title: An experiential approach to the inpatient anger management group.
abstract: Groups that target aggression on the inpatient milieu usually use psycho-educational and cognitive-behavioral techniques. In contrast, this article presents an experiential approach that targets the moment-by-moment experience within the inpatient group. It makes unique use of group-closing relaxation exercises that facilitate cohesion, consolidate the affectively charged material generated during the session, and reorganize patients' emotional/cognitive understanding of themselves and the world around them. These groups also give patients the opportunity to negotiate the affective residue associated with past aggressive acts, and the opportunity to examine the personal meaning and underlying assumptions behind ongoing group interactions. We describe several techniques or modes of intervention. The authors also use case examples to illustrate the theory, technique, and impact the approach can have on its members.
authors.affiliation: Chicago-Read Mental Health Center, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pica
authors.forename: Scot D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Welches
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect; D000786:Anger; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003463:Cues; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods; D012649:Self Concept