You're facing a patient's anger head-on. How do you keep your emotions in check?

Start by recognizing that anger is a secondary emotion, meaning that another emotion is driving it-- like fear, sadness, or frustration. Express that you want to understand why someone is angry. Genuine curiosity keeps you in an intellectually curious headspace--rather than an emotionally reactive one. Always remember that you dealing with someone's intense anger or other emotions is rarely about you. Keeping this in mind will help you stay compassionate and respond with kindness, rather than worsening the situation with additional volatility.

I discuss the anger, I allow the client to explore what lays behind the anger, I might have been clumsy and its ok to be wrong, take accountability and apologise and go back to the exploration. Being comfortable with clients feelings no matter the feeling creates real strength in the relationship itself. Being able to recognise what's important to understand rather than react defensively as it is their feeling and understanding the what's, whys, hows, whens, results in growth through awareness and process and organically through trust of feelings in a therapuetuc relationship that leads to change. A magical and privileged place to be.

Recognizing and understanding one's emotional triggers is indeed the first step toward maintaining professional composure in high-pressure environments. To build on this, healthcare professionals could benefit from engaging in regular reflective practices, such as journaling or peer discussion groups, which can provide deeper insights into emotional triggers and coping mechanisms. Additionally, institutions can support this awareness by offering workshops on emotional intelligence and stress management techniques. These initiatives not only aid individuals in managing their responses but also foster a supportive workplace culture that prioritizes mental well-being and patient care quality.

Sometimes anger is just a reflection of the frustration that arises from the mental distress.? The best way to handle this is to identify the triggers as early as possible. These triggers are responsible for the frustration and then renders the patient anger. After trigger identification, try to address the same immediately, and always assure the patient that you, as a professional, are there to take care of all this in the future as well.

In therapy, I remind myself that a patient's anger is not a personal attack but a manifestation of their distress. This perspective helps me maintain professional composure and empathy. I focus on active listening, ensuring the patient feels heard and understood. By creating a safe, non-judgmental space, I can explore the root causes of their anger, whether it's fear, pain, or frustration. To manage my own emotional responses, I use deep breathing and positive self-talk. Reflecting on the session afterward, possibly with a supervisor, helps me process my feelings and ensures I provide the best care without becoming emotionally overwhelmed.

As a Clinical Psychologist offering psychotherapy, there are bound to be moments in sessions, when our client's parts get triggered for something we said/ did or something they mis- percieved and assumed. One of the best ways to approach a. Client who is angry is to get curious about their anger, to create enough openness in our system to welcome their wrath. If our defenses come in the way, to silently acknowledge them, and ask them to give room for us to give an active listening opportunity to the client. This often allows opportunity for the client to vent, express and acknowledge where the concerns stem from.

Count your breathing—avoid accidentally co-regulating to theirs. Open your palms toward them to show you mean no harm. Deliberately step back to give them a little space. Wait for them to finish and ask “is there more?” The act of deliberate waiting may require attention to “self-in-body,” like recognizing where you feel contact between your body and clothing or seat.

To enhance these techniques, it could be beneficial to incorporate mindfulness training into regular professional development. Mindfulness practices, such as guided meditations or yoga sessions, can improve one's ability to remain calm and present during stressful encounters. Additionally, role-playing exercises during team meetings can provide a safe space for healthcare workers to practice maintaining composure and applying calming techniques in simulated high-stress scenarios. This not only prepares them for real-life situations but also builds confidence in their ability to handle challenging interactions while focusing on patient care.

In moments of stress or overwhelm, it’s important to ground yourself and regain a sense of calm. One effective strategy is deep breathing. By taking slow, deliberate breaths, you can help to activate your body's relaxation response, reducing the intensity of stress and bringing yourself back to a more centered state.

Also, in my experience, it is important to keep in mind that patients and families are under a tremendous amount of stress in dealing with health issues. There may be other issues on top of what is already a very stressful situation as well. You never know what else is going on in their lives. It is important to allow patients and families a little grace because it is always difficult to cope with illness.

Building on this, healthcare providers might also benefit from training in non-verbal communication techniques, such as maintaining eye contact and nodding, which can further validate the patient’s feelings and foster a more therapeutic interaction. Additionally, integrating feedback sessions where patients can discuss their experiences with healthcare providers might reveal new insights into the effectiveness of these communication strategies. Such initiatives not only enhance patient satisfaction but also equip healthcare providers with the tools to manage their emotional responses effectively, ensuring that patient care remains the foremost priority.

In addition to what has been suggested, it could be beneficial to incorporate specific training sessions focused on conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques. Such training can empower healthcare professionals to handle intense situations confidently while reinforcing their boundaries. Furthermore, creating a clear, accessible protocol for situations where safety becomes a concern can ensure that staff know how to act swiftly and appropriately. This not only safeguards the healthcare professionals but also maintains a safe and respectful environment for all patients.

I was once a children's safeguarding manager and had to inform a father that his child had been taken into care. The father, Adam, was a heroin-user with a record of violence so, as well as inviting him to my office I invited four police officers who positioned themselves in the next-door room in case I was attacked. Adam was not happy with the news and picked up a metal framed chair holding it above his head. Time suddenly slowed down as I realised however fast the police moved I could be seriously hurt. Then I heard a voice say, "Do you want me to be honest with you?" Adam paused and nodded. The voice continued "Well I can't be honest when I'm scared out of my wits so could you put the chair down" which he did! Thank you voice!

This highlights the importance of collaborative support in managing the stresses of healthcare work. Building on this, it could also be valuable to formalize peer support groups within healthcare institutions. These groups could meet regularly, providing a structured space for healthcare workers to share experiences and exchange coping strategies in a confidential setting. Additionally, integrating mental health resources, like access to counseling or stress management workshops, directly into the workplace can emphasize the institution’s commitment to the well-being of its staff. By creating a culture that actively supports mental health, healthcare providers can ensure that they are just as cared for as the patients they serve.

We as therapists can keep our emotions in check by firstly, being aware about self. Which involves working on self before initiating therapy sessions with individuals. Which may include, going to therapy or taking supervision. Second, understanding triggers for self and what do those triggers convey, feel. It would help in understanding more about self. Thirdly, understanding why client has expressed anger and exploring it as it could be the transference playing its role. Lastly, helping client understand they ways of expressing and communicating feelings, anger etc. Also, therapist is a human being at the end of the day. Thus, following self care routine and taking breaks is important irrespective of having a bad day or good day at work.

To counteract the frequency of anger you may practice maintaining a focus between intention & forgiveness. I learned this from Power vs Force, the author is David R Hawkins.

When you’re faced with a patient's anger during a session, it's crucial to stay grounded and composed. One of the best ways to do this is by practicing mindfulness. When the tension rises, start by taking a deep breath and focusing on the present moment. This simple act creates a pause, giving you the space to choose your response rather than react impulsively. Keep your awareness non-judgmental—acknowledge both your emotions and the patient’s without labeling them as good or bad. This allows you to empathize with their feelings without absorbing their anger. Remember, your calm presence can turn a difficult situation into a moment of understanding and growth. M

You hold space for that anger. It's normal and natural part of grief. You hold space for that anger. It's normal and natural part of grief. You hold space for that anger. It's normal and natural part of grief. You hold space for that anger. It's normal and natural part of grief. You hold space for that anger. It's normal and natural part of grief. You hold space for that anger. It's normal and natural part of grief. You hold space for that anger. It's normal and natural part of grief. You hold space for that anger. It's normal and natural part of grief.