Quite often many at-risk youth will struggle with anger and often get into a negative thinking pattern. When this occurs, it can quickly cause minor problems to escalate, leading to criminal behaviors and challenges with daily interactions. We use anger control training to help these young men learn to deal with the emotion that often causes so many problems including aggression and self-harm. We use group and individual therapy to discuss scenarios and have the youth exchange feedback to understand conflict resolution.
How to Handle Angry Teens
Anger is a challenging and difficult emotion for teens. Anger is typically a secondary emotion, masking other emotions such as sadness, shame, fear, embarrassment, frustration, or hurt. When teens can’t cope with their emotions, they tend to lash out. Fortunately, there are ways to open the lines of communication and handle your angry teen. Here’s how.
Be mindful of your own stress levels.
When your child lashes out in anger, it’s easy to become angry and stressed yourself. Instead of immediately reacting to their anger, take a moment to calm down before starting a healthy conversation.
Identify the problem.
Start the conversation by asking your teen to put into words what is making them angry and upset. Sit and listen without any judgment or giving advice. Always use “I” statements during discussions to eliminate arousing the defenses of your child.
Make healthy lifestyle changes.
Change can be healthy for teens. It can help bring balance back into their life. We recommend creating structure, including regular mealtimes and bed times. This will help make your teen feel safe and secure. Start encouraging exercise and healthy eating to ease depression, boost energy, and relieve stress.
Ogden Residential Therapy Center
Our facility is set up to allow students to fly fish, ride horses, and enjoy local hiking. In this supportive and therapeutic environment, your child will benefit from professionals who are committed to helping them succeed and handle their anger.
For more information about our residential therapy program, contact Canyon River Ranch in Ogden today.
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