Anger Management Workbook

Anger Busting Workbook

Page 198

Randy: I forgot.

Therapist: He is Joe Runs-His-Mouth, born in Muleshoe, Texas.

Joe: Actually, I am Joe Robinson, born in Chicago, Illinois.

Therapist: Oh, no! Now you are confusing us! (Fake misery. Laughter.) Okay Randy.

What is Joe's name and where was he born?

Randy: His name is Joe Robinson, born in Chicago, Illinois. His name is Bill Dartmore. I don't remember where he was born.

Therapist: Tell him Bill.

Bill: Dalhart, Texas.

Therapist: Now your name.

Randy: I am Randy Duncan, born in Dallas, Texas.

The purpose of that exercise was to establish:

• That you are running the group.
• This is not a discussion or process groupmore of a class.
• We are playing by your rules.
• You are not going to get into explaining and arguing.
• You are willing to get as tough as needed to get appropriate participation.
• You preferred to make things fun and have a good time.
• When it came your time, you were going to participate in the group activities as well not likely you are going to get everyone's name and city and state of
  birth correct. This way they will get a free swing at you having a low I.Q. and Alzheimer's. Your response will be? Laughter and agreement: I think I am the
  worst one. (Take a one-down response when attacked.)

Introduction

Option 1: Leader says: Now we are going to go around the room and everyone gets two minutes to say how they got here and how they feel about it. After that, the topic is closed from here on out.

Option 2: Leader says: I know you all got here by mistake. The police are horrible these days on domestic violence calls, especially if you live in a city with a mandatory arrest policy. I know you guys were sleeping quietly in bed when your wife got drunk, slipped, fell down, bumped her head and called 911 and blamed you. You were cuffed and taken downtown.