Free printable identifying anger triggers worksheet
Help clients identify their anger triggers
What is an anger trigger?
Anger triggers can best be defined as anything that initiates angry emotions within a person. By helping clients to identify things that “push their buttons”, they are able to gain an understanding of why they feel the way they do. This is the first step in learning to harness angry emotions and turn them into positive ones.
Triggers are unique
Just as every client is different, so are the triggers that initiate angry feelings within. Life experiences have the greatest impact in how anger triggers choose to surface. For instance, if a client was made fun of for their weight as a young child, they may react angrily to comments about their weight as an adult. Explore the list below for a few common anger triggers:
- Disrespect of personal space
- Receiving insults
- Receiving threats
- Being lied to
- Being corrected
- Being accused of something that is untrue
- Being talked over or interrupted
- Being ignored
How can anger triggers be used to measure improved anger management?
Instruct clients to record their anger triggers every week in the worksheet below. As they’re able to identify the deeper causes of their anger over time, you should note a difference in their responses, whether it be in the form of deeper thought or fewer entries. Scan and save the completed worksheet to your computer then upload the file to the client’s documents in Ensora Mental Health for safe keeping. Your clients can also send their therapist completed forms as an attachment via secure messaging in the client portal, where the therapist can then download the form and upload to the client’s file.
Related resources
Providing clients with new and unique activities can make the process of learning to manage anger more enjoyable. For additional free resources to help improve anger management, check out our anger management resource center. Each worksheet, template and activity is easy to print or download and email to make both you and your client’s lives easier.
