; stop labeling people & situations msclip-210
“I feel impatient.” vs “This is ridiculous.” I feel hurt and bitter”. vs. “You are an insensitive jerk.”
“I feel afraid.” vs. “You are driving like an idiot.”
2. Distinguish between thoughts and feelings.
Thoughts: I feel like…& I feel as if…. & I feel that
Feelings: I feel: (feeling word)
3. Take more responsibility for your feelings.
“I feel jealous.” vs. “You are making me jealous.”
Analyze your own feelings rather than the action or motives of other people. Let your feelings help you identify your unmet emotional needs.
4. Use your feelings to help make decisions
“How will I feel if I do this?” “How will I feel if I don’t?”
“How do I feel?” “What would help me feel better?”
Ask others “How do you feel?” and “What would help you feel better?”
5. Use feelings to set and achieve goals
– Set feeling goals. Think about how you want to feel or how you want others to feel. (your employees, your clients, your students, your children, your partner)
– Get feedback and track progress towards the feeling goals by periodically measuring feelings from 0-10. For example, ask clients, students, teenagers how much they feel respected from 0 to 10.
6. Feel energized, not angry.
Use what others call “anger” to help feel energized to take productive action.
7. Validate other people’s feelings.
Show empathy, understanding, and acceptance of other people’s feelings.
8. Use feelings to help show respect for others.
How will you feel if I do this? How will you feel if I don’t? Then listen and take their feelings into consideration.
9. Don’t advise, command, control, criticize, judge or lecture to others.
Instead, try to just listen with empathy and non-judgment.
10. Avoid people who invalidate you.
While this is not always possible, at least try to spend less time with them, or try not to let them have psychological power over you.