Anger is a normal human emotion — but when it becomes difficult to control, it can damage relationships, careers, and your own wellbeing. The good news: anger is one of the most treatable presentations in psychology.
Our registered psychologists in Melbourne provide evidence-based anger management counselling for adults, adolescents, and families across four clinic locations and via Telehealth.
WorkCover, NDIS or TAC approved? YOU PAY NOTHING.
If your claim has been approved, we bill your funder directly. Zero out-of-pocket cost — no gap, no upfront payment, nothing.
Anger itself is not the problem — it is a natural response to perceived threat, injustice, or frustration. Problematic anger occurs when the response is disproportionate to the trigger, difficult to control, or leads to harmful behaviour (Novaco, 2010).
Common presentations include:
Anger may be worth addressing if you notice:
Recognising these patterns is the first step (DiGiuseppe & Tafrate, 2007).
Problematic anger is typically maintained by a combination of cognitive appraisals (interpreting situations as threatening or unfair), physiological arousal, and behavioural habits that provide short-term relief but worsen the pattern over time.
Effective treatment addresses the full cycle:
Research shows psychological treatment for anger is significantly more effective than no treatment, with large effect sizes (DiGiuseppe & Tafrate, 2007).
Our psychologists use the most rigorously studied anger treatment approaches:
The most extensively researched anger treatment approach (DiGiuseppe & Tafrate, 2007). CBT targets the thoughts, physiological arousal, and behaviours that maintain anger problems. Includes cognitive restructuring, arousal reduction, and behavioural skills training.
Teaches psychological flexibility — observing angry thoughts without acting on them, clarifying values, and committing to behaviour aligned with those values rather than reactive impulses. Particularly useful where anger is linked to rigid rules about how others ‘should’ behave (Eifert et al., 2006).
Mindfulness training reduces physiological reactivity to anger triggers and creates space between stimulus and response. Particularly effective for chronic irritability and rumination, which fuel anger long after the original trigger (Borders et al., 2010).
For anger rooted in early life experiences — such as abandonment, abuse, or unfair treatment — Schema Therapy addresses the deep-seated patterns that drive disproportionate anger responses in adulthood.
Your psychologist will complete a thorough assessment and recommend the most appropriate approach for your specific pattern.
Your first appointment is a 50-minute assessment. We explore your anger patterns, triggers, history, and the impact on your life and relationships — without judgement.
We offer court-admissible letters confirming attendance and progress where legally required.
Treatment typically involves 8–16 sessions, though this varies depending on complexity and goals.
We offer appointments in-clinic at our Mooroolbark, Wheelers Hill, Reservoir, and Melbourne CBD locations, as well as Telehealth sessions from anywhere in Australia.
WorkCover, NDIS or TAC approved? YOU PAY NOTHING.
If your claim has been approved, we bill your funder directly. Zero out-of-pocket cost — no gap, no upfront payment, nothing.
Do I need a referral for anger management counselling?
No referral is required for a private appointment. A Mental Health Care Plan from your GP allows access to Medicare rebates.
Can I get a letter for court or my employer?
Yes. We can provide letters confirming your attendance and participation in anger management treatment. Please advise us at the time of booking.
Will you contact my partner or family?
Not without your consent. Sessions are confidential. We may suggest involving a partner or family member in some sessions if clinically appropriate and you agree.
Is anger management effective?
Yes — research consistently shows psychological treatment produces significant reductions in anger frequency, intensity, and expression, with gains maintained at follow-up (DiGiuseppe & Tafrate, 2007).
How is this different from a ‘course’ or group program?
Individual psychology sessions provide personalised assessment and treatment tailored to your specific anger patterns, history, and goals — not a generic group curriculum.
Changing your relationship with anger is possible. Our team can help you build the skills to respond, not react.
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Borders, A., Earleywine, M., & Jajodia, A. (2010). Could mindfulness decrease anger, hostility, and aggression by decreasing rumination? Aggressive Behavior, 36(1), 28–44. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.20327
DiGiuseppe, R. A., & Tafrate, R. C. (2007). Understanding anger disorders. Oxford University Press.
Eifert, G. H., McKay, M., & Forsyth, J. P. (2006). ACT on life, not on anger: The new acceptance and commitment therapy guide to problem anger. New Harbinger Publications.
Lee, A. H., & DiGiuseppe, R. (2018). Anger and aggression treatments: A review of meta-analyses. Current Opinion in Psychology, 19, 65–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.04.004
Novaco, R. W. (2010). Anger and psychopathology. In M. Potegal, G. Stemmler, & C. Spielberger (Eds.), International handbook of anger (pp. 465–497). Springer.
