Anger Management Chronic anger not only damages your relationships, it may damage your health. Research indicates that anger increases the risk for developing medical disorders and has an effect on blood pressure, cardiovascular reactivity, platelet aggregation, and coronary heart disease. Over time, particular types of anger can contribute to the progression of carotid artery atherosclerosis and also plays a significant role in depression, headaches and chronic pain. In addition, anger interferes with one’s ability to cope with life’s stressors. Sierra Counseling and Neurotherapy offers an individualized anger management program based on one’s particular type of anger. A needs assessment is completed using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, and a family history and pattern of anger. The program is tailored to address the identified needs of each person. For example, some people verbally express anger aggressively while others may bottle anger up. Neither of these behaviors is healthy. Clients are taught to identify their symptoms of anger and learn to interrupt ineffective responses. Components of the program include healthy assertiveness, as opposed to unhealthy aggression, problem-solving, and understanding the positive versus negative aspects of anger. If desired, neurotherapy can be included and it is effective for reducing the intensity of anger and bringing it within a healthy range of expression.