When Should a Live or Online Anger Management Class be taken?

As one of the leading providers on both live and online anger management classes, this question often gets asked by prospective consumers to our programs. There are some fundamental differences between live and online anger management courses. These differences are both in the delivery of the programs as well as the techniques used to teach the material.

The first thing to consider is whether or not an anger management class is the appropriate intervention for ones particular situation. While we offer both court approved anger management classes as well as classes for corporate executives, couples and families, there are varying reasons to attend. Some individuals attend classes because they have been mandated to do so by either the court or probation, while other may have been refereed by their employer, spouse or family member.

Anger management is a class; it is not psychotherapy or a substitute for medical advice. Anger management should teach skills or tools to participants in areas such as: communication and listening, emotional and social awareness, empathy, improving judgment and impulse control, forgiveness, expectation management, stress management, and a variety of other interventions. If this is not what you were expecting in an anger management class, then you may need to get a referral from your local provider to a more appropriate environment.

Live anger management classes are well suited for those that have schedules that allow themselves to attend a weekly class at the same time each week. I recently had a judge give me this definition: “A live class is defined by a class or program where you are physically at the office location of anger management provider”. Live classes should be taken by a qualified anger management professional or psychotherapist with specialized training in anger management. Some of the advantages of a live class include feedback from other participants, and weekly intervals to practice skills taught in the class.

Online anger management classes are best suited for those that may have a difficult time attending a live class due to a busy work schedule or other family commitments that do no permit them to attend a standing weekly class. An online class is defined by a class that is taken over the Internet through the use of a computer. Online classes are deemed “interactive” when there are either tests or quizzes, chat or forums, video or audio, or a combination of any of these. Online classes, such as the ones we offer at AngerClassOnline.com, are the most accepted and recognized online anger management classes in the nation. Online programs should allow students to access them at varying times throughout the day or night from any internet based computer. Classes should be effective, affordable, and allow flexibility for the participant to take the classes when it is convenient for them.

Ari Novick, Ph.D.
AJ Novick Group, Inc.- Anger Management
Anger Class Online – Online Anger Management Classes

How Online Anger Management Classes Work

The AJ Novick Group's, Anger Class Online is the standard of excellence in online anger management classes throughout the United States, Canada and abroad. With the advances of technology we have been able to develop and create the highest quality learning experience while still maintaining the integrity of our anger management model and curriculum.

Unlike many other online programs, which are simply just requiring the user the download PDF's or they must be present at certain times during the day for chat's or videos, our online programs are interactive and available 24 hours a day. Anger Class Online uses a combination of content, videos, short quizzes and a new "smart" technology that requires the participant to actually learn, by reteaching material that the participant doesn't understand.

Anger Class Online is the best and most high quality truly online anger management program of its kind. It have been accepted by courts, probation departments, social service agencies and corporations throughout the country. It is ideal for those needing to take a class as part of a court or probation requirement, at the request of their employer, or simply to improve relationships with loved ones. For questions about any of our programs, a real live person can speak with you to answer any questions. A sample of the our programs as well as a course syllabus may be requested at no cost to any court official, judge or H.R. manager. Please call our office at (949) 715-2694.

Ari Novick, Ph.D., LMFT
AJ Novick Group- Anger Management
Anger Class Online

Anger Management Classes- They could save important relationships

By: Ari Novick, Ph.D., LMFT

Anger is one emotion we all have. For some of us anger is the primary way we express our needs when we get upset. What is interesting about anger is that it is usually a response to some other emotion we are having. Really give it some thought. Think about the last time you were really upset. Were you upset because someone hurt your feelings? Perhaps it was because you felt blamed or were minimized? Anger is usually a secondary response on the “emotional food chain”. There is usually some other emotion that precedes it. Learning to understand our true feelings that get masked by anger is the first way to understand how we can express our anger more effectively.

Taking a class in anger management can be really helpful. Anger management classes are not just for people that broke the law and get sent by the courts. Anger management classes are used by corporations, managers, law offices, school personal, families and volunteer. Most good anger management classes teach skills that many of us just don’t learn in school or in life. You will learn better ways of communicating so that your true feelings and needs get expressed.

Most anger management classes teach skills in assertiveness. Learning to be assertive will help get your feeling, needs, and mood expressed in the most appropriate way. When we speak assertively, we do it in a reasonable tone, we don’t use profanity, we make good eye contact, and we feel good about ourselves. The opposite of being assertive is being aggressive, passive-aggressive or just passive.

You will also learn ways to reduce stress. When we reduce stress we feel better. We also help increase our life expectancy because high levels of stress over prolong period of time can have damaging effects to our bodies (and our minds). Anger management classes will often teach you the skills you need to identify and mange stress in ways you never thought possible.

Most anger management classes also teach skills in increasing our empathy. When we increase our empathy we are better able understand the feelings other people might be experiencing. Becoming more empathic gives us the ability to not get as frustrated with others and have better insight into our own feelings. Many anger management classes teach these skills. They are valuable because they help us become better working with others as well as having stronger more rewarding relationships.

Other important areas to look for when taking a anger management class include skills in forgiveness, improving self-talk and optimism, learning to respond instead of react, and improving judgment and impulse control. These important skills should be taught in an quality anger management program.
The bottom line is, don’t wait to have anger ruin a valued relationship. Anger is an emotion that can be understood. Bad behavior can be unlearned and replaced with more positive and appropriate actions. The more you can understand about your own anger the faster you will be able to do something about it. Most people let anger control their lives. In many cases anger has ruined lives by destroying relationships and dissolving partnerships. Learning skills in an anger management class could change your life for the better. Enroll in a class and try it out. Getting the help you need could save you more than realize.

About the Author:

Dr. Ari Novick is the founder of AJ Novick Group, a leading provider of anger management classes and training. He is the co-author of two popular client workbooks in anger management and is an adjunct faculty member at Pepperdine University. Visit www.ajnovickgroup.com for more information on their live programs and www.angerclassonline.com for their online anger management classes.