A Comprehensive Treatment Program for a Case of Disturbed Anger

Santanello (2011) presented the case of a man with long-term anger problems who does not meet the criteria for any DSM-IV-TR diagnosis for treatment recommendations by several authors. This paper presents a comprehensive treatment package applied to this case. Of crucial importance is the building of a therapeutic alliance. In addition to refusing to agree to the goals and tasks of therapy, this client has intimidated several previous therapists. Strategies to build the alliance are discussed. Cognitive restructuring techniques aimed at the client's narcissistic needs for recognition by others and resentment about past abuses are all detailed. The use of imaginal exposure to anger triggers and strategies to learn new adaptive behaviors are also explored.