Learn to address anger with self-compassion and care using approaches informed by CBT, ACT and mindfulness practices. Rather than seeing anger as a “problem to solve,” we’ll consider it a valuable messenger with something to teach us. 

Simulated Session: This course includes a simulated session between Lydia Ogden and a client, Rachel (played by an actor), who is struggling with episodes of intense anger.

Course curriculum

    1. Welcome to the Course!

    2. Our Plan

    1. Overview

    2. What is Anger?

    3. Introduction: Theories of Anger

    4. Theories underlying Mindful & Self-Compassionate Work with Anger

    5. What's the Point of Anger?

    6. Chapter Review

    1. Overview: Introducing the Approach

    2. The Importance of Assessment

    3. Overview: A Mindful & Self-Compassionate Approach to Anger

    1. Overview: Exploring the Problem & Laying the Groundwork

    2. Practice Example of "Rachel"

    3. Exploration

    4. Provide Psychoeducation

    1. Overview: Mindful Self-Compassionate Work & End of Session Debrief

    2. Theory behind a Mindful Self-Compassionate Approach to Anger

    3. Invite Clients and Get Grounded

    4. Skill 1: Visualizing the Situation

    5. Skill 2: Labeling the Angry Moment(s) Without Judgment

    6. Skill 3. Naming the Purpose of the Client’s Specific Anger

    7. Skill 4: Awareness of Emotions in the Body

    8. Skill 5. Meditation to Soften-Soothe the Body

    9. Simulated Session Continued: A Mindful Self-Compassionate Approach to Anger

    10. After the Exercise: Debriefing and Ending the Session

    1. Overview

    2. Reflecting on the Session as a Whole

    3. Evaluating When to Use a Mindful & Self-Compassionate Approach to Anger

    4. Session Pacing & Timing

    5. Helping Clients Sit with Intense Emotions

    6. Managing Anger in the Moment

    7. Debriefing with the Client

    8. When a Client Struggles With the Exercise

About this course

  • $29.00
  • 2.5 CE Credits (Clinical)
  • Online, self-paced, noninteractive course
  • Available in the U.S. and Canada

Meet the Instructor

Lydia Ogden

Lydia Ogden, PhD, MSW, LICSW is an Associate Professor at Salem State University’s School of Social Work. A licensed psychotherapist with a private practice, Dr. Ogden brings extensive experience working with individuals facing mental health challenges. A widely published and award-winning scholar and educator, she is passionate about equipping social workers with innovative, evidence-based approaches to enhance clinical practice and client well-being.

Course Details

Credits: This course offers 2.5 clinical continuing education credits. Learn more

Cost: $29

Format: This is an online, self-paced, noninteractive course that includes reading and recorded videos (asynchronous course).

Registration: To register for this course, click the “Buy Now” button. This course is self-paced, so you can join at any time after completing your registration and payment.

Practice Level: Intermediate

Target Audience: Clinical social workers interested in learning more about working with anger in session.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this training, you will learn to:

  • Describe the purpose of anger.

  • Explain to clients new ways to think about anger.

  • Apply skills to help clients recover from intense anger episodes.

Continuing Education Credits

Continuing education credits are available to social workers in most U.S. states, and in all Canadian provinces. If your state uses CE Broker, you will need to manually upload your certificate of credit. Learn more

Additional Information

Refund & Cancellation Policy: GetPractice will fully refund requests from learners who have not completed a course. If a learner has completed all requirements of a course and received their certificate of completion, they are no longer eligible for a refund. 

Accessibility: Please email [email protected] to discuss any questions or requests regarding accessibility & accommodations. 

System Requirements: This course is hosted on the GetPractice site. To complete the course and all required course materials, learners will login to the GetPractice course site. Learners will need a computer or smartphone and an internet connection to complete the course.

Course Completion Requirements: To complete the course and receive their certificate of credit, learners will complete all online lessons in the course, a posttest (a passing score of 80% is required, learners can retake the test if needed), and a course evaluation. Once these components are successfully completed, the learner’s certificate of credit will be available immediately on the course page and in their learner account.

Availability Notice: GetPractice courses are only available for sales in the U.S. and Canada.

Questions or Concerns: Please reach out to [email protected] 

Course Creation Date: June 17, 2025

GetPractice LLC, provider #2517, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period:11/14/25-11/14/26. Social workers completing this course receive 2.5 clinical continuing education credits.

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