This document outlines the structure and components of a 10-week mindfulness-based anger management group for individuals in substance abuse treatment. The group will include 8-10 clients and be led by one therapist and one counselor. Sessions will focus on psychoeducation, mindfulness exercises like breathing techniques, and monitoring anger-provoking events. The goals are for clients to learn anger management skills and reduce stress and anger through mindfulness. Screening and assessments will be conducted to ensure appropriateness and measure outcomes. The group will follow a structured timeline and address topics like identifying anger triggers during the initial sessions.

1. Mindfulness
with Anger in
Recovery
Claudia Chandler

2. Group Formation
 Adults aged 18-55
 Primary Diagnosis Substance Abuse
 Currently in an In-Patient (IP) Drug and
Alcohol Rehabilitation Program
 10 weekly sessions
 Group is 90 minutes
 Group members are self referred

3. Group Formation
 Group includes:
 1 Therapist
 1 Counselor
 8 Clients, same gender as counselors
 Similar stage of change -
(Contemplation/Action)

4. Assessment
 Pre-Screening Interview
 Step 1: Identify needs, expectations and
commitment
 Step 2: Challenge myths and
misconceptions the group members may
have
 Step 3: Convey information (confidentiality,
stages, procedure and informed consent,
roles and balance)

5. Formal Measures
 The Group Therapy Questionnaire
 Variables that may effect group
participation
 The Group Selection Questionnaire
 Problems related to deficits
 NEO – Five Factor Inventory
 Personality Inventory

6. Exclusions
 Hostile, angry or highly aggressive, paranoid, in an
active drug and/or alcohol addiction, antisocial,
sociopathic or prone to somatoform disorder
 Stress response of psychological decomposition
where the ability to function normally is gradually
lost and replaced by psychotic behavior
 Persons prone to suicidal or homicidal behavior
 Persons unable to show interpersonal
engagement, interpersonal learning and gaining
insight due to biopsychosocial reasons

7. Goals
 Client will attend Anger Management Groups
consistently, and client will learn 2 Anger
Management Skills and implement them.
 Client will reduce and control anger and
stress (significantly lowering their risk for serious
health problems, including heart disease and
high blood pressure, among others) by
teaching the individual how to accurately
examine their triggers and their perceptions of
situations, and learn healthy, constructive
ways in which to express their anger and
frustrations.

8. Interventions
 Psychoeducation
 Handouts
 Ratings Scales
 Homework
 Bibliotherapy

9. Group Structure Timeline
 1. Brief mood check-in/update
 2. Bridge from the previous session
 3. Review of the homework
 4. Discussion of the agenda items
 5. Open discussion
 6. New homework assignment
 7. Summary and feedback discussion

10. Sessions 1-3
 Session 1: Provides an introduction to the
program facilitator and to the training
program. It also serves to establish goals for
the participant.
 Session 2: Provides an introduction to the
processes related to the emotion, anger
 Session 3: Focuses on introducing the Body
Scan technique, which is the first of the
mindfulness-based exercises to be introduced
in this program

11. Sessions 4-5
 Session 4: Covers a review of the
obstacles experienced by participants
during the body scan technique and
suggestions for overcoming obstacle
 Session 5: Includes an introduction to the
3-Minute Breathing Space technique and
an introduction to the Anger-Provoking
Events Calendar activity.

12. Sessions 6-8
 Session 6: Includes an activity that
introduces the 3-minute breathing space
as a coping mechanism
 Session 7: introduction to the
Acceptance, Allowing, and Being
exercise.
 Session 8: Problem-solving exercise

13. Sessions 9-10
 Session 9: Review, reinforcement, and the
connection between the models
 Session 10: Provides feedback to the
facilitators. The participant is encouraged
to discuss what was learned group and
what obstacles are left to overcome

14. Ethical Concerns
 During the initial phase of information
gathering, the ethical problem should be
identified and defined
 Group leader hypothesizes possible
consequences of several outcomes and
evaluates
 *Multiple roles may arise in this particular
group as the therapist and clients may have
contact with each other outside the group

15. References
 Burlingame, G. M., Fuhriman, A., & Johnson, J. E. (2002).
Cohesion in group psychotherapy. In J. C. Norcross (Ed.) ,
Psychotherapy relationships that work: Therapist
contributions and responsiveness to patients (pp. 71-87).
New York, NY, US: Oxford University Press.
 Couch, R. (1995). Four steps for conducting a pregroup
screening interview. Journal For Specialists In Group Work,
20(1), 18-25. doi:10.1080/01933929508411321
 Kelly, J.R. (2007). Mindfulness-based and cognitive-behavior
therapy for anger-management : An integrated approach.
PCOM Psychology Dissertations. Paper 68.
 Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of
group psychotherapy (5th ed.). New York, NY, US: Basic
Books.